Former Creative New Zealand chair Peter Biggs is the new chair of the New Zealand Book Council.

He replaces Maggie Barry, who stood down from the council's board in July following her move to Auckland.

Acting chair Owen Marshall says the Book Council's board is delighted Peter Biggs has agreed to lead the board.

"Peter has an ideal background to provide leadership for the Council," Owen Marshall says. "A former chair of Creative New Zealand, he is also a successful businessman and has governance experience in various organisations. Above all he has a long standing enthusiasm for cultural pursuits, especially literature and music."

Peter Biggs was also recently announced as chair of the Government's Cultural Philanthropy Taskforce, and, in Melbourne, is a member of the board of the Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas; the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; and the Chunky Move Dance Company.

"New Zealand literature has been a deep part of my life for as long as I can remember," he says. "I regard it as a privilege to be able to chair the New Zealand Book Council and contribute to the promotion of New Zealand's extraordinary writing tradition and talent - both within our country and around the world."

Peter Biggs is Managing Director of Clemenger BBDO in Melbourne, winner of the B&T Agency of the Year in 2007 and 2008, Campaign Brief Agency of the Year in 2008 and AdNews Agency of the Year in 2008.

Before taking up his appointment in Melbourne in March 2006, he was Managing Director of Clemenger BBDO in Wellington, New Zealand. During his time at Clemenger BBDO Wellington, the agency was New Zealand Agency of the Year in 2002 and 2004, and he was chosen as Agency Chief Executive of the Year in 2003.

Peter was Chair of the Arts Council of New Zealand (Creative New Zealand) from 1999 to 2006. He was also a member of the Prime Minister's Growth and Innovation Advisory Board from 2002 to 2006, and was on a number of other Boards, including Wellington's Westpac Stadium, The Asia: NZ Foundation, the New Zealand Institute, Creative HQ and Ngai Tahu Communications.

He has a first class honours degree in English Literature and Latin from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He is a sought-after speaker on branding, marketing, creativity and leadership.

Peter is married with four children and has a farm in the Wairarapa.