Anchor High Summit- Speakers
Here are some of the speakers that will be taking to the stage at the Hilton Belfast on May 29th.
Simon Coveney
Born and raised in Cork, Simon Coveney has been a leading figure in Irish public life for more than two decades. A proud Corkonian, he studied at University College Cork and Gurteen Agricultural College before stepping into politics.
First elected as a TD for Cork South-Central in 1998, Simon has since built a distinguished career in both Irish and European politics. He served as an MEP between 2004 and 2007 and went on to hold senior ministerial roles across Agriculture, Defence, Housing, Foreign Affairs, and Enterprise. From 2017 to 2020, he served as Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and remained deputy leader of Fine Gael until 2024.
Lee Collinson
Managing Director, National Head of Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics
Dr. Karen Bonner
Principal Economist, Ulster University Economic Policy Centre
Dr Karen Bonner is a Principal Economist at the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre where she leads the firm-level strand of research focusing on NI businesses. Karen has over twenty years’ experience in economic policy research and her interests lie within the area of entrepreneurship, innovation and SME growth. Karen is one of the UK team members on the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) project, regarded as the world’s foremost study of entrepreneurial activity. She is also part of the research team on the Atlantic Futures project, undertaking research into the entrepreneurial ecosystems and digital opportunities in the West coast of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Dr. Lisa Wilson
Senior Economist, Nevin Economic Research Institute
Dr Lisa Wilson is a Senior Economist at the Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI), where she leads a comprehensive research agenda focusing on labour markets, income distribution, poverty, public expenditure, living standards, and societal well-being. She also is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
Beyond her research roles, Lisa contributes her expertise as an independent advisor to the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland, offering strategic guidance on initiatives aimed at promoting ‘good jobs’ and inclusive economic development. She previously served as a member of the Independent Fiscal Commission for Northern Ireland.
Lisa earned her BSc (Hons) from Ulster University in 2007 and completed her postgraduate studies at Queen’s University Belfast, where she was awarded a PhD for her research on income inequality and well-being.
A native of Donegal, Lisa remains deeply committed to the economic development and social progress of Northern Ireland and the North West region.
Darren McVicker
Director, Executive Recruitment, Vickerstock Ltd
Vickerstock Recruitment is a specialist recruitment consultancy with over 15 years of expertise focused on the manufacturing sector across Ireland and the Uk.
We partner with manufacturing clients ranging across multiple sectors delivering tailored recruitment solutions that build teams, build careers, and drive operational excellence.
Our people’s talent, matched with our technology and tools, enable us to fill critical roles at speed and accurately from the production floor through to senior and executive leadership.
After 15 years and over 5,000 successful assignments, we understand the nuances of vacancies and offer a precision solution to meet client needs.
Mark Hutchinson
CEO at Hutchinson
Mark is the CEO of Hutchinson, a leading engineering firm specialising in high-quality metal components, fabrications, and sub-assemblies for global machinery brands across the agriculture, materials handling, and recycling sectors. With a growing focus on chassis for electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, Hutchinson stands at the forefront of innovation in sustainable engineering.
Mark brings a strategic vision to his leadership, guiding the company through significant growth by aligning business operations with long-term objectives and fostering operational excellence. With a solid engineering background and deep industry insight, he has built Hutchinson’s brand around three core values: curiosity, collaboration, and culture.
His pragmatic and forward-thinking approach is not only evident in the company’s trajectory but also in his broader commitment to industry development and community engagement. In 2022, Mark became a Chartered Director following completion of the Institute of Directors Diploma, further strengthening his credentials as a leader. More recently, he completed the ScaleX Accelerator Programme, reinforcing his commitment to continuous learning and growth.
Mark is passionate about sharing experiences and empowering others. He believes that better is always possible, and his story reflects a dedication to progress—both within Hutchinson and beyond.
Alan Lavery
Director, Connected Data and AI Gen AI Lead, KPMG
Alan is a Consulting Director with almost 25 years of advisory and consulting experience, working with Irish, UK, and international businesses. Alan, a Chartered Civil Engineer by background, leads the Belfast Centre of Excellence and specialises in the appraisal, design, and implementation of data strategies, data solutions, and the adoption of Artificial Intelligence across a wide variety of business types. Alan’s industry experience covers Energy and Utilities, Defence, Infrastructure, Public Sector, and Retail.
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Tickets and registration for Anchor High are available here