Annual Conference 2024 | Speakers

JONATHAN HEALY - CONFERENCE CHAIRPERSON

Jonathan Healy has spent a quarter of a century working at the highest levels of Irish broadcasting, having worked extensively with Newstalk, Sky News, RTE and Cork’s RedFM. He established Healy Communications in 2017 with the express goal of helping businesses and improve their storytelling.

A graduate of law from University College Cork, Jonathan has conducted thousands of interviews with people from all walks of Irish life. A skilled inquisitor and proven cross-platform content creator, he has cultivated extensive contacts across politics, business and public relations throughout the country.

He also has strong links to the charity sector, serving as voluntary Chairman of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and board member of the Cork Midsummer Festival.

Jonathan is also a proven event facilitator and engaging MC. He has also delivered high impact voice-over work for corporate videos and campaigns. Jonathan passionately believes in the power of communication, and how it can be harnessed to support the needs of his clients.

DR. KAREN WEEKES -  PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGIST &  ENDURANCE ADVENTURER

Karen Weekes is a performance psychologist and endurance adventurer. In February 2022, she became the first Irish female to row the Atlantic ocean solo and unsupported. 
 
Working within business and sports teams for thirty years, Karen specialises in cognitive and practical coping strategies, pressure management and specific mechanisms for proactive motivation to achieve optimal performance in competitive business and sporting environments.
 
Her PhD and MSc research explored motivation and coping within ultra-endurance sport, which are tested throughout her personal endurance exploits.
 
Twenty years University lecturing experience assures the client that quality communication and education for clients is present in all interactions.

 

MARIE GLEESON - FORMER IRISH NAVY CAPTAIN

Former Irish Navy Ships Captain & Motivational Speaker Marie Gleeson honed her leadership style over the course of a twenty year military career operating primarily in the harsh and hostile Atlantic Ocean. Her journey from naval cadet to Captain of the LE AOIFE has given her unique insight into people and how to maximise performance even in the most challenging of circumstances. She has experienced the highs of international drug busts to the tragedy of the loss of a colleague overboard at sea.

Marie was one of the first female officers in the Irish navy and this gives her a unique insight into the reality of leading in a “mans” world. Marie is an honest and engaging speaker who brings her experience to life in her keynotes. She discusses the reality of decision making in high pressure and time critical operational environments and translates this into key leadership lessons for the business world.

Overall, the cornerstone of a military career is that service comes before self and this was the reality for Marie in her career until life threw a curveball of magnitude in her path. Marie’s personal story highlights the importance of support and resilience in the face of adversity.

Marie is an insightful, humorous and passionate speaker who combines her professional and personal experience to tailor her keynotes to maximum effect for her audience.

DANIEL McCONNELL -  EDITOR IN CHIEF, BUSINESS POST

A national newspaper journalist since 2003, Daniel McConnell has a proven track record of delivering agenda-setting news coverage and award-winning analysis. Prior to hs appointment as Esitor in Chief at the Business Post, Daniel was the political editor of the Irish Examiner. Before that, he was group political correspondent with Independent News & Media, which publishes the Irish Independent, the Sunday Independent, the Herald and Independent.ie. He also previously worked with The Irish Times and The Sunday Times.

He is an award-winning journalist and a author of the 2016 best-seller 'Hell At the Gates" published by Mercier and the 2006 Sunday Times Guide to Secondary Schools in Ireland, published by Penguin Ireland. A graduate of University College Dublin (BA in History and Politics) and Dublin City University (MA in Journalism), he is a leading contributor to radio and television programmes on political matters.

 

CONOR CARMODY -  CCO, AIRIFY TECHNOLOGY & DIRECTOR, THE INNOVATION EXCHANGE

Conor Carmody is an accomplished business executive with vast experience in telecoms and retail, having held senior management roles across various commercial disciplines. He’s known for his professional demeanor and results-driven approach, blending strategic thinking with operational expertise. Conor has played pivotal roles in the Irish Telecom Sector, leading marketing functions in major companies like Vodafone, Meteor, and Eircom. His strengths lie in business strategy, commercial strategy, startups, marketing, communications and people management.

