UPDATE 2-Top UK investor wants annual board re-elections

* Seeks immediate annual re-election of board chairmen

* Senior non-execs, committee chairs must face annual vote

* Calls for independent board appraisals

(Adds details, quotes)

By Raji Menon

LONDON, June 17 (Reuters) - The largest institutional investor in the UK is calling on board directors to face annual re-election in a bid to strengthen board accountability.

Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) (LGEN.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday that as a starting point, board chairmen, senior independent directors and chairmen of all board committees should stand for annual re-election.

LGIM's comments are the latest in a series of moves by investors to respond to corporate failings highlighted by the financial crisis.

Earlier this month the Institutional Shareholders Committee issued new guidelines designed to strengthen shareholder activism. [ID:nLL946077]