Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota has been named new chair of Arts Council England (ACE) by culture secretary Karen Bradley.

Taking up his new role on 1 February 2017, Serota takes the reins from Sir Peter Bazalgette who completes a four-year term at the end of January.

Serota has spent 28 years at Tate, helping to transform it into a national institution, also seeing the creation and expansion of Tate Modern.

Serota’s influence on London has not gone unnoticed, with the Tate director listed seventh on the Evening Standard’s list of London’s top 1000 most influential people, this year topped by London mayor Sadiq Khan.

“Nicholas has transformed the Tate during his time there, making it one of the leading art institutions in the world, and I am delighted he is taking up the position as ACE chair,” said Bradley.

“He brings unparallelled experience, creativity and wisdom, and will continue to be an enthusiastic champion of the arts in his new role. I would like to thank Sir Peter Bazalgette for his fantastic energy and hard work in the role as he passes the baton to Nicholas.”

The process of finding a new Tate director will begin immediately, with the selection committee made up of trustees and external advisers, including senior artists.

“We have been privileged to have in Nicholas Serota one of the world's greatest museum directors and a leader for the visual arts on a global stage,” said Tate chair Lord Browne.

“Under his leadership, Tate has become a preeminent cultural organisation nationally and internationally, and one of the most visited in the world. He has championed British art and artists throughout the world while at the same time ensuring that Tate has become a much loved, open and accessible institution for the public.

"He leaves Tate in a strong position on which to build for the future. We wish him well as he takes on new responsibilities which will be for the benefit of all the arts.”