ESB workers will begin potentially disruptive industrial action from Dec 16 if no agreement is reached with management over how to resolve the €1.6bn deficit in the company’s pension scheme.

Elan Corporation announced yesterday, Dr Floyd Bloom, a neuro- scientist, and Jeff Shames, a retired chairman and chief executive officer of MFS Investment Management (MFS), will become new non- executive members of the board, from July 1.

Elan Corporation today announced a number of changes to its board of directors.