The BBC has appointed Robert Johnston as HR Shared Services Director. He replaces Lesley Hopkins, who indicated last year to the BBC her intention to leave this summer, and who leaves the Corporation in June 2007.

In his new role Robert will oversee and develop the BBC's outsourced HR operations service, which is provided to the BBC by Capita plc. Robert Johnston was Vice President, Business Development at Accenture HR Services Ltd until December last year. He was previously responsible for the operational delivery of Reward and Exit Services.

A Sheffield graduate, he began his professional career in the NHS, and held personnel posts at Charing Cross Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital. He joined the Cable and Wireless Group in 1986, working in the fledgling Mercury Communications where in 1991 he became HR Director. He left in 1997 and became an independent consultant and in 1999 he was appointed Interim HR Director at the Financial Ombudsman Service. In 2000 Robert was appointed HR Director at Oncue Telecommunications Ltd and joined Accenture a year later in 2001.

Stephen Kelly, Director, BBC People, said: "Robert Johnston has wide experience in human resources, and particular experience in managing HR service operations that will be vital in his new role at the BBC. "I am delighted that Robert is joining us to assist us in achieving excellence in the delivery of our outsourced HR operations service."