CALGARY - Former British Columbia premier Christy Clark has been named to the board of directors for Calgary-based Shaw Communications Inc.

The cable television and telecommunications company says Clark, who was premier from 2011 until 2017, was chosen because of her extensive contacts in politics and business across Canada and especially in its biggest market, the greater Vancouver area.

Clark retired from politics in August last year after the B.C. Liberal party was defeated on a confidence vote, 44-42, thanks to an alliance between the B.C. NDP and Green parties.

Before becoming premier, Clark served as an MLA for nine years, and held cabinet positions for four of those years.

In 2005, she took a break from public service and worked as a columnist, commentator and host of the "Christy Clark Show" on CKNW radio.

In May, law firm Bennett Jones announced Clark would be joining its government affairs and public policy team in Vancouver.