She succeeds founding director Paul Woolley, who left the organisation in January, and will take up her new role later in the year.

The appointment was welcomed by Ann Holt, Chair of the Theos Board: “We were very impressed by the standard of the candidates applying for this post, but the interview panel was unanimous that Elizabeth was the strongest candidate.

“A combination of good media experience and an excellent grasp of what Theos is trying to achieve lifted her above the competition.”

Ms Hunter comes to Theos from The Church and Media Network and the BBC.

She said: “I am thrilled to be joining Theos, and look forward to working with the team in delivering high quality, thought-provoking research and publications.

“This is an exciting moment for public theology. You only need look at the debates about the Census, or the role of faith groups in the ‘Big Society’, or the right balance between equality, religious liberty and human rights to see how the role of Christianity in public life is as central and urgent as it ever has been.

“Theos is ideally placed to inform and engage with these questions.”

Theos was launched in November 2006 with the support of the heads of the Church of England and Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales to conduct research and provide commentary on issues relating to faith and society.