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. 

The chief executive and practice manager roles will focus on 36 Bedford Row's strategy and business development, with existing clerks continuing to look after the day-to-day running of the set. One of the set's aims is to expand in size, although specific numbers and practice areas have not yet been decided. 

The set currently has 84 members, including six silks, and focuses on five core practice areas: employment, consumer, family, public law and crime.

Joint head of chambers Richard Wilson QC said: "36 Bedford Row is a sleeping giant. Since William (Harbage) and I became joint heads of chambers last year, we have been determined to move forward by focusing on increased specialisations within chambers and placing a much greater emphasis on business and client development."

Harbage QC added: "These appointments are the culmination of a major restructuring of how we present ourselves to our clients."