Apple has promoted one of its chief designers, Sir Jonathan Ive, to chief design officer.

Formerly vice president of design, overseeing both interface and industrial design, Ive, 48, is considered the mastermind behind many of Apple's successful products released during his 23 years with the company.

According to CEO Tim Cook, Ive will continue to be responsible for all of Apple’s design work,"focusing entirely on current design projects, new ideas and future initiatives."

"Jony is one of the most talented and accomplished designers of his generation, with an astonishing 5,000 design and utility patents to his name. His new role is a reflection of the scope of work he has been doing at Apple for some time," he said.

Ive first mentioned the promotion in an interview with Stephen Fry in the Telegraph, in which he suggested he would like to "travel more."

It is suspected the promotion will allow Ive, who has two children, to return to live in England.