MUMBAI: Former British High Commissioner to Canada Sir Andrew Burns has been appointed to the BBC's Board of Governors as International Governor.

Burns, who will take up his new post on 1 July 2005, replaces Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, who stood down from the Board in December 2004.                 

BBC chairman Michael Grade said: "I welcome the appointment of Sir Andrew Burns and look forward to working with him. His distinguished public service career will benefit licence payers throughout the UK and his wealth of experience of foreign affairs and continuing interest in international issues will serve the BBC's international audiences very well."

Burns said, "I am delighted to be joining the BBC Board of Governors at such an exciting time. The BBC has an enormous role to play in promoting the UK to audiences overseas and reflecting the world back to viewers adn listeners at home. I look forward to playing my part as International Governor, and to serving licence payers across the UK to ensure the BBC delivers the quality broadcasting they expect."