Under Kirstin Furber, who was named people director earlier this year, the focus of HR will be solely on people. Previous head of HR, Deborah Rowland, also led the technology and property divisions at the organisation.
Furber, who is responsible for 2,500 employees at BBC Worldwide, said it became clear this approach was required as she and Rowland worked together on leading organisational change over the past two years.
"We were working on where the business strategy was going in future. It was clear that it needed to be ambitious and closer to the customer.
"We wanted to find out how we could build this business not just in the UK but globally," she continued. "And coming out of the strategy discussions, it became clear that we needed a role that was solely HR and people-interfacing.
"In a media and customer-led industry, our competitive advantage is our people. To have a role focused on people is therefore essential."
BBC Worldwide is a privately owned commercial subsidiary of the BBC. It monetises BBC brands and programming abroad, supplementing the income the BBC receives from the licence fee.
This month the organisation rolls out an initiative called Just Talk. The programme enables senior managers to sit down with employees and discuss whatever is on their minds. Furber described it as an opportunity for managers to have that water-cooler moment with their employees.
"Just Talk does two things," she said. "It clarifies and answers questions when rumours may have got out and it gives feedback to the management team about what's really going on in the workforce.
"The important thing is being real. With changes like this, there is an opportunity for HR to be at the forefront of BBC Worldwide."
