Ben Gale is to be Five’s new Director of Programmes, it was announced today.

Gale, currently the BBC’s Commissioning Editor for Features and Formats, will take up his new post, overseeing programming for the broadcaster’s core channel, at a date to be announced soon.

Five’s Managing Director, Content, Lisa Opie, said: “I’m delighted that we have secured such a talented and creative executive as Ben to this key role at the channel.

“This is a tremendously exciting time at Five, both in terms of creativity and ratings success, and I know Ben is the right person to take the main channel onto even greater heights.”

Ben Gale said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Five. The channel has enjoyed a great start to the year and I can’t wait to become part of the Five team and help to build on that success.”

As the BBC’s Commissioning Editor for Features and Formats, Gale was responsible for Nigella Express, Heston Blumenthal’s Perfection and Indian Food Made Easy on BBC TWO and re-launching Crimewatch on BBC ONE. Before being promoted to his current role at the BBC in January 2007 Gale was Executive Producer for Features and Documentaries. His credits included: The Baby Borrowers, Mischief, The Real Hustle and Bafta-winner, The Choir.

Gale joined the BBC in November 2004 from independent production company Wall To Wall where he was Series Editor of the first series of Who Do You Think You Are? Prior to that he spent five years at Lion TV making factual entertainment series for UK and US networks.

Five has recently had seven consecutive weeks of year on year audience growth for the first time since 2003.