The project board established to oversee the proposed merger between Sport England and UK Sport is to be chaired by Sir Keith Mills.

Sir Keith has been chosen by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to push through the unification of the organisations into one single arms-length agency by 1 April 2013. Responsibilities will also include working with stakeholders from devolved administrations and other home nation sports councils to safeguard the delivery of sport.

Hugh Robertson, minister for sport and the Olympics, said: "[Sir Keith's] unparalleled business experience, combined with a detailed knowledge of our sporting landscape, means he is the perfect person to oversee this work. "The structure of sport in this country must be rationalised and, going forward, it does not make sense to have two organisations, operating out of different and expensive central London locations with the associated administrative costs."

Sport England chair Richard Lewis added: "Sir Keith's appointment is excellent news and very welcome, particularly given the extensive sporting knowledge and expertise that he brings alongside his vast business experience."