Building materials group Heiton, which may be facing a potential take-over bid from its bigger rival Grafton, has appointed a new chief operations director. The move releases chief executive, Mr Leo Martin, to concentrate on the "strategic leadership" of the group. Heiton has appointed former Glanbia director, Mr Rory O'Mahony, as chief operations director, where he will have day-to-day responsibility for the running of Heiton's building materials and DIY operations.

Mr O'Mahony had worked with Glanbia - and its predecessor, Avonmore Foods - for 17 years, but resigned earlier this year rather than move to Britain where Glanbia's consumer goods business is being centralised. Mr O'Mahony cited "family and personal reasons" for his decision to leave Glanbia.