Flybe, the UK regional low-fares airline, is strengthening its board with the appointment of four non-executive directors as it prepares for an expected stock market flotation next year. This could value the airline at £150m to £200m.

The four new directors include Charles Scott, chairman of William Hill since 2004. The others are David Longbottom, human resources director of DSG International; Peter Smith, former chief executive of Menzies Aviation and a former commercial director of British Caledonian; and Alan Smith, chairman of Robert Dyas and a previous chief executive of Somerfield.