Unilever general counsel and chief legal officer Stephen Williams has taken up a non-executive director role with Whitbread.

Williams has already taken up the position with the restaurant and hotel company and will remain in his role as legal chief with Unilever on a full-time basis.

Commenting on the appointment, Whitbread chairman Anthony Habgood said: "We are delighted to welcome Stephen to our board. Stephen has great experience of consumer goods and doing business worldwide.

"I am sure that he will make a valuable contribution to the company at what is an exciting time in its development."

In addition to his role with Whitbread, Williams is also a senior independent director with transport company Arriva, a post he has held since 2005, and previously held a non-executive director post with specialist distribution group Bunzl until 2004. He has been with Unilever for 22 years.

The news comes with Whitbread being touted as a potential buyer for rival pub and restaurant company Mitchells & Butlers (M&B). M&B, which owns pub chains All Bar One and O'Neill's, has been the subject of takeover speculation after posting a £274m post-tax loss.

Firms including Slaughter and May, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Allen & Overy would be in line for potential advisory roles on any eventual sale.