Premier Foods general counsel Suzanne Wise is set to leave the FTSE 100 company to take up the same role at Network Rail.

The move, which follows the departure of Network Rail's group company secretary Hazel Walker at the end of September, will see Wise start as general counsel at the rail operator in early 2012.

As GC, she will report to group finance director Patrick Butcher, and will join the company's group executive board, while taking responsibility for compliance, data protection, business ethics and access to information.

While at Premier Foods, Wise developed the company's first in-house legal function and led a number of major projects, as well as overseeing several large acquisitions.

Network Rail chief executive David Higgins said: "Suzanne joins us at a pivotal time when the company and the industry are undergoing a period of intensive change. Suzanne brings great experience from the FTSE 100 and 250, which will be invaluable in helping the executive drive the company forward to deliver a bigger, more reliable and affordable railway."

In October 2009 Network Rail completed a review of its UK legal panel, with Eversheds winning a first-time appointment alongside Clifford Chance, Addleshaw Goddard, Simmons & Simmons, Berrymans Lace Mawer, Kennedys, Maclay Murray & Spens and Bond Pearce on the 12-firm roster.

Meanwhile, Premier Foods, the UK's largest food producer, which owns brands such as Hovis, Mr Kipling, Branston and Bisto, has not yet decided on who will succeeed Wise as GC.

In March last year the company set up its first formal roster of external legal advisers, with Slaughter and May, Eversheds and Wragge & Co named on the line-up.