Ashurst has made two big-name additions to its leadership team with the appointment of its first-ever independent board members, ahead of the firm's full merger with its Australia arm.

The firm has appointed Robert Gillespie, the former director general of the Takeover Panel, and Commonwealth Bank of Australia chairman David Turner to the boards of Ashurst LLP and Ashurst Australia respectively.

Gillespie joins the board of Ashurst LLP with immediate effect, while Turner will join the board of Ashurst Australia from 1 June, with both set to become members of the firm's global board after the full merger of Ashurst Australia and Ashurst.

Gillespie was director general of the Takeover Panel – the independent City regulatory body which oversees M&A activity – from 2010 until April this year. He began his career as a chartered accountant with legacy Price Waterhouse, qualifying in 1980 before joining investment bank S G Warburg, where he became managing director. In 2004 he was appointed EMEA CEO of UBS Investment Bank and in 2005 became vice-chairman of the investment bank.

Meanwhile, Turner has been chairman of the board of Commonwealth Bank – one of Australia's 'big four' banks – since 2010, and a member of the board since 2006. He was CEO of Brambles Limited until 2007, after which he spent two years as chairman of FTSE 250 manufacturing company Cobham.

Ashurst senior partner Charlie Geffen (pictured above left) said: "Both Robert and David are seasoned board directors and during their careers they have accumulated considerable experience both domestically and internationally. Ashurst will greatly benefit from having such experienced independent board members who can provide external advice and expertise."

The new additions take membership of Ashurst LLP's board to 11, including Geffen, managing partner James Collis, Ashurst Australia chair Mary Padbury (pictured above right), CFO Brian Dunlop and partners Matthew Bubb, Cristina Calvo, Anthony Clare, Reinhard Eyring, Logan Mair and Ben Tidswell.

Meanwhile, Ashurst Australia's board will now have nine members, with Turner joining Geffen, Padbury, managing partner John Carrington and partners Elspeth Arnold, Tony Denholder, Sarah Dulhunty, Paul Jenkins and Ian Williams.

Partners at Ashurst are set to vote on a full financial merger with legacy Blake Dawson – now known as Ashurst Australia – sometime between now and 2014.

The appointments come after Ashurst named Bubb as its new Asia head following the announcement that former senior partner Geoffrey Green will retire from the firm after 34 years, following the completion of the Australia merger. Green has stepped down as Asia head and is returning to London to support incoming Asia head Matthew Bubb, who took over the role on 1 May.