Caroline O'Shea, head of property at AIB Investment Managers, is believed to be the first woman appointed to such a post in Ireland by an institution. She has been involved in managing AIB property portfolios for over a decade and last August, was appointed to succeed John Bruder as head of property when he moved to Treasury Holdings.

She holds a first-class honours degree from TCD in environmental economics and was placed first in UK and Ireland in a post-graduate course in property investment.

Ms O'Shea was one of Ireland's top athletes in the 1970s and 1980s, and for a number of years was the national record holder at 400 and 800 metres. She was also the first Irish woman to figure in the final of an Olympic track event when she raced in the 800 metres at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.