2026 Annual Conference

Peter Osborne

Chair, Centre for Cross Border Cooperation

Peter has been involved in good relations and reconciliation most of his life working in the private sector and with many public agencies and Councils in Ireland, North and South.

He was Chair of the Community Relations Council and prior to that, for ten years, he was Commissioner then Chair of the Parades Commission. He was also an elected representative for 12 years and on the board of the International Fund for Ireland.

Peter founded and chaired Landmark East (now Eastside Property), a property-based social enterprise with assets of approximately £10 million.

He is a member of the Policing Board and of the Judicial Appointments Commission. He is chair of the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation, chair of the Integrated Education Fund and of Remembering Srebrenica in Northern Ireland.

James Lawless, TD

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Aisling Cannon

Former student of Queen’s University Belfast

Aisling is an LLM International Human Rights Law student at Queen’s University Belfast. Originally from Donegal, she graduated with an LLB in Law from Queen’s last July. She is currently working in Dublin for Philip Lee LLP while completing her dissertation.

In 2023, she co-founded the QUB Walkie Talkie Girlies, a student society that hosts weekly walks to help people feel safe whilst exercising and socialising and has amassed over 1,000 members since its establishment. Aisling is also the lead organiser of WTG’s Project Pink, an award-winning annual awareness walk tackling violence against women and girls.

Molly Clifford

Former student at University College Cork

Molly is a Foundation Year 1 (F1) doctor at St James’s Hospital, Dublin, having graduated in Medicine from University College Cork after five years of study.

Originally from Co Derry, Molly was one of the few students ever in her school to choose to study medicine in the Republic of Ireland. Her cross-border educational journey has given her a unique perspective on medical training, student life, and healthcare across the island of Ireland.

Outside medicine, Molly recently appeared on the BBC’s “Race Across the World” alongside her father, Andrew. The pair finished as runners-up in the popular travel competition, bringing resilience, teamwork and a spirit of adventure to audiences across the UK.

Beth Dunbar

Former student at the University of Leeds

From Belfast, Beth studied Politics and Sociology at the University of Leeds, graduating with First Class Honours. Her academic interests focused on human rights, statelessness, asylum, and political legitimacy, with her dissertation examining non-state political violence and the parameters of legitimacy.

She later completed an MSc in Public Policy and Management at the University of Glasgow, graduating with Distinction, where her dissertation explored how political language is used to legitimise human rights violations, focusing on parliamentary debates surrounding asylum seekers and refugees.

Beth now works at the Ministry of Justice, as a Decision Maker within the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, assessing claims from victims of violent crime. Her work involves evidence-based decision making, providing public recognition and compensation to victims of serious harm.

Aidan Garner

Former student at Queen’s University Belfast

Aidan is a researcher at Demos – Britain’s leading cross-party think tank – where he has a particular interest in constitutional and institutional democratic reforms, devolution and regional growth, savings mechanisms, and skills policy. His research and writing covers a wide variety of policy areas and he has co-authored several reports on topics including housing and planning, immigration, and public service reform.

He currently delivers the Waves programme – scaling digital deliberative democracy in local government – and contributes to Demos’s ongoing work to depolarise immigration through public participation. Within Demos’s Public Service Reform team, he researches how public services can be redesigned around relational, preventative, and place-based principles, and how reforming the centre of government can engender reform further downstream at the local and devolved government level.

Prior to joining Demos, Aidan studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Queen’s University Belfast, followed by a Public Policy MSc at UCL. He has a background in devolved and local policymaking, including working on skills policy in the Department for the Economy in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Having moved from the North East of England to live, study, and work in Belfast before moving into the think tank sector in London, he is deeply interested in how power, economic growth, and democratic participation are organised across these islands.

Dr Billy Bennett

Registrar and Chief Academic Officer, Atlantic Technological University

Billy is the Registrar and Chief Academic Officer at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and member of the University’s Senior Leadership Team. He previously held the posts of Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar at ATU and at Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT), and Head of School of Business and Head of Teaching and Learning at LYIT. 

Billy is on the Boards of Directors of Asiera CLG, where he chairs the Audit and Risk Committee, and the Central Applications Office, where he chairs the CAO’s Strategic Planning Committee.  He is a member of the Advance HE (UK) Leadership and Transformation Strategic Advisory Group; the Universities Ireland Council; the Quality and Qualifications Ireland Programmes and Awards Oversight Committee; the Advance HE Irish Strategic Advisory Board; the Atlantic and Border Tertiary Cluster Steering Group; the Technological Universities Association Internal Audit Steering Group; the National Transitions Group; and the Tertiary Partners’ Network. 

