Microsoft Appoints Ex-BBC Man as U.K. Director

Microsoft has appointed Ashley Highfield to the position of Managing Director and VP of its recently established U.K. Consumer and Online division. The software giant merged its commercial and online units in September.

Highfield will now be responsible for growing Microsoft’s online ad operations, as well as sales, marketing, programming, business development and operations for Windows, Windows Mobile, Windows Live, MSN, and Live Search within the U.K.

Highfield joins Microsoft from Kangaroo – the on-demand video joint venture between BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4, which he joined as CEO in June. Prior to Kangaroo, he was director of new media and technology at the BBC, where he was responsible for the BBC’s online portfolio, and perhaps most notably, the launch of iPlayer.

Quoted in a press release from Kangaroo yesterday, Highfield said, “I was presented with an amazing opportunity which I couldn’t turn down. I am looking forward to embarking on my new challenge, while wishing everyone at the project continued success.”

Based in London, Highfield will report directly to John Mangelaars, Microsoft’s vice president, Consumer and Online, EMEA.

Kangaroo has appointed Rod Henwood as an interim replacement, though there’s no word yet as to when Highfield will officially leave the project.

Just last week Microsoft made another significant hire in the U.S., appointing former Time Inc. president, Robin Domeniconi, as VP of its U.S. ad operations. Domeniconi will now oversee sales across properties such as MSN, Live Search, and a network of media partners that includes Facebook and WSJ Digital.

Stateside sales responsibility for MSN is now split between two executives; Domeniconi will handle sales for the U.S. audience, while global sales are led by Gregg Albright, senior director of Microsoft digital advertising solutions.

Microsoft declined to comment further on Highland’s appointment.