Image: The Temperate House at Kew Gardens

Richard Deverell has been named director of London's Royal Botanic Gardens by the Kew Board of Trustees, with the appointment effective from mid-September.

A former member of Kew's board of trustees between 2003 and 2009, Deverell will take up his new position having spent nearly 20 years working for the BBC.

Deverell succeeds Professor Stephen Hopper, who is returning to Australia following a six-year tenure to become professor of biodiversity at the University of Western Australia.

Marcus Agius, chair of the Kew trustees, said: "[Richard Deverell] will be an outstanding new leader for Kew and we greatly look forward to working with him on developing his vision for Kew in the years to come."

Details: www.kew.org