The Courtauld Institute of Art has announced that Lord John Browne of Madingley has been named the institution’s new chairman. Lord Browne will succeed James Hughes-Hallett after he completes his full term, and will take up the post in September.

“I am delighted that Lord Browne will be joining us as chair of the governing board at a particularly exciting time for the Courtauld,” director Deborah Swallow said. “His passion and commitment to the arts coupled with his vast business experience and understanding of the higher education arena make him an excellent choice as we embark on Courtauld Connects, the biggest program of development since the Courtauld’s move to Somerset House in 1989. I look forward to working with him and the rest of the board in delivering our ambitious plans over the next five years.”

Lord Browne has previously held a number of positions at major cultural organizations. From 1995 to 2005, he was a trustee of the British Museum. Since 2007, he’s been a trustee at Tate, and will step down from his role as chairman this summer. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as chairman of the international advisory board of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford.

“The Courtauld embodies two of my greatest passions: the arts and education. It is the art world’s preeminent educational institution, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve it. I look forward to working with the board, professor Swallow, and her team to guide the Courtauld through its biggest transformation in almost two decades,” said Lord Browne.

In May 2016, the institute announced that it was launching a $73 million renovation project that would create additional space for the exhibition of the Courtauld’s growing permanent collection, restore its Great Room, revamp its historic Fine Rooms, add a temporary exhibition space, remodel the entrance, build a new learning center, and update its storage and art handling facilities for its department of conservation and technology. Among the other projects Courtauld Connects will finance are the digitization of millions of its art objects and the launch a new public research forum.