The Georgia Aquarium, in Atlanta, US, has appointed Dr Brian Davis as its new president and CEO.

Davis has worked with the aquarium since 2003, serving as its director of education until 2006. In 2010 Davis served as the aquarium's VP of Education and Training until 2014, before taking on the role of president and CEO of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Connecticut. In 2018 he returned to the Georgia Aquarium as executive VP, a role he held for two years before being promoted to president and CEO in January 2020.

In his new role, Davis will work closely with the leadership team and board of directors to further the aquarium's reach as a research and aquatic preservation facility, as well as create a host of world-class, up-close experiences with the animals that will aim to inspire a new generation of marine biologists and researchers.

"I'm honoured to lead this great organisation as its new president and CEO into 2020 and beyond," said Davis.

"I'm grateful to continue the hard work our team has been doing over the last several years and build upon our ongoing success," he added.

Davis replaces Mike Leven, who retired from his role as CEO and chair at the end of last year. Long-serving board member Steve Koonin replaces Leven as chair.

"Brian has been a key part of the aquarium over the last 15 years," said Koonin, "This is a banner year for the aquarium with our largest expansion opening in the fall. I'm confident in Brian's leadership and experience to lead us into a new decade and continue the aquarium's reputation as one of the best aquariums in the US."