AIB has appointed Mr Gerry Byrne to head its Polish division. Mr Byrne, who is currently managing director of AIB's insurance division, Ark Life, succeeds Mr Michael Buckley, who was appointed AIB chief executive-designate last October.

Mr Byrne will take up his new post with immediate effect and will be based in Warsaw.

As part of his appointment, Mr Byrne will also join the AIB group executive committee, which is responsible for setting corporate strategy and overseeing the management of AIB Group.

Mr Byrne (44) joined AIB in 1973 and has worked in a variety of capacities in the bank, both at branch and department level.

He was appointed managing director of Ark Life in 1997.

He is married with three daughters and a son.