FIRST National Building Society executive director Mr Gerry Murphy has been appointed to succeed Mr John Carroll as chairman of Guaranteed Irish.

The non profit organisation was set up to help to increase and maintain employment in Ireland through the promotion of Irish produced goods and services.

Mr Murphy (42), who is a business studies graduate of the University of Limerick, was appointed to the board of Guaranteed Irish in 1994.

He joined First National in 1989 as assistant general manager with responsibility for marketing and development.