Little Things

ONE MORE THING:AUSTRALIAN INVESTMENT bank Macquarie has been linked with a bid for Royal Bank of Scotland's Dublin-based aircraft leasing division.

Bids were due to be lodged this week with RBS believed to be seeking $6 billion-$8 billion.

Macquarie is reported to be mulling a joint offer. Others linked with a bid include Bank of China, General Electric and Terra Firma.

Dómhnal Slattery’s Avolon business has been barred from the process. RBS is thought to be sore about Slattery having poached some of its executives for Avolon.

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FRENCHMAN ALEX Ricardwill bid au revoir to Ireland today when he presents at the Agricultural Science Association's annual meeting.

Ricard will discuss the “Jameson success story” before heading to Paris, where he has won a promotion within Pernod Ricard, presumably on the back of Jameson’s success during his time as head of Irish Distillers.

Swede Anna Malmhake succeeded Ricard here this month. Don’t bet against the Frenchman one day running the global spirits group.

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PAT GILROY mightbe preparing the Dublin footballers for their big day at Croke Park on September 18th but he also has a day job to attend to.

Just two days before the All Ireland final, Gilroy, as managing director of French management services company Dalkia, is slated to address the Irish French Chamber of Commerce in Arklow. This will take place alongside a presentation from pharmaceuticals group Servier, another French company.

The aim of the half-day visit is to allow Gilroy share his experience of how Dalkia engages its staff “in a culture of performance”.

You can’t imagine Alex Ferguson taking a speaking engagement two days before a Champions League final but such is the way for GAA managers, who have to earn a crust outside the sport.

What odds on the conversation in Arklow turning to the Dubs’ chances of beating Kerry? Or of Gilroy giving a forthright answer?

On the latter, slim to none I suspect.