Name: Michael Buckley.

Age: 55.

Education: MA in political philosophy.

Career: Joined the public service in 1967, working in the Department of Finance. Ten years later he moved to Luxembourg as chef de cabinet to the president of the European Court of Auditors before returning to the Department of Finance, where he remained until 1986. He was then recruited by NCB Stockbrokers and in 1990 as managing director. He joined AIB's Capital Markets division in 1991 and was appointed managing director of the bank's Polish division last year.

Interests: Art, opera and sport.

Why he is in the news: He will take over as AIB's group chief executive in June next year.