DUBLIN, Ireland, April 19, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) --
Waterford Wedgwood plc (Waterford Wedgwood) New Chief Financial Officer
Waterford Wedgwood plc is pleased to announce that Paul D'Alton is joining the company on May 4 as chief financial officer. He replaces Richard Barnes who, after more than ten years in the role, has decided to step down; he will continue to work with the company on a consultancy basis.
Mr D'Alton was chief financial officer and a member of the Court of Directors at Bank of Ireland. He was previously chief financial officer of Aer Lingus. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, a director of the Irish Takeover Panel, a non-executive director of Bank of Ireland Assurance and non-executive chairman of Aer Arran, the regional airline.
Redmond O'Donoghue, chief executive of Waterford Wedgwood, said: "We are delighted to have attracted a finance director with such a fine track record and with such wide-ranging experience."
Richard Barnes, 55, has been chief financial officer of Waterford Wedgwood since 1991. He will remain a consultant to the company. Additionally, he plans to expand his public service commitments in the West Midlands where he is based. He has been a director of Advantage West Midlands, the regional development agency, for five years and was recently appointed chairman of the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone.
"During Richard's tenure, the company has more than doubled in size," said Mr O'Donoghue. "His dedication, commitment and professional acumen made a significant contribution to that growth. We wish him well for the future and look forward to an ongoing relationship."
19 April, 2004
This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange