Long-time media executive Rick Brace is the new chair of MuchFACT, Bell Media announced Thursday.

Brace recently retired from his role as president of Bell Media’s Specialty Channels and CTV Production department after a nearly 40-year career.

Brace oversaw the development of Bell Media’s specialty channels, including Much, MTV, M3, Discovery, The Comedy Network, E!, Space and Bravo.

He also spearheaded the launch of The Social, and oversaw in-house productions including The Marilyn Denis Show, eTalk, InnerSPACE and the annual Much Music Video Awards. Brace first joined the network in 1986 with TSN.

“I am honoured to be a part of an organization committed to funding diverse and talented artists across the country, a fund that has helped to launch the career of some of the most iconic names in Canadian music,” said Brace in a release.

Brace takes over the MuchFACT chairman position from David Kines, who held the role since March 2011.

MuchFACT is a music video, EPK, viral video and website production fund. The cash for the fund is provided by Much and M3, divisions of Bell Media.