BelFast Forward Connectivity Conference
Tuesday 4th June
Speaker & Panelists
Welcome to BelFast Forward Connectivity Conference, which is dedicated to advancing connectivity in our vibrant city of Belfast and the wider region. Our esteemed panel of speakers, hailing from both local and international backgrounds, are at the forefront of investment in capacity building, technology, decarbonisation, and future mobility.
![sample](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/sample.png)
Michael Robinson
Port Director
Belfast Harbour
![Katy Best](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Katy%20Best.png)
Katy Best
Chief Commercial Officer
Belfast City Airport
![John Healy-1](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/John%20Healy-1.png)
Duncan McAllister
Head of Belfast Grand Central Station and Weavers Cross Programne
Translink
![Mark Price](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Mark%20Price.png)
Mark Price
Professor of Aeronautics
QUB
![Sam Turner](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Sam%20Turner.png)
Sam Turner
CEO, Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre
QUB
![Aishlinn Rice](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Aishlinn%20Rice.png)
Dr Aislinn Rice
Managing Director
Analytics Engines
![Steve Berry](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Steve%20Berry.png)
Steve Berry
Executive Chairman & Co-Founder
Angoka
![Cliona OBoyle](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Cliona%20OBoyle.png)
Cliona O'Boyle
Head of Innovation
BT Group
![Finbarr McEvoy](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Finbarr%20McEvoy.png)
Finbarr McEvoy
Chief Engineer for European Space & Defence
Spirit AeroSystems
![Laura ONeill](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Laura%20ONeill.png)
Laura O'Neill
Digital Transformation Manager
Belfast Harbour
![Iain Percy](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Iain%20Percy.png)
Dr Iain Percy OBE
Chief Executive Officer
Artemis Technologies
![Chris Brown](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Chris%20Brown.png)
Chris Brown
Strategy & Commercial Due Diligence
KPMG Ireland
![Russell Smyth](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Russell%20Smyth.png)
Russell Smyth
Head of Sustainable Futures
KPMG Ireland
![Rachel S](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Rachel%20S.png)
Rachel Sankannawar
Head of Green Economy Development
Invest NI
![Sonya Kerr](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Sonya%20Kerr.png)
Sonya Kerr
Chief Commercialisation Officer
Catagen
![Paul Kennedy](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Paul%20Kennedy.png)
Paul Kennedy
Renewables Development Manager
Power NI
![BenMurray](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/BenMurray.png)
Ben Murray
Chief of Staff & Corporate Affairs
Harland & Wolff
![Mark Gillan](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Mark%20Gillan.png)
Professor Mark Gillan
Associate Vice President Technologies & Special Projects
KAUST
![Tony Phipps](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Tony%20Phipps.png)
Tony Phipps
Chief of Future Methods
Rolls Royce Plc
![Guido Lemeire](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Guido%20Lemeire.png)
Guido Lemeire
Industry Executive
Microsoft
![5](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/5.png)
Susan Hayes-Culleton
Chair & Host
![Duncan McAllister](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/Duncan%20McAllister.png)
John Healy OBE
Chair
Invest NI
![1-1](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hubfs/1-1.png)
Clare Guinness
Chief Executive Officer
Belfast Chamber
Hear from the Sponsors
Hear from the Speakers
Principal Sponsors Supporting Sponsors
![1](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1.png?width=1200&height=1200&name=1.png)
![Belfast Harbour](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Belfast%20Harbour.png?width=822&height=210&name=Belfast%20Harbour.png)
![INI Logo trans](https://info.belfastchamber.com/hs-fs/hubfs/INI%20Logo%20trans.png?width=1277&height=1158&name=INI%20Logo%20trans.png)
Hear from CEO and Sponsors
“Whilst recognising that we live on an island, future connectivity must strive to be as sustainable as possible. We’ll be exploring Belfast as a future gateway to facilitate travel and trade, but also looking at our digital and data requirements, in addition to green energy and decarbonisation initiatives that are driving innovation for our city.
“The conference will study how Belfast is the perfect testbed for innovation given the strength of our established design and advanced manufacturing companies. We’ll also explore how our connectivity fortunes will require collaboration and imagination from all stakeholders to propel Belfast to new levels of prosperity."
“Connectivity is critical to the economic success of Belfast and the wider region but is often taken for granted or overlooked.
“Belfast City Airport is a strategic infrastructure asset and an economic enabler for the city, providing connectivity to 30 airports and global hubs across the UK and Europe.
“We are a facilitator for the movement of the skills and talent to support Belfast’s growing workforce and stand ready to play our part in delivering Belfast’s economic ambition.”
“Connectivity is a key consideration for Belfast Harbour as we strive to reach our strategic goals of being a leading regional port, an economic hub for the region and to create an iconic waterfront for the city. Every year, more than 1.75 million people and over half a million freight vehicles arrive and depart through the Port, while 24 million tonnes of goods come into and out of Belfast on ferries, container ships and cargo vessels.
“As Northern Ireland’s main gateway for seaborne trade we are also investing significantly in connectivity through smart technology, including our own private 5G network, so the issues which will be discussed at this important event are very relevant to us, and our customers.”