First Active has appointed two new non-executives to its board of directors. The former building society has said public relations consultant Ms Eileen Gleeson and accountant Mr Trevor Bowen will join its board.

Ms Gleeson is managing director of the Weber Shandwick FCC public relations consultancy. She is also special adviser to the President, Ms McAleese. Ms Gleeson also serves as a non-executive director of the Institute of Directors in Ireland and is vice-chair of UNICEF Ireland.

Mr Bowen is a partner at Principle Management, U2's management company. He is a chartered accountant and former partner at KPMG, and chairman of the international consultancy group DCI. Mr Bowen is also a director of Ardmore Studios, The Point Exhibition Company and Spencer Dock Development Company.

Announcing the new directors yesterday, First Active chairman Mr John Callaghan said they would further strengthen the board.

"I am pleased to attract such high calibre people to the company as it grows and strengthens its position in the marketplace."

First Active will today present results for 2002, with analysts expected to announce its plans to redistribute capital to shareholders. The bank has an estimated €140 million in surplus capital, which could be paid to shareholders in some form of preference or bonus share arrangement. Analysts expect the bank to report a 20 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to €63.2 million for last year.