The Telegraph has appointed Chris Forrester, formerly the country manager of Spotify UK, to the newly created role of chief revenue officer.

In this new role, Forrester will lead the company's advertising revenue teams including display ad sales, client strategy and development, as well as Spark, the Telegraph's branded content and data division.

He will also have responsibility for all commerce revenues, excluding that generated by Telegraph Travel and Telegraph Financial Services.

He joins the newspaper with over 20 years experience from some of the industries biggest brands including four years at Primesight, where he first held the position of commercial director and later becoming managing director.

In May 2016 he became country manager of Spotify UK, a role he held until April this year.

The appointment of Forrester forms part of the Telegraph’s ongoing commitment to focus on diversifying into new revenue streams, including advertising, digital subscriptions, travel and financial services and events, in order to offset declines in print.

In 2016 revenues at Telegraph Media Group fell sharply to £295m from £314m in 2015, while advertising revenues declined 12% and circulation revenues 3%, according to TMG accounts.

Forrester will report directly into chief executive Nick Hugh.

Hugh said: “We are delighted to welcome Chris Forrester to the Telegraph in the role of CRO. His extensive experience and forward thinking attitude make him well positioned to lead our commercial efforts into the future.”

Forrester added: "The Telegraph has consistently broken new ground and I am excited to be able to join now, at a time when never before have so many people, from such diverse backgrounds consumed the content we create in so many different ways.”