Denis Casy, Group CEO-Designate IL&P

The Chairman of Irish Life & Permanent plc, Gillian Bowler, has announced the appointment of Denis Casey as Group Chief Executive designate of Irish Life & Permanent plc.  Casey will succeed David Went who is scheduled to retire from this position in May of next year (2007).

Casey [47] was appointed to the Board of Irish Life & Permanent plc in 2000 and is currently Chief Executive of permanent tsb Bank; the banking arm of the Group.  He was formerly Chief Executive of Irish Life (Retail) [1999 to 2005], the retail life and pensions arm of the Group.  A Certified Accountant, Casey joined what was then Irish Life in 1980 and is exceptionally experienced across its operations.  He is current Chairman of Financial Services Ireland and a past President of the Insurance Institute of Ireland.

Speaking today, Gillian Bowler said that the Board was delighted to appoint Casey to this role; “The Board faced a very difficult choice in choosing a successor to David Went from amongst four outstanding candidates.  However we have no doubt that we have selected the right person for the job and we look forward to working with Denis in the months and years ahead. 

Denis has an outstanding track record in each of the key positions he has held in the Group.  He has a unique experience of running our banking and life assurance businesses and has demonstrated his ability to bring focussed, results driven leadership to his various roles.  We have no doubt that he will be a tremendous success in guiding the Group through the years ahead and bringing us closer to our goal of being the No. 1 provider of personal financial services in the Irish market.”

Speaking on his appointment Casey said he was “honoured” to have been selected; “The Irish Life & Permanent Group is well placed to grow strongly in the months and years ahead.  In recent years we’ve clearly positioned ourselves as the major force for competition in the banking and life assurance markets.  We are already the No. 1 player in the life & pensions market.  The challenge now is to grow our position strongly in the banking market and become the No. 1 provider of financial services in Ireland.  It’s a challenge which I believe is fully achievable.  I look forward to working closely with all my colleagues at management level, with staff across the Group and with all the Group’s stakeholders in the months and years ahead.”

Casey also paid tribute to David Went whom he will succeed next year; “David has been an inspirational figure at the Group since he was appointed to head what was then Irish Life plc in 1998.  The strength of the Group today and the extent to which it has grown and developed in the last 10 years is a tribute to his ability and his leadership.”