Mr Ray McLoughlin (59) is acclaimed as one of the all-time greats of Irish rugby. From Ballinsloe, Co Galway, he was capped 40 times for Ireland between 1962 and 1975. He is remembered for the try he scored in Paris in 1970, the last time Ireland won in Paris. He was selected in 1966 and 1971 to tour with the British Lions to New Zealand and Australia.

During his business career, Mr McLoughlin has had a long association with the industrial holding company James Crean, which he took over in 1970. At that time, the company was a quoted soap manufacturer, about to lose its contract to make soap under licence for Colgate Palmolive.

Over the next 20 years, Mr McLoughlin built up a diversified industrial holding company although many investments had disastrous consequences for the firm.

In the 1970s, James Crean was seen as one of the leading Irish public companies but its dire trading performance has disillusioned many of the fund managers. Ten years ago James Crean shares were trading at €3.82; now they trade at 34 cents.

Mr McLoughlin was appointed to the AIB board in 1990 and retired last April. He is also a former director of the Custom House Docks Development Authority, Asahi Ireland, the National Board of Science and Technology and the Irish Management Institute.

He is a life-long friend and business associate of former Davy managing director, Mr Kyran McLaughlin. The two became friends while playing for Blackrock College Rugby Club in Dublin in the 1960s.

Though he is best remembered now for his rugby prowess, Mr McLoughlin also played GAA and represented Ireland in shot putt at the Catholic Youth Games.

Married with four children, he lives in Shankill, Co Dublin.