Pernod Ricard chief to manage Bank of Ireland

THE joint managing director of international drinks company Pernod Ricard is to become the next Governor of the Bank of Ireland.

Bank of Ireland yesterday announced the appointment of Richard Burrows, aged 58, as governor-designate to become the next chairman of Ireland’s second largest bank by market capitalisation.

Mr Burrows, who is chairman of Pernod Ricard subsidiary Irish Distillers, will take up the position of governor at the end of the Annual General Court meeting in July, 2005 in succession to Laurence Crowley, aged 67, whose term expires at that stage.

Mr Burrows has been the senior independent director of Bank of Ireland and sat on the group remuneration and audit committees. A member of the court (board) since 2000, Mr

Burrows has been deputy governor since october 2002 and senior independent director since february 2003.

A chartered accountant by profession, Richard Burrows is a former President of IBEC, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation.

Speaking at the announcement, outgoing governor Laurence Crowley said: “I am very pleased that Richard Burrows will succeed me as Governor. He has made a significant contribution to the deliberations of the Court since joining in 2000 and I am confident that he will provide excellent leadership to the Court as Governor.”

Mr Crowley was appointed to the board in 1990 and served as Deputy Governor from 1995 to 1997. He was appointed governor following the 2000 annual general court. He is chairman of PJ Carroll and Co Ltd and a director of Elan Corporation plc and a number of other companies.