Mr Conor McCarthy is to retire as chairman of Ryan Hotels at the end of the month and will be succeeded by Mr Sean Henneberry.

Mr McCarthy has been associated with Ryan Hotels for more than 40 years and acted as joint chairman and chief executive for more than 20 years.

He is a former president of the Irish Hotels Federation and was a member of the Government Task Force on Tourism in 1987. He is also currently chairman of Irish Life and chairman of the Dublin Transportation Office.

His successor, Mr Henneberry, is a chartered accountant and is also chairman of the Co Wicklow-based bathroom suites manufacturer Qualceram.