With nearly two decades of international experience in trade finance, Balint currently serves as the Head of Sales for Global Trade Solutions (GTS) at HSBC Ireland. In this role, he also oversees the GTS business across multiple markets including Poland, Czech Republic, Israel, Bermuda, and Malta. His area of expertise covers a wide range of trade topics from traditional guarantees and letters of credit to structured working capital solutions. Balint is a key contributor to HSBC Ireland’s Diversity & Inclusion Employee Support Group and is recognised as Sustainability Leader within the bank.

Prior to HSBC, Balint held senior product management roles at The Royal Bank of Scotland / NatWest in London, among others leading the development and strategy of NatWest’s supply chain finance proposition. Earlier in his career, he worked with Citibank in both Dublin and Budapest, managing trade products across EMEA region. Balint combines deep technical expertise in trade finance with a strong record of leadership, risk management, and stakeholder engagement in multicultural environments.

A graduate of the University of Pécs (Hungary) and FernUniversität in Hagen (Germany), Balint holds master’s degrees in economics and banking. He also holds a professional diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business through University College Dublin (UCD). Passionate about inclusion and development, Balint is an active D&I advocate, youth sports coach, and volunteer for educational programs.

Dr. Ciarán Seoighe is Deputy CEO of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, the body formed from the amalgamation of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council in August 2024. Since joining SFI in 2018, Ciarán has led the Strategy and Transformation Directorate, overseeing the organisation’s International, Strategy, and Corporate Communications functions. A trusted voice in national science and innovation policy, he plays a key role in shaping Ireland’s strategic direction in emerging areas such as quantum, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and sustainability.

Ciarán represents Ireland on high-level fora including the UK-led Expert Panel for the International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI. He also contributes to national initiatives like the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, the Public Service Innovation Advisory Board, and the landmark public engagement campaign Creating Our Future.

Prior to his public sector leadership, Ciarán spent nearly two decades as a global management consultant, advising leading organisations across ICT, finance, pharma, retail, and more. His experience spans a variety of sectors executing large-scale transformation, innovation, and strategic initiatives.  This global experience includes 8 years in the emerging markets based in Johannesburg and working across Sub-Saharan Africa.

He holds a BA in Science and a PhD in Quantum Physics from Trinity College Dublin.

Cónal Thomas is Political Correspondent at the Business Post. He leads the publication’s political coverage across online and in print. His coverage involves reporting on key events around Leinster House, exclusive Red C/Business Post polls, and political developments in Ireland. Cónal joined the company in November 2021. With 10 years of experience in the industry, he previously worked for TheJournal.ie and Dublin Inquirer.

Jonathan was appointed in April 2025 to head up Enterprise Ireland’s response to the changing global trade environment, including tariffs, and the agency’s engagement and support to clients nationally. He has held previous senior roles in Enterprise Ireland, including Investment Services, Brexit Preparedness, International Sales & Partnering, Client Sectors, and has managed EI teams in New York, Dusseldorf, London and Glasgow. Before joining Enterprise Ireland Jonathan worked for PwC as a management consultant.

Jonathan is a Business Studies graduate from the University of Ulster, holds a Masters from UCD Smurfit and has further postgraduate qualifications New York University. 

Kate English is Deloitte Ireland’s Chief Economist. She joined the firm in 2022, spearheaded the creation of the real estate research team and the firm’s first Chief Economist. Kate and her team conduct data-driven research across broader economic and policy areas, assessing macroeconomic trends within Ireland and its key trading markets.

 Kate is a recognised commentator on global macroeconomic trends, fiscal policy, capital markets, demographics and employment trends. She frequently presents market updates and panel discussions across national broadcast and print media. In recognition of her thought leadership in real estate, she was recently listed in the inaugural Business Post Property 100, Ireland’s most influential property sector leaders.

 Prior to joining Deloitte, Kate served as the Chief Economist, Head of Research & Insights at Economist with Cushman & Wakefield Ireland and held the position of Senior Economist with Sherry FitzGerald. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and French from University College Cork.

As Global Trade Strategy and & Resilience Lead, Louise Kelly has been leading Deloitte Ireland clients through a fast-changing global landscape shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory shifts and fractured supply chains. She also heads up a dedicated cross-functional taskforce focused on helping clients turn the challenges of global trade tensions into new strategic opportunities and competitive advantage. With more than 20 years of experience in cross-border investment, tax strategy, and transformation, Louise’s focus is on supporting both FDI and domestic clients as they navigate a fast-changing trade and policy environment.

Pablo is a Partner and Managing Director of the Deloitte EU Policy Center since May 2021 and Head of Regulation and Public Policy at Deloitte Spain since February 2019.

 Combining his private sector experience with his service as a Member of the European Parliament, Pablo engages stakeholders, legislators, and regulators on high-profile policy issues. He works with other functions across the Deloitte network to develop and execute regulatory and public policy priorities.

 Pablo is a proven leader with extensive experience in international government relations.

 Prior to joining Deloitte, Pablo served as the Executive Chairman of The Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO) – a Spanish state-owned bank – where he led the creation of ICO’s sustainable finance action plan. He was also the Chairman of AXIS, the private equity firm owned by ICO.

