Walt Disney last night named the British executive Daniel Battsek as the new head of Miramax Films, the studio behind hits like The English Patient and Kill Bill.

The appointment follows the split between Disney and Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who built Miramax into a prolific hit-maker, frequently rewarded with Oscar glory.

Its other films have included Shakespeare in Love and Chicago. The brothers will leave the studio when their contract expires in September to start a new company.

Mr Battsek joins Miramax from another Disney division, Buena Vista International, where he was most recently executive vice president of the UK business. Disney said the Weinsteins would focus on completing projects currently in production until they leave, while Mr Battsek will focus on building a new management team.

From October, Mr Battsek will take over all operations for Miramax, including creative, acquisitions, production, marketing and distribution.

Mr Battsek, who will relocate from London to New York, said he had "enormous respect for everything that Miramax stands for".

The Briton joined Disney in 1991 when he was asked to set up a UK company as part of the worldwide distribution network for Buena Vista International.

Battsek created the BVI UK Comedy label, which produced films including Hope Springs, High Heels and Low Lifes and Calendar Girls. The Weinsteins departure had not been unexpected. They clashed repeatedly with Disney's departing chief Michael Eisner.

Issues included the Weinstein's compensation, budgets for Miramax films, the direction of the business and Disney's refusal to distribute the Michael Moore documentary Fahrenheit 9/11.