Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw has announced that Tim Bevan, co-founder and co-chair of Working Title Films, has been appointed as the new chair of the UK Film Council.

Bevan will take up the position on 30 July for a four-year period and will replace the outgoing chair, Stuart Till. Bevan said: "British film is enjoying great critical and commercial success, but at the same time everyone is facing the transition to a new digital era, the very real challenges of the credit crisis and the impact of online piracy.

"We must adapt and consolidate to respond to those new realities, working with Government, listening to our stakeholders, and carrying out a comprehensive review of all our activities, both industrial and cultural." The council, which is responsible for the economic and cultural development of British film.