Engineering giant IMI has strengthened its board with two new non-executive directors including Tata Motors chief Carl-Peter Forster.

The Birmingham-based group will bring in Mr Forster, who has held a number of senior management positions with BMW and General Motors, from October 1.

He will be joined by fellow non-executive director Phil Bentley, who is currently managing director of British Gas and a main board director of its parent company Centrica.

These appointments follow a comprehensive search process led by the Chairman, Roberto Quarta and come after Kevin Beeston retires as a non-executive and Ian Whiting, executive director, steps down from IMI to resume a career in the US.

Roberto Quarta, chairman of IMI, said: “On behalf of the board I would like to thank Kevin for his valuable contribution over the last seven years. We will miss his considered judgment and wise counsel. However, I am delighted that Carl-Peter and Phil are joining the board. They both have tremendous international business experience and I am sure that we will benefit from their respective expertise as we strengthen and grow our businesses around the world.

Mr Forster, a former non executive director at Rolls-Royce, will join the remuneration and nominations committees at the firm.

Mr Bentley, a former non-executive director of retailer Kingfisher will join the audit and nominations committees.