BANK OF IRELAND Chief Executive Richie Boucher has been diagnosed with cancer.

Boucher told staff the news in an internal memo yesterday, where he said that he will receive treatment in August and expects to return to work in September.

A cancerous polyp was found in his colon during a routine medical exam. Doctors have told him the polyp can be successfully removed.

Zambian-born Boucher joined the bank in 2003, having previously worked for Royal Bank of Scotland.

Here is his message to Bank of Ireland staff, in full:

ColleaguesAs Chief Executive it has always been important to me that you hear transparently from me in relation to news that may be relevant to our Group.I recently underwent my annual routine medical check-up and during the course of this an early stage 1 cancerous polyp was identified in my colon.My doctor has advised me that this can be successfully removed through a standard medical procedure. As a consequence, I wanted to let you know that whilst I will be working normally for July I will be having a scheduled medical procedure during the first week in August, and following a period of recuperation I expect to be back to work in September.

It is very gratifying to me that I have highly committed and very capable colleagues throughout our Group and on our Board. Therefore my short absence will not adversely impact on the strong progress we are making against our shared objectives for the Group.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued hard work, dedication and professionalism in driving forward the progress we have made, and will continue to make in the period ahead.

With thanks

Richie

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