Erik Huggers is shifting the BBC’s mobile controller Matthew Postgate to be its research and innovation controller. The Beeb said Postgate will be working with industry and academia to create a long-term strategy focused on broadband; he is to build long-term relationships with universities and research institutes.

Future media director Huggers is rewarding Postgate for relaunching mobile (see our interview), taking iPlayer on to iPhone, iPod touch and Nokia (NYSE: NOK) N96, lauding his “real passion for research”. He also led a trial of live TV simulcasting on mobile that was successful but small.

The BBC’s R&D unit - which has brought us Nicam, Teletext, DAB, colour TV - celebrated its sixtieth birthday in August but faced a staff revolt over plans to move from its stately home at Kingswood Warren, Surrey, in to White City, London. It’s this situation Postgate will inherit. But Postgate is moving without anyone yet tapped to fill his mobile post - he will also retain his that role “in the short term” until a successor is found, the Beeb said.

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