The three most senior managers of Oracle Ireland's sales and consulting arm have surprised senior company management by tendering their resignations to pursue a new start-up opportunity. Managing director, Mr John Appleby, technical director, Mr Fergus Gloster, and services director, Mr David Dempsey, submitted their resignations last Friday.

It is understood the resignations became immediately effective and they will each work out their month's notice from home.

The three men are leaving the company to manage a high growth US Internet company when it bases its Europe, Middle East and Africa operations here next month. The company is understood to be pre-flotation, indicating a lucrative opportunity for the three former Oracle employees. In a statement, Mr Ian Smith, managing director, Oracle Corporation UK and Ireland said: "We will be sorry to lose John, Fergus and David as they have helped to build Oracle into a major force in e-business in the Irish market and we wish them every success in their future endeavours."

Mr Smith will now assume responsibility for Irish operations until replacements have been found. Oracle Ireland employs 35 people.