Dick Powell, co-founder and director of global design company Seymourpowell, will succeed Anthony Simonds-Gooding as D&AD chairman.

Powell is a past president of D&AD and is a recipent of the design organisation's President's Award for his outstanding contribution to creativity.

He is a regular contributor to radio and TV programmes about design and has sat on the boards of the Design Council and Design Business Association.

D&AD chief executive, Tim O'Kennedy, paid tribute to the service of Simonds-Gooding but said Powell would be able to step into his shoes.

“Anyone who’s ever met the man will tell you that Anthony Simonds-Gooding is a one-off, and we’ve been extremely lucky to have him for all these years," said O’Kennedy.

“He steered D&AD toward success and through significant challenges over the years, and was a source of both excellent advice and much hilarity throughout. No doubt about it, he’ll be missed.

“But if there’s anyone who could plausibly step into Anthony’s shoes, it’s Dick Powell. Dick has a rare combination of world-renowned creative credentials and great business acumen, and that will be of great benefit to D&AD. He’s as smart as hell, I’ll certainly benefit from his mentorship - as will we all."

As well as running his own business Powell was global design director to Samsung Electronics and is currently a member of the International Advisory Panel for Design in Singapore. He also holds the group creative director post at Loewy, Seymourpowell's parent company.

He said Simonds-Gooding was leaving D&AD in good shape despite the downturn and that he was passionate about contiuning the organisation's "mission for creative excellence" and education remit.

"No doubt about it - Anthony will be a hard act to follow," Powell said. "I had the privilege of working closely with him during my 5 years on the Executive Committee, two of which he mentored me as President and I learnt a great deal.

"My role as Chairman is, I think, to ensure good governance, to embed a long term strategic vision, and to mentor and advise the Management team and the Exec along the road to its delivery.”