The government has named the man who will take over control of GCHQ in the spring.

David Pepper has spent almost 30 years at the spy base and will take up his new post in April.

The outgoing director, Sir Francis Richards, is leaving to become the Governor of Gibraltar

A spokesman for GCHQ told BBC News Online it was a crucial time for the organisation.

He said: "While tackling increasingly sophisticated targets which threaten the UK, we are also preparing to move to a new state-of-the-art headquarters building."

"David brings an intimate knowledge of GCHQ's business and its key customer requirements."

Mr Pepper joined GCHQ in 1972, becoming a board member eight years ago.