The British Council has appointed Andrew Horton as director of digital, partnerships and innovation. Reporting to the chief executive, Sir Ciarán Devane, Horton will sit on the executive board of the British Council and will join the organisation in March 2016.

Horton was director of content and brand licensing for Time Inc. (UK) and previously held numerous senior positions at IPC Media. He was also a non-executive board member for NLA Media Access, the content and database business representing 4,380 properties to 9,700 clients and the Publishers’ Licensing Society, a not-for-profit organisation owned by three media trade associations.

Horton says, “I am delighted to be joining the British Council, a unique organisation. Its ability to build trust and create opportunities around the world has never more been needed and I look forward to working with my colleagues and team to accelerating its contribution."

As director of digital, partnerships and innovation, Horton will have overall responsibility for the strategic direction of the British Council’s partnerships globally as well as the development of new digital products across the organisation.

Sir Ciarán Devane says, “Andrew has a strong commercial background in digital and media, both in UK and international markets. He brings substantial knowledge and experience in developing and launching new products in the digital space, and in developing large-scale strategic partnerships, all of which will play a significant role in driving innovation and change here at the British Council.”