To date, we have seen 6,080 individuals have become the director of an Irish company for the first time in 2014.

40% of these individuals are female with their average age being 41 years old. Males who have become directors for the first time this year are, on average, 42 years old.

This figure for first time director appointments is aided by the almost 11% increase in company start-ups we've seen this year.

2,977 company start-ups were incorporated in the first two months of the year which is 10.6% up on the same period in 2013 and is the highest total we've seen for that period since 2008.

The most popular industry for company start-ups this year is professional services which accounts for just over a quarter of all new companies. Wholesale & retail and social and personal services, between them, account for a further 19% of start-ups.