The chair in de Vere’s sale – number 17 of 100 issued, is listed with an estimate of €4,000–€6,000. ... have graced the boardroom of the Gowan Group in Ballsbridge since the 1960s.

Many company chairs are former chief executives, but the skills that make people good CEOs may not be any use when they take the top job in the boardroom, writes Andrew Robertson.