Maria Balshaw, director of Manchester’s Whitworth art gallery, will be named Sir Nicholas Serota’s replacement as Tate director.

Balshaw has held her position as director of Whitworth since 2006. In 2011 she became joint director of both Whitworth and the Manchester Art Gallery. In 2014, she was named strategic lead for culture by Manchester city council.

A Tate spokesperson told Attractions Management that the appointment was "not confirmed", although Prime Minister Theresa May is expected for formally agree the move in the next week or so.

According to The Guardian, who first reported the appointment, Balshaw has been the favourite for the position since Serota announced his resignation in September, with Tate’s trustees selecting her as his replacement.

Balshaw would take over from Serota, who was named Arts Council England (ACE) chair by culture secretary Karen Bradley last year. He is scheduled to take up his new role on 1 February, replacing Sir Peter Bazalgette who completes a four-year term at the end of this month.