BBC Studios (BBCS) has appointed the former MD of general entertainment pan-African pay TV business Kwesé TV to a commercial director role across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Pierre Cloete has been named commercial director for branded services for Sub-Saharan Africa, reporting to Louise La Grange, senior VP of branded services.

Cloete joins BBCS from Kwesé where he was serving as entertainment MD when the company went into administration last month. He will start the new role on September 1 from his base in Johannesburg.

During his time at Kwesé he also served as head of Sports Digital Content and acting CEO for Kwesé Sports. Prior to that he worked as head of TV and media for Ericsson in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The appointment of a commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa signals our ongoing commitment to the market and a continued local presence on the ground,” said La Grange in a statement.

“Pierre has a proven track record in the African television industry and I am confident that his experience and local knowledge will put BBCS in the best position to achieve our ambitions for growth.”

Cloete said: “I am delighted to join BBCS as commercial director for branded services across sub-Saharan Africa.

“The quality of the BBC channels and its content is first class, and it is an honour to join the BBC Studios team.

“Africa is filled with amazing people that enjoy great stories and love quality content. The potential is ever increasing in Africa as more stories are being told and consumed, and I look forward to adding value to the BBCS team.”

His appointment comes shortly after BBCS restructured its Central Europe, Middle East and Africa region and also after the sudden exit of Joel Churcher, the BBC’s Africa boss, in July.

tagged in: BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle; BBC First; BBC Earth, BBC Studios, BBC World News, CBeebies, Kwesé Sports, Louise La Grange, M-Net, Pierre Cloete