Former Swansea Cork Ferries chief Thomas Hunter McGowan is taking the helm at cross- Border body Intertrade Ireland.

The organisation announced yesterday that the North-South Ministerial Council had chosen him to succeed Liam Nellis as chief executive of the body.

Mr Hunter McGowan graduated in commerce from University College Dublin in 1982 and completed his master’s degree at University College Cork in 2002.

He was managing director of Swansea Cork Ferries Ltd for 18 years. He was a board member of the Cork Chamber of Commerce and served for two terms on the board of Chambers Ireland.

Mr Hunter McGowan will lead Intertrade Ireland’s management and continue to develop its strategy.