Outgoing Bank of Ireland chief Boucher steps back as results near

Bank of Ireland's outgoing chief executive Richie Boucher is stepping back as the bank unveils its first-half results on Friday.

Mr Boucher, who confirmed on Wednesday that he intended to step down as chief executive on October 1st after 7½ years in the role, will not be involved in briefing analysts and journalists on the figures.

It is understood that Mr Boucher, who turns 59 next month, is keen not to be the focus of attention on the day. Analysts at Deutsche Bank expect the country’s largest bank by assets to post a pretax profit of €410 million for the first half, down from €538 million for the year-earlier period.

Group chief financial officer Andrew Keating and Liam McLoughlin, chief executive of the Irish retail division, will present the interim results.

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As previously announced, his successor, HSBC executive Francesca McDonagh, will take up the position of executive director on the group’s board on October 2nd.