The former chair of Centrica and AXA UK will join L&G’s board in January, the intention being for him to succeed Sir John Kingman in May.

The Halfords chair, formerly of Royal Mail, will join the board as a non-executive director and board chair-designate on 1 August this year.

This year’s accolades celebrated exceptional non-executive directors, whether they are a ‘safe pair of hands’ or ‘a magician’.

From 1 September, Rachel Addison is to join the board and take a seat on its audit, remuneration and nomination committees.

The independent hospital group has announced who will join its board as non-executive directors to replace those stepping down.