UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the date of 10 March 2005
ALLIED IRISH BANKS, public limited company
Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X... Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X...
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
For Immediate Release 10 March 2005
AIB APPOINTS GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE DESIGNATE
Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c (AIB) is pleased to announce that Mr Eugene Sheehy has
been appointed Group Chief Executive Designate, to succeed Mr Michael Buckley on
his retirement.
Mr Sheehy (full career details attached) is currently Chairman and CEO, Mid
Atlantic Division, M&T Bank. Subject to honouring his existing commitments at M&
T, it is planned that he will take up his new role as Chief Executive Designate,
AIB Group, in April.
Commenting on Mr Sheehy's appointment, AIB Group Chairman, Mr Dermot Gleeson
said:-
"Choosing the right person to succeed a Chief Executive of Michael Buckley's
calibre was a difficult task. However, in reaching our decision we were greatly
assisted by being able to choose from an outstanding field of both internal and
external candidates.
"Eugene will bring a valuable mix of both internal and external experience to
the role. He combines a thirty year career in AIB, during which he held a
variety of key posts, with three years working at the very highest levels in M&
T, one of the most successful banks in the United States.
"I know that he is more than equal to the challenges ahead and, on behalf of
myself, Michael Buckley and the other members of the AIB Board I would like to
welcome him back to AIB and wish him every success."
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Catherine Burke Alan Kelly
Head of Corporate Relations Head of Group Investor Relations
AIB Group AIB Group
Bankcentre Bankcentre
Dublin 4 Dublin 4
Tel: +353-1-6600311 ext. 13894 Tel: +353-1-6600311 ext. 12162
Career Details
Eugene Sheehy
Eugene joined Allied Irish Banks in 1971. He spent 20 years in the retail
network in the Dublin area, operating at manager level in branches in Dame St,
Capel St and Phibsborough.
In 1992 he completed an M.Sc in Organisation Behaviour in TCD/IMI, for which he
obtained the Sir Charles Harvey Award. Soon after he was given responsibility
for the overall Change Programme in the retail network and led the
implementation of the Bank's New Branch Banking System.
In 1999 he was appointed General Manager, Retail Operations for AIB Bank and in
early 2001 was appointed Managing Director, AIB Bank (Republic of Ireland).
Eugene has worked on many initiatives at Industry level including the National
Payments Strategy with Government and as a founding Board member of IPSO (Irish
Payments Services Organisation). In 2001 he was President of the Institute of
Bankers in Ireland.
In March 2002 Eugene was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of AIB USA
Division and Executive Chairman Designate of Allfirst Financial Inc and Allfirst
Bank.
In September 2002, AIB announced that Allfirst Financial Inc. was to be merged
into M&T Bank Corporation. As part of this strategic partnership, Eugene took up
the position of Chairman and CEO, Mid Atlantic Division, M&T Bank. Eugene joined
the Executive Management Committee and the Board of Directors of M&T.
A native of Dublin, Eugene was born in 1954. He attended Salesian College,
Limerick and is married to Cora and has one son and one daughter.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
ALLIED IRISH BANKS, p.l.c.
(Registrant)
Date 10 March 2005 By: ___________________
Gary Kennedy
Group Director, Finance,
Risk and Enterprise
Technology
Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.