Chris Dercon appointed as director of Tate Modern

Chris Dercon, 52, has been director of the Haus der Kunst since 2003.

For more than twenty years he has taken a leading role in the development and direction of major international cultural institutions in New York and Rotterdam.

"I am delighted to join the team at Tate Modern, says Chris Dercon.

"Transforming Tate Modern is an incredibly inspiring challenge allowing us the chance to create a new kind of art institution, fit for the 21st century, for London's many different audiences.

"Thanks to its exceptional staff, Tate Modern is constantly evolving, almost like an art movement in itself. Indeed Tate Modern is many things for many people and I am thrilled that I will be part of it."

Chris Dercon will move to London and take up the appointment at Tate Modern in spring 2011.

In March Tate announced the departure of Vicente Todoli after seven years in charge of Tate Modern. Todoli is the second director of the gallery on Bankside. The post was first held by Lars Nittve who oversaw the opening of the gallery a decade ago.

Todoli leaves Tate this month.