A senior partner in KPMG Dublin, Mr Trevor Bowen, is to join Principle Management, the company which manages U2, as finance director.

With KPMG Mr Bowen was responsible for a wide range of industrial and banking clients including Woodchester Investments plc, Ulster Bank Ltd, United Drug plc, the Point, and Ardmore Studios Ltd.

Principle Management manages U2, P J Harvey, and US artist Lazlo Bane. Associated businesses of Principle Management are Celtic Heartbeat Ltd, McGuinness Whelan Music (publishers of Riverdance), and Ardmore Studios.

Mr Bowen will also be working with Principle Management chairman, Mr Paul McGuinness, on his other interests and involvements.

The new U2 album is to be released in early 1997 and the band will follow it up with a world tour.

Mr McGuinness, said Principle Management intends to "play a major part "in the fast growing international entertainment business.