IBEC has appointed Mr Brendan Butler as its new director of social policy. Mr Butler's position as director of the Small Firms Association will now be advertised.

Ms Jackie Harrison has been appointed as director of enterprise. She is currently director of the Engineering Industry Association, the Irish Clothing Manufacturers Federation and the Irish Textiles Federation.

Tullow Oil has made Mr Patrick Plunkett non-executive director. Mr Plunkett recently retired as chairman and managing director of ABN AMRO Stockbrokers and ABN AMRO Corporate Finance. Mr Plunkett was also a director of the Irish Stock Exchange between 1995 and 1998.

Mr Richard Wakely is the new managing director of the Abbey and Peacock theatres, with responsibility for all marketing, promotion, PR, sponsorship and fundraising.

Mr Wakely is currently general manager of the Hampstead Theatre in London. He will take up the newly created position in September

Viridian, the holding company for Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), has announced that Mr Philip Rogerson will become chairman of the company from January 1st next year.

Mr Rogerson joined the board of the company as deputy chairman on July 1st and will take over as chairman from Mr David Jefferies, who has held the position for four years. Mr Rogerson is the former deputy chairman of BG plc.

The Institute of Public Administration has named Mr Dermot Nally, the former cabinet secretary who was heavily involved in the Northern Ireland peace negotiations, as its new president. Mr Michael Quinn, the managing director of ICC Bank is the new chairman of the institute.

Mr Thomas J Moran, the president and chief executive of Mutual America Life Insurance Company is the new chairman of the north American Advisory board of the Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, based at UCD. The board supports the school in terms of strategic guidance and corporate relations.

Mr Bob Breen is the new general manager of Waterford United FC and will be responsible for the club's current share offer and other commercial developments. He joins from Slough Town FC and has more than 20 years experience of professional club football management.

Mr Paul Carley is the new business operations manager at Volvo Car Ireland.

He has been with the company for six years and was previously head of finance.