 He was a Member of the European Parliament (2009-2016), serving as Vice-Chair of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (2011-2016). He was also a member of the International Trade Committee, where he served as co-chair of the Parliament’s delegation to the Parliamentary Ministerial Conference at the WTO. Additionally, he was the rapporteur for the proposal for a regulation implementing the Bilateral Safeguard Clause of the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

 Between 2016 and 2018, he held affiliations with Patron Fundación Carolina – under the honorary presidency of HM the King of Spain – and Patron Fundación Consejo España China. Also, Pablo was invited by the US State Department in 2016 to participate in its International Visitor Leadership Program for emerging leaders in foreign policy.

 Pablo has a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management from the University of Navarra and completed an executive MBA program at the London Business School.

Pharmaceutical/Biopharma leader with extensive experience in a range of multidisciplinary leadership positions across Manufacturing, Engineering, Project Management, OpEx, Validation & Technology Transfer.

Experience in both large molecule (vaccine manufacture) and small molecule (API, OSD & Aseptic fill-finish) manufacturing operations.

Currently a member of Astellas’ Global Engineering and Innovation function, leading the development and introduction of innovative technologies and initiatives, aligned with Astellas’ strategic goals.

President of ISPE Ireland Affiliate, leading a multi-disciplinary team of LifeScience industry leaders. ISPE is the largest body representing the LifeSciences industry globally and ISPE Ireland is one of the biggest Affiliates in ISPE, with more than 800 members. Founder of ISPE Pharma 4IReland group to address the challenges of introducing Industry 4.0 to the Lifesciences industry.

Sarah is CEO of the Business Post and a member of the Executive Leadership Team of the Business Post Group.
The Business Post is Ireland’s leading business media brand. In addition to the long trusted and independent flagship media title, which offers a multi-platform source of premium news, insight, opinion and analysis; the business also includes the much-loved brands of Irish Tatler, FOOD & WINE Magazine, Connected & Auto Ireland among others.

The Business Post also incorporates iQuest, an events and trade publishing business unit which Sarah has managed since January 2019. Under her leadership, the iQuest team manages a portfolio of over 40 annual events; including conferences focusing on a range of industries, large scale exhibitions, awards ceremonies, virtual production and specialist brand / niche events. As part of iQuest, she is also responsible for a range of trade publishing titles and The Circle, a C-suite corporate membership group.

A graduate of Trinity College Dublin with a BA in Business Studies and French and an MA in Events, Marketing & Management from London Metropolitan University, Sarah previously spent a large part of her working career in Britain. During this period, she was a director of The Irish Post Media Group in London, where she was based for over 10 years. She held a leading role in the formation of the highly acclaimed and televised Irish Post Awards, played a pivotal part in the establishment of the media organisation’s corporate network, business magazine series, events portfolio and lead the upward digital growth trajectory of the group. She has a passion for projects engaging the Irish diaspora globally.

Sarah currently also holds numerous non-exec board positions including board member of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, board member of Work Equal and former Chair of the British & Irish Trading Alliance Ireland.

She is a passionate advocate for women’s equality in business, as well as for creating and fostering a work environment of social equality. In her spare time Sarah loves exploring the great outdoors, training for Triathlons, all things ‘foodie’, strong coffee and a good book.

Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin; Professor Emeritus of International Politics at the University of Birmingham; and editor-in-chief of EA WorldView. He is a specialist in American politics; US and British foreign policy; and international affairs, including the Middle East and Iran, Europe, and Asia.

Scott worked as a journalist in the US from the age of 16. He wrote for newspapers including the Guardian and The Independent and was an essayist for The New Statesman before he founded EA WorldView in November 2008.

Scott is prominent in international radio, TV, and electronic sites as a leading political analyst. He is a regular expert on outlets such as RTE, BBC, Sky, Al Jazeera English, France 24 English, Deutsche Welle, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Times Radio, Poland’s TVP World, Pakistan’s PTV World, Indian channels such as NDTV and WION, Dublin NewsTalk, and Virgin Media News.

Scott was born in Alabama in the US. He moved to the UK at age 21 and lived there for almost 40 years before moving to Wicklow, Ireland in March 2024. He is a long-suffering Leeds United supporter, a member of Red Sox Nation, and a devotee of great music from The Chicks to David Bowie to Sinead O’Connor.

Sinead oversees comprehensive talent management solutions, strategic internal communications, and social impact initiatives.

Sinead began her career at the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC), and she has since held various human resources, internal communications, and corporate responsibility roles both in Ireland and internationally. During her 15-year tenure at Fidelity Investments, Sinead served as Vice-President of Human Resources, overseeing operations in Ireland, China, and Global Business Services.

She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development and holds a number of postgraduate qualifications.

In a voluntary capacity, Sinead is a member of the Irish Management Institute (IMI) Council and, in 2022, she was appointed as an ordinary member to the Board of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in Ireland. Sinead actively contributes to the community as Chair of the Board for Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services.

Una Fitzpatrick is a Dublin City University STEM graduate with a master’s in management from Smurfit Business School. She has spent the last 20 years working in the knowledge economy, specifically the last ten years being spent with Technology Ireland. Una was appointed Director of Technology Ireland in June 2018. Technology Ireland, a trade association within Ibec, is the largest and most influential tech sector representative group in Ireland. Una served as an executive board member of Digital Europe from 2020-2024, she is currently vice chair of the Digital Europe Cloud working group and is on the Board of Directors of FIT Ltd (Fastrack into Technology). Una sits on the advisory board of the UCD Centre for Digital Policy and is a member of several Government working groups and forums such as the National Counter Disinformation Strategy working group. Una has extensive lobbying experience both at National and European levels.