Channel 4 announced yesterday that Aaqil Ahmed had been appointed to take over as Multicultural Commissioning Editor in addition to his current responsibilities.

The newly created role was announced a few months ago as part of a broader set of initiatives to foster greater diversity within its workforce and programming.

The new role will include commissioning programmes for 9pm and 10pm slots.

Dubbed the ‘Next on 4 initiatives’, they will be funded by a ring-fenced budget of £2million.

Ahmed’s recent programmes include the current Islam season on Channel 4, the centrepiece of which was Antony Thomas’ landmark documentary The Qur’an.

Previous commissions include such acclaimed titles as Priest Idol, The Cult of the Suicide Bomber, Battle for the Holy Land, God’s Waiting Room and God Is Black with Robert Beckford.

Julian Bellamy, Head of Channel 4, said: “Aaqil already has a strong track record in commissioning powerful and provocative films for Channel 4. His new role will enable him to extend his role into 9pm and 10 pm, and will encourage new multicultural ideas and talent to find a home at the Channel.”

Aaqil Ahmed said: “This is an exciting moment with Channel 4’s renewed commitment to multicultural programming and I’m looking forward to helping to deliver a distinctive take on what modern multicultural programming should be.”

Channel 4 also plans to put measures in place to reflect all kinds of social diversity including ethnicity, disability, nationality, regionality, age and gender.