New board member for Friends First

Eureko, the Dutch parent of Friends First, has appointed Maarten Dijkshoorn, the CEO designate of Eureko, to the board of Friends First.

In Dublin to attend his first board meeting, Mr Dijkshoorn said that Eureko intends to expand its share of the life assurance market here through organic growth and through strategic acquisitions.

"Our purchase of Friends First in 1994 has given us exposure to the Irish economic growth story. Ireland has a very well developed life and pensions market which offers great opportunities to a group of Eureko's financial strength, with a core focus on this market.

"We now have operations in 10 countries across Europe and have aggressive acquisition targets in a number of these markets."