Nimble's non-exec role at Henderson

Mr Thompson, 64, is a well-established figure in Yorkshire boardrooms and is the former regional chair of the Institute of Direct-ors.

He said: "I met chief executive Joe Henderson and chairman Fred Gibson when the company purchased Denney O'Hara Ltd earlier this year.

"I was a non-executive director at Denney O'Hara and after further discussions Henderson's asked me to join them.

"This an exciting time for the company, which is well-placed to deal with the economic climate and to expand much further."

Joe Henderson said he was delighted to welcome Mr Thompson on to the Henderson board. "Nimble will bring with him a wealth of experience with his legal and business background and his appointment forms another very important part of the Henderson Group jigsaw."

Mr Thompson is a lawyer by training and helped establish Eversheds as a national and international law firm. He rose to become vice-chairman. He is chairman of NG Bailey and is a non-executive director of organisations including The Skipton Building Society, Leeds property developer Rushbond and the Institute of Directors.

He earned the nickname 'Nimble' while studying law at Leeds University after showing surprising prowess on the squash court.