Morrisons has added a heavyweight new name to its board with the appointment of Greene King boss Rooney Anand as non-executive director.

Anand, who has been chief executive of the pub group and brewer since 2005, will join the grocer as a non-executive director from January 1. He will be Morrisons’ senior independent director.

Anand has this year overseen Greene King’s £770m takeover of Spirit, which makes it the UK’s largest managed pub group.

He joins a host of fresh faces on Morrisons board as boss David Potts has rung the changes since taking over in March.

Morrisons chairman Andy Higginson said Anand’s appointment “completes the process of renewing and rebuilding” its board.

He added: “I am delighted to welcome Rooney to the board… he is a widely admired and successful Plc CEO. His experience in retail, in FMCG and in turning around the fortunes of a major retail business will all be put to good use at Morrisons.”

Anand said: “I am excited about joining the team at Morrisons, a company I have long admired. I look forward to working with Andy and the board to help to contribute to the company’s return to the forefront of the British supermarket industry.”

Earlier this month, Morrisons dropped out of the FTSE100 for the first time in more than 14 years.