Nestor Healthcare, the UK’s largest listed healthcare recruitment company, has announced the appointments of two non-executive directors in a bid to resurrect the ailing company.

Sir Andrew Foster, former chief executive of the Audit Commission for England and Wales, and Roger Dye, former finance director of textile maintenance and buildings systems business the Davis Service Group, joined the board last Monday.

Sir Andrew Foster has extensive experience of the public sector, having served as deputy chief executive of the NHS and as a director of Social Services. Roger Dye has been the finance director of four public companies.

Commenting on the appointments, Nestor chairman John Rennocks said: “Both have impressive relevant experience that I am sure will be of enormous value to the board as we continue to develop Nestor’s business to take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the health and social care market places.”

The changes come after a troubled 12 months for the company. Earlier this month, Nestor announced that it was pulling out of the three-year, £1m contract it had won in September to supply medical staff to Leeds NHS Teaching Hospitals Trust. NHS Professionals, the health services’ in-house staffing agency, has now taken over the contract.

In July, Nestor received an unsolicited takeover bid from a mystery buyer. This, and other similar offers, were rejected for being too low.

Nestor has also announced the retirement of Robert Nicholls, former non-executive director and senior non-executive director, from the board.