Speakers

Elaine Hartin is the Chief Strategy and Finance Officer at Ulster University, playing a major role in institution-wide strategic leadership and planning, including shaping institutional strategies and priorities and aligning institutional resources to deliver against these. Prior to joining the University in 2021 Elaine was Chief Operating Officer at Belfast Metropolitan College and a Director in Deloitte. Elaine has a strong public service ethos and has contributed significantly to the sustainable success of a number of large complex organisation while maintaining strategic and financial oversight, including Procurement Strategy. Elaine has also served on a range of boards and panels, including accepting a Prime Ministerial Appointment to serve as the NI representative on a Pay Review Body. She is currently on the Finance Committee for a local Housing Association. She holds a first-class honours degree in Accounting from Ulster University, a master’s degree in Accounting from Queens University Belfast and is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

Gail Flavell has been the Chief Finance Officer in the Education Authority since April 2025 and prior to that she was the Interim Director of Finance from October 2024. Gail is responsible for Finance and Corporate Services, which includes responsibility for EAs Commercial Procurement Services. Gail commenced her career in Education back in 2001 when she joined the SELB as the Capital Accountant and has held many Finance roles since then, including Chief Finance Officer in BELB and most recently as Assistant Director of Accounting and Financial Services. Gail is also an independent member on the Departmental Audit and Risk Assurance Committee of the Department for Communities. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and is married with 2 children.

Clare Egan is Head of Procurement at Ulster University. Clare is an experienced, enthusiastic, and highly motivated individual with over 30 years’ experience in procurement working in both the private and public sector. In her procurement career Clare has worked for multinational companies such as Pepsi Co Restaurants (London), Wyeth Medica (Newbridge, Co. Kildare) and Tyco Healthcare (Europe). Clare has achieved high success rates throughout her working career in procurement. As Head of Procurement at Ulster University, Clare provides leadership and strategic direction to the procurement team and across the institution, employing procurement methods that enable end users to consider multiple objectives including social values, financial considerations allowing them to consider the balance between cost, risk, and benefits.

Sharon has been involved in public procurement since November 2001 and has been the Head of Construction and Procurement Delivery for the NI Civil Service since 2021. In her current role, Sharon has responsibility for helping the NI Executive procure the goods, services and works needed to deliver public services and develop public procurement policy which underpins procurement practice in Northern Ireland. Sharon is an advocate for the professionalism of public procurement and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. She was awarded a CBE in the 2025 New Years Honours List for her services to public procurement and has commented that the Honour reflects the work carried out by the NI Public Sector procurement profession particularly during the supply chain disruptions over the last 5 years.

Laura Moore is Data Analytics & Insights Manager at the Education Authority in Northern Ireland, where she leads strategic initiatives to enhance organisational effectiveness through data-informed decision-making. With expertise in analytics, data management, and digital innovation, she has developed systems that streamline operations, improve planning, and enhance how education services are delivered. Laura is passionate about translating data into meaningful insights that support better services for children and young people.

For over four decades, James Conlon has led Niavac’s growth into Northern Ireland’s leading provider of audio-visual solutions. Starting as a trainee sales executive and taking ownership in the mid-1980s, he has shaped Niavac into the award-winning, innovation-driven company it is today, trusted across education, government, corporate and live events sectors throughout the UK and Ireland. As the business expanded, James oversaw its move to a bespoke 15,000sq.ft. headquarters in Belfast, supporting a growing and diverse client base. He is proud of the strong reputation Niavac has built, rooted in integrity, innovation and teamwork, and continues to champion its mission of creating meaningful connection through technology.

David Hunter is a business and social-enterprise leader from Larne, Northern Ireland, with extensive experience in economic development, regeneration, and community partnerships. In 2022, David was appointed by the Department for Communities (NI) as one of only five subject-matter experts to the Ministerial Advisory Panel (MAP) on Community Wealth Building, established to support local economic recovery across Northern Ireland. He is the Programme Director of the Larne Community Wealth Building Partnership (LCWBP) and Founder of Next Steps Consultancy Ltd, working with local councils, government departments, and anchor institutions to deliver inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Renowned for building strong partnerships across public, private, and voluntary sectors, David specialises in translating complex policy frameworks into practical, deliverable outcomes that promote regional balance, sustainability, and thriving communities—while consistently achieving measurable social impact.

Crown Commercial Service plays an important role helping the UK public sector save money when buying common goods and services. Paul has been with CCS for more than 13 years, and leads the Crown Commercial Service Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies Team. Prior to that Paul held commercial roles in organisations such as the Ministry of Defence and Scottish Procurement & Property Directorate and has worked in the profession for more than 30 years.