Prof Kristel Miller

Professor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, Ulster University

Kristel is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development at Ulster University. Her expertise intersects the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, strategy and regional competitiveness. Kristel’s research has attracted over £5million of research funding to date working with businesses, community and voluntary sector and policy makers. She is the principal investigator of a £4.8 million UKRI funded Local Policy Innovation Partnership called EPIC Futures NI, which seeks to provide an evidence base for policy and programmes related to helping individuals access fair and inclusive employment across Northern Ireland. She is also a co-investigator on a €4 million Shared Island cross-border project, Atlantic Futures, which explores how to enhance regional development on the west coast of the Island of Ireland. Kristel has published widely in internationally renowned journals, and is a regular speaker at international conferences and events. She is also a director of Innovation Ulster Limited, which is a university technology commercialisation spin-out vehicle. Kristel is an expert reviewer for the European Commission and the ESRC and also engages with SMEs to help them grow their business.

Prof John Doyle

Vice President for Research, Dublin City University

John is Vice President for Research, and Professor of Politics in Dublin City University with 30 years’ experience researching Northern Ireland, international conflict and peace processes, and most recently the consequences of Brexit.

He is commissioning editor for the Royal Irish Academy-University of Notre Dame collaboration ARINS, which has produced a series of peer-reviewed research articles, which compare the two parts of the island in a range of areas from economics to education, health and culture, while also looking to the future of the island. John’s latest book, Before the Vote: planning for a united Ireland, will be published in late September.  

Claire McGee

Chief Executive, Technological Universities Association

Claire is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Technological Universities Association (TUA), appointed in April 2026. She is an experienced leader in public policy and high education, with a strong track record in shaping Ireland’s skills and innovation agenda.

Prior to this role, Claire served as Head of Public Policy at the Law Society of Ireland and as Head of Education and Innovation Policy at Ibec, where she was a leading voice in strengthening links between enterprise and education.

As CEO, she leads the strategic direction of the TUA, representing Ireland’s technological universities and institutes of technology, and championing their role in driving regional development, enterprise engagement and future skills provision.

Alistair Stewart

Director of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, Queen's University Belfast

Alistair is a former civil servant, holding a variety of roles, including within the Private Office of the Minister for Employment and Learning, working closely with senior officials and Ministers. Subsequently, he worked as a project manager on the Shared Education Programme at the School of Education at Queen’s University Belfast, which led to the Shared Education Act (NI). As Director of Civic Engagement and Strategic Communications, Alistair leads a dynamic team of engagement professionals to build partnerships and influence key stakeholders across the political, civic and business sectors, locally, regionally and internationally, developing and delivering the University’s flagship Social and Civic Responsibility projects.

Conor Thompson

Head of Advocacy and Policy, AONTAS

Conor is Head of Advocacy and Policy at AONTAS, Ireland’s National Adult Learning Organisation, which works on an all-island basis. He leads the organisation’s advocacy work, drawing on evidence from learners, educators, and providers to influence policy and strengthen adult and community education across the island of Ireland.

With a background as a Further Education teacher, Conor has worked as an English language and adult literacy tutor, and has worked in higher education access and support for disabled students. His classroom experience continues to inform his approach, with a focus on improving equality, access, and inclusion across diverse educational contexts.

Barney Ely

Senior Managing Director Ireland and Northern Ireland, Hays Recruitment

Barney is leading the organisation’s business across Ireland and Northern Ireland. With more than 25 years of experience in recruitment, leadership and workforce consulting, he has built a reputation for helping organisations navigate changing labour market dynamics and secure the talent needed to drive growth. Barney works closely with employers across sectors including technology, life sciences, construction, engineering and professional services, providing insight into workforce trends, skills availability and hiring strategies.

Maeve McElwee

Executive Director, Ibec

Maeve is a leader in Employer and Industrial Relations with over 25 years’ extensive experience of employment law, negotiations, dispute management, strategic HR and lobbying.  Maeve is a member of the Labour Employer Economic Forum, an Alternate Member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization and is on the Managing Board of Eurofound (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions).

Maeve has previously been a member of the Workplace Relations Commission Board and a Council member of National Economic and Social Council.  Prior to joining Ibec, Maeve worked with the World Bank.

Kirsty McManus

National Director, Institute of Directors Northern Ireland

Kirsty was appointed Director for Professional Development Services in March 2023. The Institute supports over 5,000 leaders each year in their professional development journey. Kirsty has oversight for the development, delivery and assessment of the highly regarded Chartered Director qualification.

