Name: Gerry Walsh.

Family: Married to Kay. They have four children.

Background: Born in Millstreet, Co Cork. He is an engineering graduate from University College Cork and he holds an MBA from the same college.

Career: He worked for 10 years in the construction industry in the area of contract management. Mr Walsh joined the Bord Gais executive at general management level in 1989. In recent years he has been responsible for investments in power and other utility assets in the Republic and abroad. He played a key role in securing Bord Gais's involvement in Aughinish Power in conjunction with Aughinish Alumina and ATCO Power. Mr Walsh also led the development of the Bord Gais's independent combined heat and power business and he was directly responsible for setting up Bord Gais's British-based utility infrastructure division UGI Ltd.

In his role as head of strategic development in Bord Gais, he spearheaded the company's group strategy for 2000 and beyond.

Why he is in the news: Bord Gais issued its annual results this week, the first set of results it has reported since Mr Walsh took over as chief executive.