Mr O’Leary brings over 20 years of specialised experience in representing financial institutions in the areas of new lending, restructuring, asset sales and recovery.

He joins a 14-member board composed of senior representatives of the five founding banks – Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland, KBC Bank Ireland, Permanent TSB and Ulster Bank – as well as seven others representing various sectors of Irish society and bank stakeholders.

Mr Justice John Hedigan, who retired from Court of Appeal last year, is the inaugural chair of the board.

Professor Blanaid Clarke, McCann FitzGerald chair in corporate law at Trinity College Dublin, is also among the 14 members.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr O’Leary said: “I am delighted to be appointed as a board member of the Irish Banking Culture Board. I am looking forward to being a part of an organisation with the aim of giving a voice to cultural improvements in the banking sector industry, whilst improving customer outcomes.

“I hope that my varied years of experience will lend itself well to being on the board and that in the short and long terms we can make a noticeable difference to the culture and better customer outcomes of the Irish banking industry.”