BKIR.L Regulatory News (BKIR)

RNS Announcement

The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland

Board Changes

Bank of Ireland today announces that Mr Bradley Martin has been appointed to the Board of Directors as a non-executive director with immediate effect. Mr Martin's appointment has been approved by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Mr. Martin is Vice President, Strategic Investments, Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., a publicly traded financial services holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment management.

Mr Martin (53) holds an LLB from the University of Toronto and a BA in Economics from Harvard College. Mr Martin's career includes 11 years with the Canadian Law Firm Torys LLP, including one year on secondment to the Ontario Securities Commission followed by a partnership at the firm in 1995. Since 1998 Mr Martin has worked in a variety of senior roles in the Fairfax Financial Group and has served on the boards of a number of companies in which Fairfax is a significant investor. He is the Chairman of Ridley Inc. and Chairman of Resolute Forest Products Inc. Previously Mr Martin was a Director of Hub Group Limited, Odyssey Re Group Limited, Northbridge Financial Corporation, The Brick Limited and Chairman of Imvescor Restaurant Group Inc.

Mr Prem Watsa has decided to retire from the Bank of Ireland Group Board with immediate effect.

Commenting Mr Watsa said:

"Fairfax invested in Bank of Ireland in the summer of 2011 and since then the Bank has made very significant progress against its strategic objectives. Fairfax continues to be confident in the outstanding leadership of the CEO, his management team and the Board of Bank of Ireland Group. Reflecting the progress made and my other commitments, I feel that now is the appropriate time for me to step down from the Board. I am pleased that we have been able to offer someone of Brad's calibre and experience as our nominee to the Bank of Ireland Group's Board as Fairfax, as long term focussed investors, continue to support Bank of Ireland in the achievement of its strategic objectives."

Mr Archie Kane, Chairman of the Bank of Ireland Group commented:

"On behalf of the Board I should like to thank Prem for his diligence and commitment as a Board member. We have benefited greatly from his insights. I should also like to welcome Brad to our Board. He brings extensive experience and skills to the role and we all look forward to working with him as we continue to make good progress against the Group's strategic objectives."

There are no other details that are required to be disclosed for Mr. Martin under Listing Rule 6.6.7 of the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange.

23 July 2013

Enquiries-

Helen Nolan, Group Secretary 00-353-76-623-4710

Pat Farrell, Head of Group Communications 00-353-76-623-4770