Media group Independent News and Media (INM) has announced that Kieran Mulvey has been appointed as a non-executive director of the company.

Mr Mulvey, former director-general of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), was nominated to the board by businessman Denis O'Brien - the company's largest shareholder.

INM says it is currently "actively engaged" in securing a further candidate for appointment to the board to comply with corporate governance standards.

It hopes to make a further announcement on this in the coming months.

Mr Mulvey has had a long career in the public service - serving as WRC director-general and formerly chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission for over 25 years.

He retired from this role in 2016, but has remained active in industrial relations.

Most recently, he negotiated successful talks between Ryanair and its Irish-based pilots following several days of strikes.

He has also served on the governing boards of a number of public bodies - including University College Dublin, the Independent Radio and Television Commission and the National Economic and Social Council.

Among other roles, he is currently a director of Dublin City University DAC, chairman of Adare Human Resources Ltd and chairman of Sport Ireland.

Mr Mulvey has extensive experience on projects with the European Union and the International Labour Organisation.

Chairman of INM, Murdoch MacLennan, said: "I would like to welcome Kieran to the INM board.

"His wide-ranging industrial relations and business experience will add significantly to the calibre of our board as we face up to the many challenges that lie ahead."

Mr Mulvey does not hold, and has not in the past five years held, a directorship in any other publicly quoted company.

Among INM's titles are the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, The Herald and the Belfast Telegraph.