Alan is a Startup and scaling SME expert, Supporting commercialisation, Internationalisation and funding for growth strategies. He is an innovative and leadership expert, with extensive experience with enterprise agencies around Europe and has been a founder of several technology companies. He has supported the raise of >€20m in angel/VC funding.

Lorcan Bourke works as Fresh Produce & Potatoes Manager in the Horticulture & Meat Division of Bord Bia. He has worked for almost 30 years in the Irish food and horticulture industry, with 20 years of this time working in Bord Bia. It is Bord Bia’s mission to drive, through market insight, and, in partnership with industry, the commercial success of a world-class food, drink and horticulture industry. In this context, his role involves the development and implementation of strategic plans, undertaking market research and implementing promotional programmes within the horticultural industry.

Joe retired from Wavin Ireland as Business Development Manager after 47 years of service. During his time in Wavin, he has been involved in direct sales, project sales, merchandising, key account management and business development. Joe has 20 years’ experience in training staff in product knowledge and sales techniques.

Mario is a lecturer with the School of Business & Humanities, Dundalk Institute of Technology. He works closely with many business support organisations and SME's in the region consulting on business planning and development issues. Mario has a background of 37 years in the international industry at senior management level through this time holding eight directorship positions with manufacturing and financial services companies.

Rebecca Harrison, former President of Network Ireland, the leading organisation for women in business, currently sits on the National Retail Consultation Forum, the Board of Retail Excellence Ireland and the SFA’s Skillnet Steering Committee. She is managing director of Fishers of Newtownmountkennedy department store & founder of Food at Fishers Café.

Niamh is Chief Operations Officer and Director of Programmes at DCU Ryan Academy with a demonstrated history of designing, developing, recruiting for and execution of high quality accelerator programmes for early-stage start-ups and experienced entrepreneurs in Ireland. Most notably Niamh is Programme Director for the Award Winning ‘Female High Fliers Accelerator Programme’, among other Academy accelerator programmes. Development and management of relationships with stakeholders; including national organisations, state bodies and industry, is an integral part of Niamh’s role at the Academy.

Sonia has spent the last two decades working in Human Resources, she was MD of SAB Consultancy, Human Resources Director for Siemens in Ireland up until July 2017 and is now the founder and Director of The Green Door Group since January 2018.

Sonia has extensive experience in all Human Resource functions, Leadership Development, Emotional intelligence, Employee Engagement and Change Management.

Sonia holds a degree in Employment Law from The Honorable Society of Kings Inns, a Diploma in Coaching and is a member of the ICF and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.

Pictured: Margaret Reilly, CEO, Grand Designs Kitchen & Bathrooms LTD & Peter Dolan, Manager, Scotch Hall Shopping Centre (Award Sponsor)

Pictured: Evelyn Garland and Luke Judge, Simply Fit Food and Emer Dunne, WaterWipes ( Award Sponsor)

Pictured: Catherine McGovern, Cyril Laffin, CityNorth Hotel & Liam Reilly Louth County Council (Award Sponsor)

Pictured: Grainne Berrill, Louth Volunteer Centre & Niall Franklin, Hanley Energy (Award Sponsor)

Pictured: Bronagh Conlon, Listoke Distillery & Thomas McEvoy, LEO Louth (Award Sponsor)

Pictured: John Malone & Cathy Malone, Malones Toyota Drogheda & Nicola Tighe, AIB ( Award Sponsor)

Pictured Martina & Sarah Fitzpatrick, No three Old Bar & Restaurant & Rory Callaghan (Award Sponsor)

Pictured Marie Fleming, Padraic Kierans & Aidan Kennedy (Award Sponsor)

Pictured John Hurley & Francis Hurley, & Peter Rowan (Award Sponsor)