Roy Clare, chief executive at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), is to be the new director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum in New Zealand.

Clare is to step down from his role at the end of May, with the announcement coming as the MLA finalises plans to transfer key responsibilities to Arts Council England on 1 October. The MLA has confirmed that Clare will remain with the organisation until the end of May - when a period of consultation with staff ends. He takes up his Auckland role in July.

A new chief executive will not be appointed to replace Clare, with corporate services director Paul Lander to oversee the MLA as it moves towards closure later this year. Clare said: "It was never in my game plan to see the MLA fall victim to the NDPB cull. After a far-reaching cost-cutting overhaul and a relentless focus on supporting the sector in improvement, the MLA was in great shape.

"However, the MLA Board and I also accept the rationale for the reduction in NDPBS generally, and we foresee potential benefits for museums, libraries and collections to be a part of a holistic model for culture and the arts within Arts Council England."