Vines, who has been reporting on the restaurant world since 2004, will take over the position from Jay Rayner, who will remain a member of the voting panel.
A journalist for the past 35 years, Vines has worked on the foreign desk at The Times, as an editor of the Asian Wall Street Journal and as foreign editor of South China Morning Post. He joined Bloomberg in 1995.
He said: "I'm delighted to take on this exciting role. I've long been an admirer of the S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants awards because it is so important to both to the industry and to ordinary diners who appreciate help in finding great places to eat around the world."
Chinese chair
A new chair has also been appointed to the academy in China and Korea. Boris Yu, owner of Uber, China's luxury concierge service, takes over from Albert Wong, who is retiring.
Yu grew up in Hong Kong before coming to the UK to study at the London School of Economics. Growing up, he travelled extensively with his parents, sampling restaurants and hotels across the world at a young age, which he has continued to do in adulthood.
Sue Woodward, event director of the S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants, said: “We would like to thank both Jay and Albert for their great contribution to the success of the World’s 50 Best. We also welcome Richard and Boris on board as regional chairs of the Electrolux World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy.”