Shaw Communications has appointed Barbara Williams as its EVP of broadcasting and president of Shaw Media, putting her at the helm of the company’s 19 specialty networks and Global Television.

Williams moves into the top job at Shaw Media following the passing of previous division president Paul Robertson earlier this month. Robertson lost his long-term battle with cancer at the age of 59.

Williams, having headed up Shaw Media’s content side as SVP since 2010, has been an increasingly visible figurehead for Shaw Media in recent years, taking on key client-facing roles at Shaw’s annual upfront presentation, leading Shaw’s L.A. buying contingent and acting as company spokesperson.

Under she and head programmer Christine Shipton’s purview, Shaw Media has programmed successful Canadian series such as Rookie Blue, Vikings, Lost Girl and Top Chef Canada and launched/rebranded new specialty nets including s H2, Lifetime, FYI, CI, DIY and DTOUR.