Prime Minister RISH SUNAK has appointed Sir TIM LAURENCE as Chair of the Science Museum Group.
Dame MARY ARCHER stands down at the end of 2023, having served two terms.
Laurence will take over Archer's position for an initial four-year term on 1 January.
Since leaving the Royal Navy in 2010, Laurence's career has focused on built heritage, railways and urban regeneration.
He previously served as Commissioner and then Chair of English Heritage until 2022, overseeing the care of more than 400 historic sites and 40 small museums.
Laurence is a Patron of the Windsor Leadership Trust and the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway alongside a Great Western Railway Advisory Board member.
Laurence commented: "Over the last decade, I have admired from afar the remarkable pace and quality of change across the Science Museum Group and, in recent months, have been fascinated to learn more about the transformations still to come.
"It will be a great honour to lead the Trustees of an organisation that does so much to inspire millions of visitors with the wonders of science."
Director and Chief Executive of Science Museum Group Sir IAN BLATCHFORD said: "Sir Tim's passion and expertise around built heritage will be a great asset to the Group alongside the leadership he will bring to our talented Board of Trustees.
"His experience of leading English Heritage through a period of great change will be invaluable as we continue our own journey of transformation across our five museums and collections care facility."