Ms Ruth O'Briain, deputy investment director with Friends First Asset Management, has been appointed chief investment director, the company announced yesterday. Ms O'Briain has been with Friends First since 1991, having previously worked with Hiberian Investment Managers. She was appointed deputy investment director two years ago. The company also announced that Mr Tony O'Connell, the former managing director of ICS Building Society, is to join the group in July as operations director. Mr O'Connell is to head a new operations, marketing and business development unit.