Joe Godwin

Joe joined BBC Children’s as a trainee in 1989, becoming an assistant producer, studio director and producer on shows such as 'Record Breakers', 'Going Live' and 'Blue Peter'. In 1997 he became Editor of Children's Presentation before joining Nickelodeon in 2000, where he had a number of jobs including Head of Original Production and Interactive Director.

Joe returned to the BBC in 2005 as Head of Children’s Entertainment, then Head of News, Factual and Entertainment. In 2009 he was appointed as Director BBC Children’s, responsible for all of the BBC's services for children. He led the department’s move from London to Salford in 2011.

In 2015 Joe left the world of children’s media after 25 years to become Director BBC Midlands and the BBC Academy. In 2020 he took up the role of Director of Partnerships for BBC Nations & Regions, responsible for key partnerships across the UK - including the Commonwealth Games and UK City of Culture.

In 2021, he retired and developed a new partnership with a Whippet called Dylan.

As well as being a lifetime patron and board member of the Children’s Media Foundation, Joe is a trustee of Action for Children’s Arts.