London – BBC Worldwide has appointed Simon Danker as its commercial director for independents and new ventures within the content & production business. Danker will be responsible for managing BBC Worldwide’s relationships with independent production companies as well as driving the business forward into new commercial activities. The development of the team’s digital initiatives will be a priority as well as providing a strategic overview of the business. Danker joined BBC Worldwide in 2000 as director of UK and Ireland TV within Global TV Sales. He managed the BBC’s relationship with UKTV and led the development of BBC shows on video-on-demand platforms. In addition to this, he ran the programme sales business to broadcasters in the UK and Ireland. He was promoted to director for digital content partnerships responsible for growing digital revenues through global content partnerships with brands such as iTunes, YouTube, Nokia and Microsoft, in addition to regional tie-ups. Danker’s new role is effective immediately and he will report into Helen Jackson, MD for content & production.