Sage has hired David Clayton as its new group strategy and mergers and acquisitions director.

He steps down from the accountancy and small business specialist's board with immediate effect and will take up his new role from 1 October.

Tim Ingram, who had been a non-executive director, has been handed the role of senior independent director and will start his new job immediately.

Given the board reshuffle, Sage said it was now looking to appoint two non-executive directors.

Paul Walker, chief executive at the firm, said: "David's broad experience in the technology industry and his in-depth knowledge of Sage makes him uniquely qualified for the role.

"David will concentrate on longer term trends in the industry and help position Sage for continued success in our global markets."

In May, the UK-based business management software firm appointed Tony Hobson as its new chairman following Sir Julian Horn-Smith's surprise decision to quit the post over irreconcilable differences with the board. ®

Related stories

• Sage annexes construction software firm (31 March 2008)
• Sage holds line on Q1 trading (4 February 2008)
• Sage clocks £1.16bn revenues (28 November 2007)
• Sage gets upclose to personnel with KCS buy (29 October 2007)
• Sage rips hole in US management team (11 October 2007)
• Sage partners worry about falling into Line (4 October 2007)
• Sage takes lion's share of XRT (12 September 2007)
• Sage goes after the little people (4 September 2007)
• Sage profits slip in first half (9 May 2007)
• Sage makes British buy (8 May 2007)
• Sage chairman leaves after seven months (27 April 2007)
• Sage buys Swiss biz management firm (12 April 2007)
• Sage brings compliance software inhouse (5 December 2006)
• Sage says no halt to buy-up spree (29 November 2006)
• Sage pays £20m for payment processing firm Protx (13 November 2006)
• Sage says results in line with expectations (12 October 2006)