Andor Technology, the Belfast-based digital camera maker, yesterday named Conor Walsh as its new chief executive.

The move comes 10 months after the previous CEO stepped down and following two high-profile recruitment campaigns aimed at bringing someone in from outside the firm.

The company, whose shares are already listed on London's AIM, yesterday also announced plans to list on Dublin's IEX, the enterprise exchange for smaller companies, in a move to raise its profile among private investors in the Republic.

The listing, which is not designed to raise any new funds, will also help increase the stock's liquidity and give it a euro listing price.

Mr Walsh's promotion from finance director to chief executive brings to the end a period of uncertainty for the company since Hugh Cormican stepped down from the top job in August last year.

At the time of the company's interim results early last month, chairman Bryan Keating said the initial search for a new chief executive had not produced anyone of sufficient calibre and as a result the company was starting a second recruitment drive.

Mr Walsh said that due to personal circumstances he had not been in a position to apply formally for the chief executive role. However, after the company was not successful in filling the position externally, he decided to put himself forward.

Goodbody analyst Philip O'Sullivan welcomed Mr Walsh's appointment. He said that with five years of service at Andor already under his belt and significant involvement in the group's AIM listing and several acquisitions, Mr Walsh was well placed to fill the role.

Mr Cormican, meanwhile, will leave the company in November.

Andor plans to list 26.7 million shares on the IEX on June 29th.