Buddy

It's good to know that Ken MacQuarrie won't be lonely at the BBC in his new role as Director of Nations and Regions. Bruce Malcolm, formerly Chief Operating Officer, Scotland, has emerged at his side as Head of Service Development - a job unadvertised, and, as yet, without published responsibilities. Bruce will be on £150,818 pa.

Ken has taken a good nudge up from his previous salary as Director of Scotland - from £192,800 to £257,800. Still not quite as much as Pat Loughrey was taking home when the post was closed in 2009 - £311, 580.