Bank of Ireland has announced the appointment of Robert Sharpe as chairman and non-executive director of the UK board of the company. He replaces Christopher Fisher, who recently stepped down after serving as chairman of Bank of Ireland (UK) plc for more than three years, and as a non-executive director for over six years.

Mr Sharpe is currently a non-executive director of British competitor Aldermore Bank plc, along with being chairman of Al Rayan Bank plc, which offers Sharia-compliant financial service products in the UK.

His appointment marks a return to the Bank of Ireland fold, where he was chief executive of the UK business for seven and a half years up to August 1994.

Mr Sharpe had previously been head of Bank of America Mortgages UK for six years, a business he sold to Bank of Ireland.

More recently, Mr Sharpe spent three years working in the Middle East as an independent non-executive director with three banks - Alternatif Bank in Turkey, National Bank of Oman and United Arab Bank in the UAE.

In addition, he was chief executive of Diners Club Credit Card in the Middle East and vice chairman of Orient 1, a Bermuda-based investment vehicle.

His 35-year career in financial services has also involved leading the transformation and turnaround at West Bromwich Building Society as chief executive, having formerly been CEO at the Portman Building Society.

Commenting on the appointment, Des Crowley, CEO of Bank of Ireland UK, said: "We are delighted that Robert is joining the board as our Chairman. He brings a wealth of financial services experience especially in the mortgage and lending sectors, and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the board as we continue to establish Bank of Ireland UK as the partnership bank for trusted brands."

Bank of Ireland’s retail UK business made an underlying profit before tax of £140 million last year . The UK division account for about 25 per cent of the group’s income, and has partnerships in place with the Post Office and the AA.