LONDON--An independent inquiry into the BBC's Jimmy Savile crisis has drafted in Kreab Gavin Anderson to provide communications support.

The firm has been appointed by Nick Pollard, the former head of Sky News who has been charged by the BBC's executive board with reviewing Newsnight's investigation of former presenter Jimmy Savile.

The appointment comes as the BBC struggles to get to grips with a crisis that has already claimed its director general George Entwistle, along with  director of news Helen Boaden and deputy Stephen Mitchell.

The Pollard Review will seek to establish whether there were any failings in the BBC’s management of the Newsnight investigation relating to allegations of sexual abuse of children by Jimmy Savile. The corporation chose not to air the programme in question last year.

The Review will also look at the BBC’s handling of material that might have been of interest to the police or relevant authorities. If all the documentation required is provided promptly and in full. The Review is expected to produce a report during the second half of November 2012.  

Kreab Gavin Anderson partner James Benjamin, who is leading the firm's team, confirmed the appointment to the Holmes Report. Benjamin is reporting directly to Nick Pollard. 

The Holmes Report understands that the agency secured the mandate after a number of firms were approached, some by Reed Smith, the law firm that is working on the Pollard Review. 

Pollard is chief executive of British Forces Broadcasting, following a career in British journalism that has spanned 40 years, including a decade as head of Sky News and nearly 13 years at ITN.