Digital Government
Conference 2024

Adela Buliman is the Head of Accessibility in IA Labs, a company that provides consulting and training services on accessibility and inclusion. She manages the team of Digital Accessibility Experts and bridges the gap between them and organisations looking to become digitally accessible. She is also on the European Committee for Standardisations, in particular committees relating to the European Accessibility Act and Public Sector Accessibility Regulations. Adela will be discussing the impact of accessibility legislation and what it means for organisations in scope of it.

Jeni Tennison is an expert in all things data, from technology, to governance, strategy, and public policy. She is the founder and Executive Director of Connected by Data, an initiative that aims to put community at the heart of data narratives, practices and policies. Through that initiative, she challenges the language of data ownership and questions the role of individual consent, arguing that when data is processed in aggregate, it should be governed collectively. She undertakes this work as a Shuttleworth Foundation Fellow and an Associated Researcher at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy, examining the practice and public policy behind data governance. Jeni is also the co-chair of the Data Governance Working Group at the Global Partnership on AI, which is carrying out applied research to explore data trusts, data justice and technologies that enhance privacy, justice or rights. Previously Jeni was CEO at the Open Data Institute, where she held leadership roles for nine years and worked with companies and governments to build an open, trustworthy data ecosystem. Jeni was also the technical architect and lead developer behind legislation.gov.uk and worked on the initial development of data.gov.uk.

Jessica Figueras is Chief Executive of cybersecurity consultancy Pionen, Vice Chair of Trustees of the UK Cyber Security Council, and a non-executive director at data services company Pivotl. As a strategist specialising in digital trust, cybersecurity and the role of tech in civil society, she has advised the UK government on technology and policy issues relating to cybercrime and online safety. Jessica is a sought-after speaker and commentator, was one of Computer Weekly's Most Influential Women in UK Tech (2023, 2022 and 2021) and a Women in IT Awards finalist (2022).

John Glennane, CEO and founder of Capventis, has been pursuing the goal of aligning technology and systems to serve the real-world needs of people and business for over 35 years. In 1999 he established Capventis, to help organisations and people deliver more value through the strategic use of data and ideas. The ideas, issues and imperatives that start us off on the journey to value, all need consideration, knowledge, skills, resources, structure, rigour and good design. The resulting solutions also need appropriate technology, combined with experience to make them viable and successful. John’s mission today is to empower a new generation of our smartest and best-educated people to be equipped with next-generation technology (‘Glu’) and the knowledge, skills and freedom to drive step-change improvement in our most critical public and private sector organisations.

Barry Lowry is CIO for the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, a position he was appointed to in 2016. He is tasked with delivering the Public Service ICT Strategy. Prior to 2016, he spent almost 35 years in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) on work ranging from the programming of mainframe computers to operating as a team leader in the design of client server systems. For the five years prior to his appointment, Lowry was the director who oversaw the establishment of ICT shared services in NICS. He also operated as the Head of Profession for ICT. In 2011 he was voted the Northern Ireland IT Professional of the Year by his associates.

Kristian Vengsgaard is CEO at KOMBIT, where he has been since December 2022. He has extensive experience with digitalization on a strategic level in large organizations, among other as CIO in The Danish Armed Forces and Vice President/ CIO at Danish Tax. He has also been employed as associate professor in the theory of science at the University of Copenhagen for seven years and authored books on the theory of science in political science, sociology, and administration. Kristian Vengsgaard has a graduate degree in information & computer science from Aarhus University.

John Lynch is the founder and director at Context Studio, a dedicated service design studio in Dublin. Starting out as a software developer, he studied people-centred Interaction Design at CIID in Copenhagen in 2011. Since then, John has tirelessly advocated for a design approach, particularly in public services. John brings experience from Denmark (CIID Consulting), the UK (Future Cities Catapult, and from Fjord at Accenture (The Dock) in Dublin. At Context Studio his work has included service and strategic design for Department of Justice, Dublin City Council, Cork County Council, and the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office. John is a board director with the Institute of Designers in Ireland, and a member of the working group on service design in government at Department of Public Expenditure & Reform.

