FremantleMedia Enterprises Asia Pacific chief, Jon Penn, is set to join BBC Worldwide and lead its commercial arm as it moves to zero in on the Australasian region.

Penn will join BBC Worldwide Australasia in April in the new managing director role and replaces former general manager Tony Iffland and interim leader, Blair McQuade.

McQuade has now been appointed chief commercial officer for Australasia.

The new MD role has expanded upon the former general manager role, with Penn to be responsible for the region’s P&L under BBC Worldwide’s plans to “significantly increase revenue in the territory within the next five years”.

The strategy to increase the BBC Worldwide’s focus on the “hugely important” local and New Zealand markets will kick off on April 2 next year.

Penn will report directly to Marcus Arthur, BBC Worldwide’s president of the UK and Australasia, who is based in London.

On Penn’s appointment Arthur said: “I’m really pleased that Jon has decided to take up our challenge as MD of Australasia, a role that will have increased responsibility in BBC Worldwide’s new organisational structure.”

“His strategic influence across so many platforms, properties and brands at FremantleMedia is impressive, not least because of the outstanding commercial growth he’s drawn from them.

“I know he’s the right person to lead BBC Worldwide Australasia on to bigger and even better things as the region takes charge of its own P&L for the first time.”

While at Fremantle Media, Penn was been instrumental in the success of the MasterChef Australia brand and founded the company’s Australian brand licensing and interactive media division in 2001.

Penn added: “I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to guide BBC Worldwide Australasia through such a pivotal point in its history. I have nothing but admiration for the business and I look forward to building upon the huge success already achieved by its talented workforce and building upon Blair’s brilliant leadership since Tony Iffland departed.”