The former head of the Dublin City Enterprise Board Gerry Macken has been appointed as interim chief executive at the Digital Hub.

Mr Macken joins the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) from Dublin City Council, where he served as head of internal audit.

He replaces Edel Flynn, who served as interim chief executive of the Digital Hub since April 2013, following six years as its chief operations officer.

Mr Macken’s appointment commences with immediate effect. He will be tasked with overseeing the agency’s transition into Dublin City Council as part of the Government’s programme of public sector reform.

Earlier this year, the Digital Hub announced plans for a €40 million investment in the construction of accommodation for almost 500 students and the development of 989sq m (10,650sq ft) of office. The investment is one of the biggest since the hub’s formation in 2001.

Construction of the student apartments is due to start next month with the first students due on campus in 2016

The DHDA is the government agency that manages The Digital Hub enterprise and regeneration project in Dublin's south-west inner city. It is currently home to 75 digital companies, including the European headquarters of international companies like Eventbrite and Etsy. Almost 900 people currently work at The Digital Hub.

Over the past decade more than 170 companies have passed through the technology campus including Amazon, Distilled Media Group (Daft.ie), Havok, Houghton Mifflin (Riverdeep), Gala Networks Europe and Kavaleer. During their time at the facility, these companies have generated 2,000 highly skilled jobs, according to the Digital Hub.