Former Ofcom chief policy partner Kip Meek (pictured)  has been confirmed as non-executive chairman of Project Canvas, the IPTV joint venture led by the BBC.

He takes over from the BBC’s director of future media and technology Erik Huggers who has headed the project for a year.

Entertainment website Digital Spy pointed out that as chairman, Mr Meek will lead the search for a chief executive for joint venture whose partners are the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, BT, Arqiva and TalkTalk.

It added that in taking up the Cavas role, Mr Meek will step down from his full-time role at Ingenious Media and give up non-executive roles at the Broadband Stakeholder Group and marketing software firm Phorm.

“We have the opportunity to transform television,” Mr Meek said of his new role. “I look forward to working with the board and the executive team to make this happen.”

Mr Huggers added: “Project Canvas is of huge importance to the digital media industry, as it will secure the future of free-to-air broadcasting in the digital age.

“This is a major moment for a project started by the BBC and developed in partnership with the wider industry."