AIB appoints new chief risk officer, governance staff

STATE-CONTROLLED AIB has completed the appointment of Peter Rossiter as chief risk officer, filling a crucial role at the bank that has been covered on an interim basis for almost three years.

Mr Rossiter has been poached from Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, the former Anglo Irish Bank which is also winding down Irish Nationwide. He has been chief risk officer of State-owned Anglo/IBRC since late 2009.

AIB chief executive David Duffy told staff that Mr Rossiter’s appointment has been approved by the Central Bank and he will take up the role on May 1st. An executive at Citigroup before moving to Anglo, Mr Rossiter will join AIB’s executive committee.

IBRC yesterday said that non-executive director Roger McGreal would fill the role of chief risk officer on an interim basis following Mr Rossiter’s departure.

The bank said the search for a replacement was “well advanced”. Recruiters Korn Ferry have been hired to find a suitable candidate.

Mr McGreal became a non-executive director of Irish Nationwide in September 2009, five months after the departure of chief executive Michael Fingleton. He joined the IBRC board in November 2011.

AIB announced three more appointments to staff yesterday.

Fidelma Clarke, who had been joint acting chief risk officer, was appointed to a new role – head of governance and assurance – where she will report to Mr Rossiter. She is currently chief risk officer of EBS, which AIB acquired last year.

The bank appointed Dominic Clarke as head of internal audit. Enda Johnson has joined the bank as head of strategy.