DUBLIN, Ireland, March 22, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Allied Irish Banks ("AIB") (NYSE:AIB) (AIBPR;FMBPR) has announced the appointment of Donal Forde as the new Managing Director of AIB Bank, Republic of Ireland. He was formerly General Manager of AIB Bank's Strategic Development Unit (SDU).
Donal (41), succeeds Eugene Sheehy, who was recently appointed Chief Executive Officer, AIB U.S.A. Division and Executive Chairman Designate of Allfirst Financial Inc and Allfirst Bank.
A native of Newmarket, Co Cork, Donal joined AIB in September 1978. He worked in AIB Capital Markets becoming Head of AIB Corporate and Commercial Treasury in 1995 and Head of Treasury Services in 1998.
In September 1999, he was appointed General Manager of the Strategic Development Unit, AIB Bank. The role of the SDU is to initiate and co-ordinate strategic activities throughout the bank with a focus on the long-term health and positioning of the business.
AIB Group Chief Executive Michael Buckley said: "I am delighted to appoint Donal to such a key role in AIB. Our franchise in the Republic of Ireland is the heart of AIB's continuing profitability. The strength of business in the Republic is the cornerstone on which, AIB's expansion has been built in recent years. Donal's time heading up the SDU, and before that in AIB Corporate and Commercial Treasury, has shown his expertise in developing business with a strong customer focus. He will be supported by a very strong and experienced management team."
Electronic and hard copies of Donal Forde's photograph are available from the AIB Press Office (see contact details below).