AIB appoints two new directors

AIB has appointed Jenny Winter and Kieran Crowley as non-executive directors.

Ms Winter is chief executive of children’s charity Barretstown Ireland. She was previously a senior executive with GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals.

Kieran Crowley is a chartered accountant and a founder of Crowley Services Dublin, the operator of the Dyno-Rod drain cleaning franchise in Ireland.

He has served as chairman of the Small Firms Association and is a member of the IBEC National Executive Council.

Stuart Draper, banking analyst with Dolmen Securities, said Mr Crowley will bring a broad understanding of Irish business needs to the AIB board.

For several years the banks here have been condemned for their charging levels and their lack of adequate services to the hard-pressed Irish business.

In particular the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has been highly critical of all banks, not just AIB.

Mr Draper feels that Ms Winter’s appointment, given her status with a major charity, may be an attempt to show a softer side to the bank.

She also bring a wealth of business experience to the board.

“Her area of expertise is one of the growth areas targeted by the government and her knowledge in that regard will also be invaluable,” said Mr Draper.