Terence Stephenson, professor of child health at Nottingham University, replaces Patricia Hamilton, who has held the post for the last three years.
Stephenson has previously held the positions of dean of the medical school at Nottingham University, and non-executive director at Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust.
Stephenson said: "My main aim for the next three years will be to make sure that children and young people in the UK are looked after paediatricians who are the best trained and best supported in the world."
"Though much progress has been made in child health over the past 10 years, significant challenges remain - such as rising levels of childhood obesity, falling immunisation rates and achieving a sustainable paediatric workforce."
