Name: Stephen Vernon.

Age: 48.

Family: Married to Mary Fahy (from Co Cork). Three children Elizabeth (18), Caitlin (17), Patrick (13).

Hobbies: Tennis, golf, theatre, sailing, skiing.

Education: Attended St Brendan's (Christian Brothers) in Bristol. College of Estate Management (part of London University).

Background: Property project manager and consultant. Group managing partner of St Quintin, a London-based international chartered surveyors firm, until 1993. Joined Green board as non-executive director in 1989. Became Green's managing director in September 1993.

Why in the news? Despite getting the cold shoulder from Manchester-based, publicly quoted Trafford Park Estates, he launched a hostile takeover bid, refused to increase the offer, and forced the Trafford board to concede defeat.