Brent Pope

Brent Pope is a former New Zealand international rugby player, professional sports Coach and well known Irish media personality. He has a fashion brand called POPE, and is a fully qualified psychotherapist. Brent is an award winning author, penning a number of children’s book, an autobiography, titled ‘If You Really Knew Me’ that was shortlisted as one of the best sports books in the UK in 2012, and is the award winning author of a mental health bestselling book entitled “Win.” Brent has been a mental health advocate for nearly 20 years, and in w2023 was awarded a prestigious IBEC lifetime award for services to mental health. Brent is having been a mental wellness ambassador for many high profile companies and charities including St Patricks Hospital, Pieta House, Samaritans, Cycle Against Suicide and Iamhere. In 2023 Brent founded the “Elephant in The Room Movement” a global initiative bringing greater awareness to mental health issues. Brent’s powerful and often emotional talks combine a life lived through mental health illness, his journey to recovery and his take on how people need to make mental health a priority. He is currently one of the most sought after speakers in this area in Ireland and the UK. 

Maeve Monaghan

Chief Executive Officer, NOW Group

Maeve was appointed to NOW Group in 2001 and has been responsible for the development of the organisation for over 20 years and believes passionately in the rights of people with disabilities to have equal access to high quality training and employment.   

NOW Group, a limited company with charitable status, is an award-winning social enterprise that operates across the island of Ireland and supports people with learning difficulties, Autism and neurodiverse conditions into jobs with a future. 

The organisation also operates successful social enterprise businesses including Loaf Catering, and JAM Card, the profits from which go back into NOW Group’s work. 

Lindsay Colton

Digital Transformation Manager, Terex MP Group

Lindsay is a Digital Transformation Manager working to support digital transformation across 23 sites globally within Terex Materials Processing. Lindsay has an MSC in Physics from the Queen’s University of Belfast and over 20 years’ experience working in manufacturing industry, from automotive and oil and gas to crushing and screening. In the past 20 years she has worked across a range of functions including design, process engineering, supply chain and quality and has a clear understanding of operational demands and requirements. Lindsay is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace to drive innovation and guarantee equality and equity.

Kevin McNamee

Group Chief Executive Officer, Denroy

Kevin is a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and trained with Coopers and Lybrand in Belfast before joining Denroy Group in 1997 as Financial Accountant. Kevin left the Group in 1999 to join Kingspan PLC where he was finance director in several of the group’s divisions over the following 15 years. Kevin gained considerable experience over this period of manufacturing systems and international business as well as financial reporting and management and mergers and acquisitions.

Kevin left Kingspan in 2013 to establish a business consulting practice and completed a number of contracts advising manufacturing companies as well as taking board positions in a several venture capital funded businesses.

Kevin re-joined Denroy in 2014 taking the role of Group Finance Director and was appointed Group CEO in 2019.

Since taking over as Group Chief executive, Denroy Group’s turnover has doubled from £18m to £35m with a further doubling planned over the next 3-4 years.

Laura McGrath

Marketing and Corporate Communication, Mallaghan

Currently working as the Marketing and Communication Lead for Mallaghan Engineering, Laura’s role provides her with diverse opportunities to collaborate and lead on a range of projects including commercial activities, employee engagement, and Mallaghan’s community relations.

She is passionate about Mallaghan’s people and company culture. 

Alan Lavery

Director, Connected Data and AI Gen AI Lead, KPMG

Alan is a Consulting Director with 23 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. 

John Mathers

Director, Barclays Corporate Banking

A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, John has worked in the Barclays Corporate Banking team since 2015 and has over 15 years’ experience in corporate banking. John has led the structuring of debt finance and other banking solutions for both new and existing customers to support their growth, investment and acquisition ambitions covering privately-owned and listed corporates across various industries, including manufacturing.

Elizabeth O’Connor

Director of People & Governance, MJM Marine

Elizabeth O’Connor is Director of People and Governance at MJM Marine Ltd, a company which specialises in the fit out of Cruise Ships. She manages the provision of Human Resource services within the company. Having worked as a private practice and company solicitor, for many years, specialising in Employment law, she decided on a career change to HR Management. Her dual Legal/ HR qualifications are of benefit not only in her HR role, but throughout the company’s operations. She has extensive experience in the recruitment process ranging from overseeing the MJM student engagement “Navigate Programme” to sponsoring employees to work at MJM from throughout the world.

Cecil McBurney

Corporate Operations Director, River Ridge Recycling

Cecil joined RiverRidge as Corporate Operations Officer in August 2017. Having served with Bombardier for 23 years, he left as Operations and Plant Engineering Director.
Cecil’s experience lies in the integration of automated technologies within industry, decarbonisation of the workplace through smart energy management and the development of large scale renewable generation within the solar, biogas and energy from waste sectors.
As part of his existing role within Riverridge Cecil has developed a decarbonisation roadmap to align with government policy and legislation. Through the introduction of emerging technologies the decarbonisation roadmap will not only support Riverridge’s commitments but also its customer base in delivering their scope three commitments in the disposal of waste in a sustainable manner.

David Moore

CEO & Co Founder- Viska Systems

David Moore is the CEO of Viska Systems, a pioneering Machine Vision and Robotics company in Ireland. With over 8 years in leadership, he drives innovation in automated vision inspection systems for medical devices, electronics, and semiconductors. David‘s expertise in machine vision, deep learning, and robotics has led to the successful deployment of systems inspecting over €1bn worth of products annually. With a diverse background in R&D management and consultancy, David is a visionary leader driving technological advancement in multiple industries.

Mark McEvoy

Sales Director, Camden Group

As Sales Director at Camden Group, Mark helps champion sustainability, people, quality, and sales direction within our circular business operation. With a strong commitment to ESG principles, Mark leads initiatives that integrate sales strategies with Camden’s dedication to environmental responsibility, quality and profitability. 

Brian Reid

Co-Founder & CEO, Deli Lites Ireland

With over 25 years of experience in the food manufacturing industry Brian has faced many business challenges and has developed tools to overcome them. He has shaped an agile and innovative business with both a local and global customer base.

His passion for simultaneously sustaining planet and people played a pivotal role in Deli Lites Ireland becoming the first sandwich manufacturer worldwide to achieve BCorp certification.

Brian’s dynamic leadership and drive to use business as a force for good will inspire the next generation of impactful entrepreneurs.

Gerry Graham

Automation Division Manager, Reliance Automation

Gerry Graham is a seasoned professional with a remarkable tenure at Reliance, spanning over four decades. Gerry has been an integral part of Reliance since 1978, now serving as Automation Manager. Throughout his tenure, Gerry has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s technological advancements and ensuring its position at the forefront of the industry. His expertise in automation systems, coupled with his keen insight into market trends, has guided Reliance through numerous successful projects and initiatives. Gerry is well known in the industry with suppliers, colleagues and customers for his expert knowledge and support.