Food group DCC has further defended its decision to unanimously reaffirm Jim Flavin in his role as executive chairman following an investigation into the use of trading reports in the sale of its stake in Fyffes fruit and vegetable distributor for €106m in early 2000.

DCC founder and chief executive Jim Flavin is no stranger to trouble, having ridden his fair share of tough commercial patches and legal wrangles on his way to building the unique conglomerate that is DCC, reports Kyran Fitzgerald.