M&C Saatchi has announced the appointment of Dame Heather Rabbatts as senior independent non-executive director to the board of the company with immediate effect.

Rabbatts has held a number of executive and non-executive roles, including in local government, infrastructure, media and sports. She currently holds a broad range of non-executive directorship roles, including at Associated British Foods plc, UK charity Time’s Up, and Soho Theatre.

Rabbatts was previously a non-executive director of various companies, including Kier Group plc and property group Grosvenor Britain & Ireland. She was the first woman on the board of the Football Association in more than 150 years.

Zillah Byng-Thorne, M&C Saatchi’s acting executive chair, commented: “On behalf of the board, I am delighted Heather has agreed to join M&C Saatchi. Heather brings a wealth of non-executive experience as well as a deep understanding of our industry and will be a very valuable addition to the board.”