Ex-Tory leader on IT firm's board

Former British Conservative Party leader William Hague has been appointed to the board of an Irish software group, it emerged today.

The MP for Richmond in north Yorkshire has accepted a position as a non-executive director of AMT Sybex, which provides consultancy services and software to the utility, transport and energy industries.

Dublin-based firm AMT Sybex said Mr Hague had taken part in some industry panel discussions run by the company’s branch in England.

Pearse Mee, of AMT Sybex, said: “His work at Westminster and his intimate knowledge of legislative matters will help guide us through our planned continued growth.”

The group’s customers include the Irish state energy company ESB, An Post, Powergen, National Grid Transco, Network Rail and ScottishPower.

The company operates from offices in Dublin, Belfast and London and has a turnover of around €64m.

Before entering the UK Parliament, Mr Hague worked in the management of Shell UK and consultancy firm McKinsey & Co.

He also holds a non-executive directorship with UK company AES Engineering.

He has been an MP since 1989 and joined the British cabinet in 1995 as Secretary of State for Wales.

Mr Hague served as leader of the Conservative Party from 1997 to 2001, when he was replaced by Iain Duncan Smith.