Mr John Coghlan is the new chief executive of Smurfit UK. He has been with the company for 26 years and until 1997 was divisional chief executive of Smurfit Print and Carton Division (UK and Ireland). Smurfit UK employs 4,000 people and includes paper manufacturing, folding cartons, labels, recycling and tube divisions.

Mr Jim O'Dwyer is the new director of human resources with Project Management Group, the 25-year-old engineering and project management company. He will be responsible for human resource procedures and concepts for the company's 700 employees. He was previously human resources manager at SmithKline Beecham.

Ms Maeve Bourke is joining the group as marketing executive after previously working with Telecom Eireann and Docuprint. Project Management counts IBM, Intel and Bord Gais among its clients.

Mr Cameron O'Reilly is the new chairman of Wilson & Horton, the largest newspaper publisher in New Zealand. He is chief executive of APN News & Media and his appointment follows the acquisition by Independent Newspapers of the remaining shares in Wilson & Horton which it did not own. Mr O'Reilly replaces Mr Liam Healy, group chief executive of Independent Newspapers.

Ms Deirdre Henchy is the new public affairs manager at RTE, reporting to the director of public affairs, Mr Kevin Healy. She is a former information officer with the National Road Safety Association.

Also taking up new posts in the department are Ms Mary O'Mahony, as public relations co-ordinator, and Ms Clare Byrne who is becoming publicity co-ordinator. Broadcaster, Ms Carolyn Fisher, is to be responsible for publicity for new and existing programmes, taking up her new appointment in August.

Apax Partners has appointed two new directors, Mr Brian Stephens and Mr John Tierney, who is becoming a non-executive director. Ms Stephens is a former director of NCB Corporate Finance. Mr Tierney is the former finance director of GPA.

Mr Philip Sherwood is to become managing director of the advertising agency, Campbell, Grey & Associates following the resignation of Mr Paul Campbell.