Broadcast editor Lisa Campbell has been named festival director of the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival.

Campbell, who has worked for Broadcast for 10 years and as its editor since 2007, will leave to take up the position in February.

Her appointment was announced by the festival’s executive chair Elaine Bedell, who said: “Lisa’s appointment is fantastic news. She’s got a great reputation and has proved as editor of Broadcast that she’s unafraid to tackle difficult subjects.

“She’s full of ideas about the festival’s future, and we can’t wait to start working with her.”

Campbell’s time in charge of Broadcast has been characterised by its increased focus on online news coverage, digital newsletters and bringing greater depth and context to the magazine.

She also oversaw the Broadcast Awards and Digital Awards, plus events, supplements and specials including the flagship Indie Survey. She also ran a successful Expert Women campaign.

Campbell, who replaces Louise Benson, described the Edinburgh TV Festival as “an incredible event”.

She said: “I’ve always wanted to be more involved in it and I’m really looking forward to making this year’s festival as confident, insightful and courageous as possible.”

Conor Dignam, chief executive of Broadcast’s publisher MBI, added: “Lisa has been an outstanding editor of Broadcast. She has put the brand at the heart of industry debate around diversity, and the relationship between commissioners and indies.

“She has done fantastic work developing our online daily news as an essential service and deepened the analysis and insight in the weekly magazine. Over the last year she’s helped develop a successful podcast and new conferences such as Diversify and the Commissioning Forum. She has also built a brilliant team on Broadcast and she leaves the brand in great shape”.

He added: “While I’m really sorry to see her go, I’m pleased we will continue to work closely with Lisa in her new role at the Edinburgh TV Festival”.

New executive chair

ITV director of entertainment and comedy Bedell will also step down as the festival’s executive chair after next year’s event.

She will be replaced by ITN Productions editorial director Chris Shaw, with whom she worked closely to appoint Campbell.

Shaw has attended the festival since 1991 and has worked on both the advisory and execution committees.

He said: “I’m really looking forward taking over as executive chair at a time when the British TV industry has such an outstanding reputation worldwide.

“Elaine is certainly a hard act to follow but I’m really looking forward to working closely with our new festival director Lisa Campbell and the entire festival team to make it the best it can be.”

Bedell said: “I couldn’t be handing over the festival reins to anyone better than Chris. He’s been a very loyal, very dedicated member of the exec committee and a fantastic support to me personally over the last 4 years. I know the festival will thrive under his stewardship.”