LAWRENCE VESEY -  PARTNER, UK & IRELAND, SIA PARTNERS

Lawrence Vesey has over 25 years of consulting experience, working across a range of industries including Financial Services, Healthcare, Agribusiness, Transport & Utilities. Lawrence has significant experience in managing and delivering major business and technology transformation programmes. He is one of the founders of Pathfinder which is now the leading independent consulting firm in Ireland and became part of Sia Partners in 2020.



 

EAMONN SIGGINS -  CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CPA IRELAND

Eamonn Siggins is Chief Executive of the Institute of CPA Ireland.

In a career spanning over 30 years as CE of CPA Ireland, Eamonn has gained significant international experience. He has served two terms as Chairman of the Edinburgh Group (a coalition of 16 accountancy bodies from across the world, representing over 900,000 professional accountants). In 2013 Eamonn led an Edinburgh Group international research project on The Importance of SMEs to the Global Economy. He has spoken on SME issues at several international conferences.

Eamonn has also served as a Technical Adviser for the Board of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and has led several capacity building projects in Africa. Eamonn has developed Mutual Recognition Agreements between CPA Ireland and many of the leading professional bodies in the world, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India.

Prior to joining CPA Ireland, Mr. Siggins retired, with the rank of Captain, from the Irish Defence Forces after 14 years of service in a number of appointments in Ireland and with the United Nations peace keeping force in Lebanon.

Eamonn is a Graduate of the University of Galway, a member of the Institute of Directors, and holds Postgraduate qualifications in Strategy & Innovation, Leadership and Management from the Irish Management Institute, and an MBS in Business Practice from University College Cork.

Eamonn has been named as the Professional Accountancy Body CEO of the Year 2023, by the prestigious CEO Monthly magazine.

CLODAGH HENEHAN -  PRESIDENT, CPA IRELAND

Clodagh Henehan was appointed the 51st President of CPA Ireland at the CPA Ireland AGM 2024.

She trained with Clibborn & Co. Ltd in Cork and qualified as a Certified Public Accountant in 1990.  Clodagh has previously worked for the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Local Government Audit Service and was the Head of Finance for South Dublin County Council from 2004 to 2015 and was Divisional Manager for Cork County Council for a number of years.

With a long and distinguished career, she has also played an active role in supporting her profession. She co-opted to the Council of CPA Ireland in February 2018 and was elected as Vice President in 2021.

Ms Henehan takes over as the Institute works to conclude its proposed amalgamation with Chartered Accountants Ireland, which has now been approved by the members of both accounting bodies. Clodagh will also be highlighting the importance of accountants, the evolution of their role and the need to innovate education as key themes of her presidency.

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BARRY DEMPSEY - CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IRELAND

Barry Dempsey was appointed as chief executive of Chartered Accountants Ireland in 2017.

Previously Chief Executive of the Irish Heart Foundation, Mr Dempsey also filled roles as managing director of Peter Mark and chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society

He has also served as Chairman of the Council of the Irish Management Institute.

BARRY DOYLE -  PRESIDENT, CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IRELAND

Barry Doyle is Deputy President of the Institute for 2023-24. Barry is Investment Director at MASV where he manages a family office and works with early stage and scaling technology and internationally focused businesses. He formerly held C-level roles in some of the fastest growing businesses in Ireland, including as CFO of the SaaS company xSellco, and the social media news and content agency, Storyful.

Barry currently chairs the Institute’s Digital Steering Group and chaired the Members Board until 2022. He has chaired many Institute committees including the Members in Business committee and the Strategic Communications committee.

A graduate of Accounting and Finance from DCU, Barry trained as a Chartered Accountant with EY in Dublin before relocating to Australia where he was the regional Finance Manager for Fox International Channels in Australia and New Zealand.

Key Event Details:

• Date: Thursday 30th May 2024

• Location: Dublin (Hilton Kilmainham) or Online via Live Stream

• Time:  9:30am - 4:30pm

• CPD Credit: 8 hours

• Cost: €225 (non- member cost: €275)

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