Danny Boyle, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting, has been appointed artistic director of the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.

Four executive producers have also been named by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to form a team that will oversee all four opening and closing ceremonies. Stephen Daldry has been appointed executive director, creative; Catherine Ugwu is the new executive director, production; Mark Fisher is the executive director, design; and Hamish Hamilton will be executive director, broadcast.

The production centre for the London 2012 Ceremonies Team will be based at 3 Mills Studios, East London, which is to be acquired by the Olympic Park Legacy Company from the London Development Agency. Boyle said: "I'm honoured to have been invited to be the artistic director for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. It's a completely unique opportunity to contribute to what I'm sure are going to be a fantastic Games, I'm really excited to be involved."

LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe added: "Each one of these individuals would hold their own on the worldwide stage and they are joining names like children's author Michael Morpurgo who has created the story behind our highly successful mascots." Image: Danny Boyle (left) with Sebastian Coe - LOCOG