A new chief executive of An Post is expected to be named today by the board of the company following a long search for Donal Curtin's successor.

A selection committee, made up of board members, has made a unanimous recommendation which will be brought to the board today by chairwoman Margaret McGinley. The Department of Communications is also expected to be informed of the appointment.

Speculation continued last night about the identity of the successful candidate, but the company refused to comment.

It is understood John Foley, chief executive of Waterford Crystal, turned the job down. Other candidates mentioned have included Elmer Toime, former head of the New Zealand post office and one time deputy chairman of the British Royal Mail.

The successful candidate may not be able to take up the position immediately, so there may be a need to appoint an acting chief executive.

Donal Curtin has said he will depart the company no later than July 13th. He has maintained all along that he came into the job to do a particular task. He is planning to seek other roles in Irish business.

Today's board meeting is the final one before Mr Curtin departs. The post carries a salary of €416,000 a year, including pension contribution.

The length of time taken to find a new chief executive has taken some people by surprise. The job is one of the most high profile in the semi-State sector, although the adversarial industrial relations environment may have put off some candidates.

Mr Curtin announced his original decision to step down in late January.

Despite the delays and suggestions, the company could not secure its first choice. Sources familiar with the selection process said it was now completed and a satisfactory conclusion had been reached.

A corporate headhunting firm has been involved in the process throughout.

Meanwhile, the commercial director Derek Kickham is to leave the company. Mr Kickham was involved in recent memorandum of understanding signed by An Post and Fortis bank. The two companies will set up a banking joint venture to operate out of An Post's 1,570 post offices.

An internal notice says Mr Kickham joined An Post in October 2003 to develop and implement a new commercial strategy for the company and this had now been completed.