It follows the success he had in the role Rio 2016, where Britain's 366-strong team finished second in the medals table behind United States.

The team became the first ever to win more medals at the Games immediately after playing host.

"I am incredibly honoured and proud to once again be asked to be Chef de Mission for Team GB, and I look forward to working with our National Governing Bodies to ensure that every athlete that qualifies onto Team GB has the opportunity to achieve their best performance in Tokyo in two years’ time," England said.

England also served as head of the British team at the 2015 European Games in Baku.

He was previously deputy Chef de Mission at six Olympic Games, including London 2012, and Chef de Mission at several Olympic Youth Festivals.

"Mark’s re-appointment as Chef de Mission maintains an important continuity for Team GB and allows planning to continue with absolute certainty, following the same format we have successfully followed with Mike Hay during the Olympic Winter Games [in Pyeongchang]," said British Olympic Association chief executive Bill Sweeney.

"Mark’s experience and insight, coupled with the trusting relationships he has built across the Olympic sport sector, means we will go into Tokyo as well prepared as we have ever been. 

"We have already signed a number of key strategic partnerships including our pre-Games training facilities in Japan.

"The focus of the organisation is now on Tokyo 2020, for what we think will be a demanding but equally rewarding Olympic Games."

Paul Ford, meanwhile, has also been appointed Chef de Mission for the second edition of the European Games in Minsk in 2019.

Mahdi Choudhury will lead a team of young British athletes aged between 15 and 18 for the third Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in October.