Serco Group has appointed ex-Centrica chief executive Sir Roy Gardner to replace Alistair Lyons as its chairman.

Alistair Lyons quit the post last November due to the part he played in “strategic and operational missteps”, volunteering to leave as soon as his replacement was found.

Gardner’s past roles include chief executive of Centrica, chairman of Manchester United football club (which he subsequently sold to the controversial Glazer family), chairman of Plymouth Argyle football club and chairman of Compass, the contract catering and support services company.

Serco chief executive Rupert Soames believes that Gardner’s “broad experience” will prove to be extremely valuable. Serco is in the process of turning its prospects around after a disastrous 2014, a process which involves selling off its BPO portfolio in order to focus on public services.

For weekly news updates, subscribe to our email newsletter.

Related: Serco is “Trading in Line with Expectations”