Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has hired London-based digital executive, Clive Dickens, to fill the media company's newly created, director of digital and innovation role.

Dickens will now move to Sydney from the UK, where he is the co-founder and chief operating officer of Absolute Radio, to start his new SCA role in Autumn.

Dickens (pictured), who has more than 30 years of international commercial radio experience, said he was “thrilled to be joining SCA”.

"The potential for growth in the Australian and wider Asia Pacific digital economy with SCA ensures this role is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Dickens said in a statement.

“I can't wait to start working with some of the most talented broadcast teams, who are creating some of the most iconic digital and audio content in the world.”

Yesterday, Ten announced the appointment of former DMG Radio Australia digital lead, Rebekah Horne, as its chief digital officer.

In his new role, Dickens will provide strategies for SCA to capitalise on emerging digital platforms with his remit covering audio, vision, online, mobile content streams and experiential events.

Rhys Holleran, SCA’s chief executive officer, said:“Our business continues to see extraordinary growth across its digital platforms and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have Clive’s expertise on board in this ever-evolving space. Yet another outstanding addition to our incredibly talented senior management group.”

Dickens other roles have included acting as an advisor to digital start-ups such as Shazam Mobile, director of UK RadioPlayer Limited, group head of programmes for Capital Radio PLC as well as co-founder and programme controller of Horizon Radio.