Kirsty’s appointment followed a successful career during which she has held senior positions at the Ulster University, the Confederation of British Industry and Vistage in California.

Kirsty has over 20 years’ experience working in markets such as the United States and Europe.

Kirsty was a founding member of the Northern Ireland Business Brexit working group.

Kirsty has a degree in Information Management from Queen’s University Belfast, an MBA from Ulster University Business School and achieved the IoD Diploma in Company Direction.

Kirsty is also a trustee of Charis Cancer Charity. Kirsty was appointed a member of Intertrade UK, which supports the East-West Council (EWC) in promoting all internal UK trade.

Lisa Wilson

Senior Economist, Nevin Economic Research Institute

Lisa is a Senior Economist at the Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) where she carries out a broad range of work in areas related to labour market, income distribution, poverty, public expenditure, living standards, and well-being. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor in University College Dublin’s School of Business.

Lisa’s dedication to advancing the well-being of individuals and communities extends beyond her research role. She serves as an independent expert to the Minister for Economy in Northern Ireland, offering strategic guidance on initiatives related to ‘good jobs’. In addition to her role at the NERI, Lisa is a former member of the Independent Fiscal Commission in Northern Ireland.

She graduated with a BSc Hons from Ulster University in 2007 and later pursued her postgraduate studies at Queen’s University, Belfast. She holds a PhD from Queen’s University, focusing her research on income inequality and well-being.

Lisa is a proud Donegal native, and is deeply committed to the economic development and social progress of Northern Ireland and the North West.

John McDonagh

Chief Executive, Waterways Ireland

John joined Waterways Ireland in 2019 in his first public sector role. Prior to this John spent much of his career in the private sector in senior roles such as Retail Director and Country Manager in Shell Ireland. More latterly, John was Sales and Marketing Director with Liberty Insurance. John has also consulted across multiple sectors.

John is an English and History graduate from University College Dublin, and he holds a master’s degree in finance. He represented UCD Soccer Club in its first year in League of Ireland and for his sins continues to be a Manchester United fan!

Waterways Ireland is a cross-border body accountable to the North South Ministerial Council under the 1998 British Irish Agreement.

The organisation is headquartered in Enniskillen and has satellite offices in Dublin, Carrick-on-Shannon, and Scarriff.

Siobhán Fearon

Strategy & Policy Manager, InterTradeIreland

Appointed Strategy and Policy Manager at InterTradeIreland in July 2024, Siobhán is responsible for engaging with key stakeholders across the island to identify opportunities for cross-border collaboration, and for leading the organisation’s policy agenda in alignment with the economic priorities of both governments. She has a background in the community and voluntary sector, local government and further education, and has worked extensively as a partnership and project manager, facilitator and trainer, including managing projects in complex political environments. Siobhán brings a strong commitment to collaborative working, diplomacy and communication.

Damian Duffy

Principal and Chief Executive, Belfast Met

Damian has been involved in working for the public sector in both the UK, Northern Ireland and Europe for over 30 years. Leading on complex reform programmes across a range of areas including skills, EU integration, civil service reform and regional economic development, he has worked for the EU Commission, UK Foreign Office and World Bank.

Damian was appointed Principal and Chief Executive in February 2026 having held the Interim role from August 2024. He joined Belfast Met in 2011 as an Executive Director of Development to support the organisation reconfiguration as part of a College Improvement Plan. In the last 15 years he has taken the lead on a variety of functions across the College including Curriculum Development, Business Innovation, Skills and Apprenticeships and Digital Services. Under Damian’s direction the College had enjoyed national success, winning awards for employer engagement and digital innovation and built a reputation for developing new programmes.

He is currently Co-Chair of the Belfast City Council Economy Board and Chair of the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) Employability and Skills Board having led the development of the original skills proposals to secure Treasury investment for the region. A member of the Department for the Economy Ministerial AI Advisory Panel Damian is leading on the development of a number of AI Skills Programmes. A passionate supporter of social inclusion, Damian is a Board member of USEL Disability and Employment Group. In 2020 he was invited to contribute to the work of UK Commission on the College of the Future reflecting on the role of FE Colleges in supporting their dual mandate for economic development and social inclusion.

Dawn Purvis

Former MLA and Leader of the Progressive Unionist Party

Dawn is Head of Corporate Affairs at Choice Housing Ireland Limited and a Former MLA and Leader of the Progressive Unionist Party. She was Northern Ireland Director of Marie Stopes International who established the first Reproductive and Sexual Health Clinic on the island.

She is the Vice-chair of the John and Pat Hume Foundation, a Board member with Healing Through Remembering and Chair of Positive Life, a charity that supports individuals and families living with HIV.