Maria McCann is an Organisational Psychologist, the Head of Practice for Data & Digital Solutions for The Project Foundry and their Public Sector Lead. Her role is to work with business leaders on aspects related to data strategy & analytics, embracing digital technologies, and supporting and enabling workforces to drive business outcomes. She works with businesses to execute their strategies to leverage data and as a strategic asset and support employees to utilise the technologies available to them. The result is a data and digitally agile organisation, driven by its employees, innovative and creating value for its stakeholders. Maria was previously Director of the Health Identity Management Services for the HSE. She was responsible for the identity management services of the HSE, the delivery of the Individual Health Identifier (IHI) for individuals as well as unique identifiers for practitioners of health services. She was National lead for the Data and Informatics Programme for the HSE UKR crisis responsible for creating a system of record for Ukrainian displaced citizens; which has grown to be a system of health record for all in International Protectants; she was the Programme lead for Human Digital Transformation, centred around programmes of digital and data transformation education and collaboration for employees. Maria was also the co product lead for the Health App currently in development. Maria has provided executive level advice, guidance, and support on all areas of transformation with a specific focus on, Digital and Data Strategy’s, organisational development, engagement, innovation, and digital change. Maria is passionate about stakeholder engagement and the creation of a collaboration environment for organisations working with the public sector. She is an enthusiastic advocate on how technology can impact government services and their delivery. Maria is a board member for the charity Spunout, was awarded CIO and IT Leaders Crisis Technology Award in 2023; nominated for HealthTech Ireland Healthcare collaboration award 2023 and believes strongly on the positive impact of diversity and inclusion to drive change.

Bill McCluggage is Managing Director of Laganview Associates Ltd. He became the first CIO for the Irish Government in 2013 and was CIO for the Northern Ireland Civil Service (2005 – 2009). He joined the Cabinet Office in 2009 as deputy UK Government CIO. While in the Cabinet Office he was the Executive Director responsible for the UK Government’s ICT Strategy and was instrumental in the development of the Government G[1]Cloud, and was SRO for the Identity Assurance Programme, now GOV.UK Verify.

Ashling Cunningham is the Chief Information Officer for Irish Life Group. Ashling has extensive experience working in the manufacturing, services and utilities industries. She has an IT and Finance background and holds an M.Sc. in Management from Trinity College. Previously Ashling was CIO at Uisce Éireann and Ervia and she has also held several senior leadership and consulting positions in international companies. A regular speaker at seminars, conference and industry events on the transformational role of digital and technology, data and security, innovation and women in business, she is a frequent contributor to trade publications.

Niall O’Donohoe is the co-founder and MD of ProCloud. With over 22 years’ experience in the IT industry, he is responsible for the strategic direction and business performance of ProCloud. Niall had a 17-year career with IBM, latterly as Enterprise Director with responsibility for Sales and Distribution across Ireland having previously held senior roles for IBM across Europe. He is passionate about innovating and delivering exceptional client experiences through the expertise and dedication of their people. Niall’s vision is for ProCloud to be recognised as the trusted technology partner for the solutions they provide – honest, expert, and reliable in all their relationships.

Kyran O'Mahoney is a proven and product-focused senior IT professional with over 20 years of experience in the delivery of large complex technical projects for the Financial Services, Insurance, Media, HR, Aviation, Retail Industries and Charity Sector in Ireland, UK, and United States. He is currently the CTO of Vision Ireland, where he is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the organization's IT strategy. He is also one of the founders and CEO of Inclusion & Accessibility Labs (IA Labs), a company that provides consulting and training services on accessibility and inclusion. Kyran is passionate about using technology to make the world a more inclusive place. He is a strong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and believes that everyone should have equal access to technology. He is also a strong believer in the power of collaboration and is committed to working with others to create a more accessible and inclusive world.

Brendan Ring is the Digital Engagement Lead in the National Cyber Security Centre, a part of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Prior to taking up this role, Brendan has worked in a number of government departments, including the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform where he worked on a number of public service reform projects in Shared Services, Public Procurement and Organisational Capability Reviews of Government Departments.

David Scanlon is the Government and State-Owned Lead at Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Ireland. Leveraging over 25 years of experience in the technology sector with leading multinationals, he specialises in guiding Public Sector organisations through their cloud adoption journey. David works closely with these bodies, aiding in the development and implementation of effective cloud strategies that not only enhance their digital transformation efforts but also deliver improved citizen services.

Dr Abigail Ruth Freeman is the Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland, the Irish government’s largest funder of research. She oversees Individual-led Research Programmes and Centres for Research Training, Challenge-based Research Programmes and leads the Education and Public Engagement brief at the Foundation. Ruth is a frequent voice on media and is currently a weekly contributor to The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk radio. Prior to her current appointment Ruth has held a series of positions at SFI. She was appointed Director of Strategy and Communications in 2013, after previous roles as Director of Innovation, Communications and Education, and Director of Programmes, Enterprise and International Affairs. Ruth joined SFI as a Scientific Programme Manager in November 2006. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked as a researcher at Trinity College Dublin. Ruth holds a BA (Mod) and PhD in Genetics and a post-graduate diploma in Statistics from Trinity College Dublin, where she was awarded a Trinity scholarship, the Eli Lilly Chemistry Prize and the Roberts prize for Biology.

Rory Hopkins is the Head of Information Systems (HIS) for Kildare County council, he is also the chair of the LGMA/HIS group which represents the 31 different Local Authorities. Rory has over 30 years’ experience working in the IT industry in both private and public sector roles, he also lectures part-time as part of the MSc in IT Management in the South East Technological University (SETU).