MUMBAI: BBC Global News has restructured its India operations to create a new position of chief operating officer to be helmed by Preet Dhupar, the Director Finance and Operations of BBC Global News and BBC Worldwide in India.

Having brought together its TV and online interests globally, the BBC has created this role in India in order to ensure an integrated and consistent focus on its English language news interests during a period of rapid change and growth in the Indian media sector.

As the COO of BBC World News India, Dhupar will oversee BBC?s commercial news operations which includes BBC World News and BBC.com/news.

In addition to her existing remit, Preet will take responsibility for determining the BBC?s commercial priorities and targets for news across India and for monitoring performance against them in terms of advertising revenues, content distribution and overall audience growth.

BBC Global News COO Jim Egan says, ?This appointment comes at a crucial time for BBC Global News Limited in India as we build on recent successes and seek to expand onto new and evolving platforms. Preet will bring increased focus to the market, helping to support our ambition of bringing world class international journalism to dynamic and sophisticated Indian audiences.?

As Director Finance and Operations, Dhupar has been responsible for providing operational leadership and management of the BBC?s commercial businesses in India and Singapore.

While supporting growth opportunities in the market, her core role has been to provide financial, commercial and regulatory expertise to the business. Prior to this, Preet was part of the BBC?s global finance team based in London.

A chartered accountant by qualification, Preet joined the BBC in 2000 and was instrumental in setting up operations in India.

Before joining the BBC, she worked with Becton Dickinson India in a strategy and financial planning role as part of the team that established the company?s business in India. She has also worked for Caltex and KPMG in India.

On January 14, BBC World News launched from new studios in Central London with a refreshed line-up of presenters and programmes, such as Global with Jon Sopel.