Celebrating Burns and the Ireland-Scotland Relationship Networking Event

Speakers

Katy McNeil, Scottish Government Office in Ireland

Katy McNeil is the new Head of the Scottish Government Office in Dublin. She was previously currently Programme Director of Connecting Scotland, Digital Directorate, Scottish Government, leading work to bring 60,000 people online with a package of device, data, training and support by the end of 2021. Previously Public Entrepreneur lead at the CivTech Scotland innovation accelerator, Katy has more than 20 years public service experience, working in civil service policy roles, in delivery and programme management and as an improvement adviser.

Judith O'Leary, Causeway and Represent

Judith O’Leary is Co-Chair of Causeway: Ireland Scotland Business Exchange, sharing the chairwoman role with Brigid Whoriskey from January 2022. Judith is Managing Director of Represent, an award winning communications digital consultancy with offices in Fife and Edinburgh. Originally from Cork, Ireland, Judith moved to Cambridge in 1989 where she cut her teeth in PR at Cambridge University before moving on to work with Singapore Telecom and Comcast on the roll out of cable throughout East Anglia. She moved to Scotland in 1993 and began working for a PR consultancy GTPR, now HAVAS. She was made managing director in 1996 overseeing the launch of Warburtons in Scotland and working on major campaigns such as Windows’95, Scottish Power, Tennents Taverns and Teachers. Judith launched her own agency in 2001 which has been shortlisted for numerous awards including CIPR outstanding consultancy and has extensive expertise in FinTech, food & drink, sustainability, travel and tourism, education and professional services. Providing integrated PR & digital services Represent is driving business growth, Judith has a powerful track record of innovative problem solving which demonstrates her vast experience and expertise. She was recently awarded Creative Leader of the Year.

Brigid Whoriskey, Causeway and Envision

Brigid Whoriskey is Co-Chair of Causeway: Ireland Scotland Business Exchange, sharing the chairwoman role with Judith O'Leary from January 2022. Brigid is a business advisor, executive coach and non-exec board director. She is passionate about making a difference and supporting people and organisations to reach stretching goals. Brigid is an experienced business advisor specialising in strategy; change; leadership; and stakeholder engagement. She is known as a natural collaborator and communicator, with an ethical and inclusive approach, and she is driven to have a real and lasting impact on people and organisations. Her pragmatic, hands-on approach focuses on outcomes. As an executive coach, she helps business leaders who want a clearer sense of long-term direction to think big, set goals and take control of their future roadmap – it is often about finding purpose and being happier at work. She works with leaders who are facing relentless change, increasing demands and fewer resources to identify key priorities and new ways of working to achieve goals. Prior to setting up her own business, Envision Business Solutions Ltd, she was Head of Research and Innovation at Royal Bank of Scotland and previously was Marketing Director at Lloyds UDT. Brigid is also Board Member of the Scottish Legal Aid Board and a Trustee of Tong-Len UK – a charity helping destitute families of Northern India.

Jenny Quinn, Consulate General of Ireland in Scotl

Jenny Quinn took up her assignment as Vice Consul General of Ireland in Scotland in August 2021. Prior to taking up duty in Scotland, Jenny served as Consul at the Embassy of Ireland in Ankara, Turkey (May 2018 - Aug 2021) and as Desk Officer in the Disarmament & Non-Proliferation Unit in the Department’s Political Division (July 2016 - May 2018). Jenny holds a BA in International Relations (Dublin City University) and an MA in American Studies (University College Dublin).

Emma McGibbon, Logos Logistics

Emma McGibbon is the Managing Director of Logos Logistics Ltd, a family company founded in 2003. Emma has been leading the company alongside her sister, Laura since 2019. Emma has spent the majority of her career in Education as a secondary teacher and is currently undertaking a Msc in Education & Leadership. Emma is passionate about workplace culture and value based leadership with a commitment to developing the young workforce.