A round-up to today's other stories in brief
Iona appoints McBride chief financial officer
Iona, the hi-tech company, has appointed Robert C McBride as its chief financial officer.
In this role, Mr McBride becomes a permanent member of the company's executive management team.
He will lead Iona's finance organisation and work closely with the board to increase long-term shareholder value, said the company.
McBride said: "I'm excited by the opportunity that is ahead of Iona and look forward to being an integral part of returning Iona to industry leadership and profitable growth."
Creamery names finance director
Donegal Creameries has named Mr Anthony Martin Hanlon as finance director and company secretary with immediate effect. Mr Hanlon was previously finance director with the Magee Group in Donegal Town.
Ovoca increases stake in Norplat
Ovoca Gold has increased its shareholding in Norplat, a company which holds an exploration licence in the Kola Peninsula in north west Russia, to 86 per cent.
Ovoca retains the right to acquire the remaining shares in Norplat which it does not own, on the basis of eleven new Ovoca shares for every 10 Norplat shares, until May 10th, 2007.
Karelian happy with drilling
Karelian Diamonds said yesterday that first phase drilling on its diamond licences near Kuhmo, Finland, had been "highly encouraging". The company, which is chaired by Professor Richard Conroy, said it looked forward to further possible drilling subject to analysis of its findings.
New guide to mortgages
The Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority has published a new guide to mortgages.
The guide gives independent information to help consumers make informed decisions when buying their first home, trading up, switching mortgage lenders or buying an investment property.
Mary O'Dea, the financial regulator's consumer director, said that while it was tempting for people to overstretch themselves and borrow as much as possible, they needed to remember that their circumstances could change and that interest rates could rise.
"No matter what type of mortgage you choose, the crucial thing to consider is what you can afford to repay every month," Ms O'Dea said.
Copies are available by telephoning its consumer helpline on lo-call 1890 777 777, by visiting www.itsyourmoney.ie or by calling into the consumer information centre at College Green, Dublin 2.
Macquarie poised to join BAA bid
Australian bank Macquarie is poised to join forces with Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial to mount a £15 billion (€22 billion ) hostile bid for airports operator BAA.
An offer for the company that runs seven UK airports including Heathrow and Gatwick will be put on the table within days, newspaper reports suggest.
The report said Macquarie has switched its sights to BAA after abandoning its £1.5 billion takeover bid for the London Stock Exchange following its failure to win the support of its board and institutional customers. A spokesman for Macquarie declined to comment beyond saying that it had not been approached to become a member of any consortium led by Ferrovial. - (PA)
