City commercial and criminal set 36 Bedford Row has hired former Hill Dickinson London head Malcolm Taylor as its first chief executive alongside the recruitment of its first practice managers. 

The recruitment drive forms part of plans to modernise the set, with Taylor joining this week alongside two new practice managers – former 3 Raymond Buildings senior clerk Michelle Simpson and former 7 Bedford Row commercial and employment clerk Christopher Lane.

Taylor was managing partner of Hill Dickinson spin-off Hill Taylor Dickinson, which re-merged with Hill Dickinson in 2006, at which point Taylor became the firm's London chief. He stepped down to become a consultant last year.