KBC Group has announced that the head of its Irish operations is to step down later this year to begin a new role as the chief executive of the bank's Czech Business Unit.
Aleš Blažek will take up his new position from May 5.
Mr Blažek will also join the bank's executive committee, subject to approval by the National Bank of Belgium and the European Central Bank.
He will replace John Hollows, the current CEO of the Czech Business Unit, who is retiring after a career of nearly 26 years with KBC.
"I am delighted to welcome his successor Aleš," said Koenraad Debackere, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KBC Group.
"I'm convinced that his deep insights and far-reaching and extensive international experience in the financial sector and as CEO of KBC Bank Ireland at a crucial moment in its history, will help him to lead the Czech Business Unit through the challenging times of unprecedented change, innovation and digital transformation we are currently going through."
Mr Blažek's appointment has been approved by the Czech National Bank.
A successor to Aleš Blažek in the role of CEO of KBC Bank Ireland has been identified, the group said.
His identity will be announced shortly, it added, once his appointment has been approved by the European Central Bank.
Mr Blažek was appointed to the role of Head of KBC Bank Ireland just last year.
In the intervening period he has been involved in leading the bank's plans to exit Ireland.
This involves the sale of performing loan assets and its deposit book to Bank of Ireland, as well as a small portfolio of non-performing mortgages.
The bank has also sold its remaining non-performing mortgages to a fund managed by CarVal Investors.
