Encompass has appointed former ITV director of broadcast technology Ian Whitfield as its UK managing director.

Whitfield will oversee all operations at the Stephen Street playout facility, which Encompass acquired from Ascent at the start of this year.

He will report to Encompass chief executive Simon Bax and chief operating officer Bill Tillson.

“The London facility has great people, but it has lacked some leadership and focus. We want to aggressively expand our footprint,” said Bax.

Bax added that Encompass would look to increase the number of UK channels it plays out from the London facility, as well as growing its European channel distribution.

At ITV, Whitfield helped streamline on-air operations, launched new networks and managed the playout and delivery of television channels on behalf of UTV and STV. Before joining ITV, he was responsible for the development of Harris’ Landmark.