MEET Mark Southgate, who has been appointed managing director of ITV Meridian.

Mark, who has 18 years' experience in TV and joined the channel back when it was called Television South, adds MD to his roles as controller of news and regional programmes.

He replaces Lindsay Charlton, who moves to take full responsibility for the development of ITV Local, the broadband service currently on trial in the Meridian region.

"When I started work as a newsroom journalist in Maidstone, I never thought I would one day wind up as managing director," said Mark. "I'm delighted to be asked to lead the talented, professional and flexible team that we have at Meridian."