Morley will take up the post in November, replacing interim chief executive Malcolm Dawson, who was appointed in May this year on a six-month secondment from the business department.
Department for Transport permanent secretary Philip Rutnam said that Morley brings “a wealth of experience to this crucial role.”
Morley joined the National Archives in 2008 and was made chief executive in 2011. Prior to this he worked at publishing firm Thomson Reuters and he has also worked in the logistics and technology industries.
Dawson was previously chief executive of the Land Registry and has previously worked in a number of roles across government at the Ministry of Justice, Cabinet Office, HM Customs and Excise and the Ministry of Defence.