DAC Beachcroft has appointed a new non-executive director and group finance director to its board, taking the total number of members to 12.

David Gillard joins the firm as group finance director, replacing Patrick Firebrace who is leaving the firm after nine years. Gillard joins from the Oxford University Press where he was finance director. Prior to this he worked for a string of multinationals, including Diageo, BAA and McVitie's.

In his new role Gillard will work closely with managing partner Paul Murray (pictured).

In addition, Ken Lever who is currently CEO of business processing, technology and procurement services company Xchanging, is joining the firm's board as a non-executive director in May.

Lever was formerly a partner at US accounting firm Arthur Andersen and finance director at international construction services group Alfred McAlpine. He also spent eight years with global engineering and manufacturing group Tomkins, before taking up the role of chief financial officer for Switzerland-based Numonyx BV.

Both Gillard and Lever will be based in London.

Commenting on the dual appointments, DAC Beachcroft senior partner Simon Hodson said: "We are delighted to welcome David and Ken and are convinced that they have the experience, skills and energy to take our business to and through the next stage of its development."

DAC Beachcroft overhauled its board last year with the addition of four new partners following senior partner Danny Gowan's decision to retire from the firm.

The new board members included disputes partner Nick Young in London, insurance partner Pablo Wesolowski in Madrid, Dublin head Katie da Gama and Leeds senior partner Virginia Clegg.

Last week the firm announced 16 new partner promotions and 22 associates with effect from 1 May. More than half of the new partners (nine out of 16) are women with five joining the firm's City partnership. The remaining appointments will be spread across the Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Newport offices.