NCB Stockbrokers has announced four new appointments in equity research and institutional equity sales, as it rebuilds its team following the recent departure of some staff to set up a new firm, Merrion Capital. Mr Paul Meade is joining as food sector analyst from the Irish Farmers Journal, where he is currently agri-business editor. Mr John Sheehan is becoming NCB's utility analyst, the first such appointment in the Irish broking sector. He previously worked with National Power in the UK and James Crean, Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta in Ireland.

Meanwhile, Mr Shane Matthews and Mr Ronan Hurley have been appointed to the institutional equity sales division. Mr Matthews joins from HSBC Securities in Singapore, while Mr Hurley was with Bear Stearns in London.