Christopher Frayling, Rector of the Royal College of Art, was today announced as the new chairman of the Design Council. He will take over the post when John Sorrell stands down at the end of March 2000 after more than six years as chairman.

'I am very, very excited at the prospect of chairing a body as authoritative and stimulating as the Design Council,' said Christopher Frayling today. 'In recent years, it has remade itself as a key player in the fields of business, education and government, carrying the design message. My aim will be to enhance and develop that role, and continue the excellent work by the Design Council in building new partnerships - especially with the design community.

'I would like to pay tribute to the current chairman John Sorrell for so skilfully piloting the Design Council into this pivotal role over the last few years. I am looking forward to building on his legacy and ensuring the Design Council's influence is enhanced even further in the future.'

John Sorrell commented: 'I am delighted that Christopher has agreed to become chairman. He has real talent and vision and is just the right person to build on the considerable successes the Design Council has achieved, thanks to the skill and hard work of Chief Executive Andrew Summers and the whole team. I wish Christopher the very best of luck.'

Design Council Chief Executive Andrew Summers said: 'Christopher Frayling is the perfect choice for us. He has all the qualities we could hope for - focus, vision, inspiration, and in-depth expertise on design and design issues. John will be an exceptionally difficult act to follow, but I'm confident Christopher will rise to the challenge.'

Christopher Frayling is a renowned broadcaster, historian and author. He has been a film archivist at the Imperial War Museum in London and a lecturer at the universities of Exeter and Bath.

But he is perhaps best known for his work at the Royal College of Art, now widely recognised, particularly in the international business community, as the leading postgraduate university for design. Christopher Frayling was appointed its first Professor of Cultural History in 1979 and went on to establish pioneering courses in the history of design, modern cultural theory and arts administration. In 1996, he was appointed Rector.

Christopher Frayling's prolific television work has included Design Classics and award-winning programmes such as the six-part Channel 4 series on advertising, The Art of Persuasion. He wrote and presented the first BBC Design Awards.

He has published more than a dozen books, including two tracing the history of art and design at the RCA and one on the film Things to Come, as well as numerous articles for national newspapers and other publications ranging from Design Week, Campaign and Blueprint to The Times Higher Education Supplement, Creative Review and Design journal.

The following have been appointed Members of the Design Council by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Stephen Byers for a period of three years. The appointments are unpaid, although expenses can be claimed.

John Crathorne
Chief Executive of Stoves plc, based in Merseyside, who make highly innovative, well-designed cookers and other kitchen appliances. Also a member of the Manufacturing Council of the Confederation for British Industry.

Gary Lockton
Chief Executive of Deep End Design, a leading London creative consultancy specialising in digital media. An active participant in the work of the Government's Creative Industries Task Force.

Jonathan Sands
Chairman of Elmwood Design, one of the country's fastest growing design consultancies, a key player in Yorkshire's Design Excellence initiative, also former chairman of the Design Business Association (1995-97). Regular lecturer at business conferences and universities and founding partner of the European design network, TOTEM.

Rumi Verjee
Chairman of Thomas Goode & Co, the distinguished china, glass and silver retailers founded in 1827, known for innovative design and support for new design and technology. Also Chairman of 'Bromptons,' the new development in Chelsea, London. Has formerly served for the Aga Khan Foundation.