The new chief executive of Enterprise Ireland is Mr Frank Ryan (50), who moves from his post as IDA Ireland executive director with responsibility for foreign direct investment.

Mr Ryan, who has a master's degree in business strategy from Trinity College, Dublin, and has spent his career with IDA Ireland, was involved in bringing some of the largest industrial projects into the State.

During his time with IDA Ireland, Mr Ryan gained experience of a variety of industrial sectors and international markets. He spent the earlier part of his career based in the US.

In Dublin, his work was concerned with the IT and software sectors, before moving to planning and strategy.

He was a senior manager involved in the move to introduce a regional structure into the IDA and moved to Athlone, Co Westmeath, for a period before being appointed executive director of the IDA.

A native of Dundalk, Co Louth, he lives close to Drogheda, Co Louth. He is well-regarded within the IDA and among the management teams of the multinational companies with operations in the Republic.

Enterprise Ireland chairman Mr Pat Molloy said Mr Ryan would "bring a breadth of expertise and knowledge that will be of substantial value to Irish industry and to Enterprise Ireland in its next phase of development. Frank will also now further develop the considerable strengths of the organisation built up by Dan Flinter during the last five years."

Mr Flinter announced in June that he was to step down as chief executive at the end of his term of appointment.