Read about our conference speakers below.
Conference Chair: Darren Richards, Managing Director – Cogent Consulting
Darren is an offsite manufacturing and construction expert – working in the offsite technology supply-chain to improve productivity.
Darren will be chairing the conference.
Paul Tierney, CEO – MMC Ireland
Paul is the CEO of MMC Ireland having taken up the role in May 2023. Paul has over 30 years’ experience in the MMC industry having been the CEO of ESS Modular, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading off-site construction companies until 2022.
MMC Ireland is the representative body and voice of Ireland’s dynamic MMC sector. It is the knowledge bridge between the industry and its clients. Its mission is to provide a unified voice, advocacy, and support to help Ireland’s MMC sector grow and succeed.
Paul has a long standing passion for driving MMC adoption and in his role with MMC Ireland is working with a number of Government bodies in assisting them in understanding the key principles involved in creating a sustainable MMC industry in Ireland.
Dick Clerkin – Managing Director, Clerkin Consulting
With over to twenty years of experience, working with many of Irelands and the UK’s leading companies and brands, Dick Clerkin, Managing Director of Clerkin Consulting, is one the leading voices in the Construction Products Manufacturing and MMC industries.
With extensive experience and proven industry credentials in areas including Strategy Deployment, Operational Excellence, New Product Development, Project Management, Leadership Coaching and Organisational change, Clerkin Consulting provides their clients with high value support that is vital when supporting improvement projects, that encompass a wide range of disciplines.
Allied to his professional credentials, Dick is one of Irelands best known GAA pundits, working with both the Irish independent and Sky Sports GAA, following a 17-year career playing senior intercounty football with Monaghan.
Such experiences have developed Dick into an accomplished and trusted communicator with a strong team-centred approach when working within organisations.
As chairperson of MMC Irelands Education and Awareness working group, along with endorsements and partnerships with organisations such as Lean Construction Ireland and CP Skillnet, Dick is very well regarded and respected in the wider built environment community.
Ronan Lonergan MRIAI – Design Lead – Innovation and PreConstruction, Cairn Homes
Ronan Lonergan is a Design Lead for Cairn and heads up the Innovation and Pre-Construction Team, where he has focuses on determining how Cairn design, build and what that will look in the future. This includes evaluating new timber construction methods, digital construction, offsite construction and decarbonising the designs, along with project managing each development through the preconstruction stages.
Ronan formally worked as an architect for TAKA Architects and with John Sisk , on awarding winning projects Middleton Park Lodge, Wembley’s Quintain Lands and Le Chéile Education Centre, among others. He completed his architect registration exams in TUD, and is also chairman of the technical working group for MMC Ireland.
Sarah Jane-Pisciotti – Innovation and Design Director, SISK
As Innovation & Design Director for Sisk, Sarah-Jane is responsible for the service delivery of Integrated Sustainable Solutions (ISS) to all Sisk sectors and geographies, reducing embodied carbon and driving design optimisation, programme reduction and cost savings. She directs the Sustainable Design, Carbon Engineering and Design Management function at Sisk and is responsible for the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Strategy. Central to her role is cross-disciplinary collaboration to support identification and scaling of sustainable innovation working with operations, procurement and the design and construction supply chain. She is a Board member of MMC Ireland and Construct Innovate.
Dr Daniel McCrum – Associate Professor – University College Dublin & Construct Innovate
Dr Daniel McCrum is an Associate Professor in Structural Engineering at the School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, where he leads the Modern Methods of Construction
Research Group (ucd.ie/mmcrg/). Dr McCrum is a funded principal investigator and member of the Centre Executive Management Committee of Construct Innovate, Ireland’s National Research Centre for Construction Technology and Innovation. Within Construct Innovate, Dr McCrum also leads the challenge theme on Productivity, Affordability and Cost, which directly relates to improving the adoption of modern methods of construction. Dr McCrum is currently leading a €3m funded project in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to develop standardised construction details for MMC.
Az Jasat – Director, Industry Strategy, Industrialized Construction – Autodesk
Az has spent his whole career improving the way we design and make the built environment through Industrialized Construction.
His track record in prefabrication leadership, strategy, and execution in the UK includes spearheading the development of technology solutions to connect and converge data between building design and product manufacturing.
As Director for Industrialized Construction Strategy at Autodesk, Az leverages his industry background to develop Autodesk’s strategy for the development of new connected solutions to improve certainty, productivity and sustainability outcomes.
Charlotte Garrett – Head of Industry Strategy – KOPE
Charlotte is Head of Industry Strategy at KOPE and a leading advocate for industrialised and offsite construction. With a background in architecture and extensive sector expertise, Charlotte drives the adoption of digital product platforms that connect design, manufacturing, and delivery. Working closely with major programmes, contractors, and manufacturers to standardise demand, improve productivity, and enable data-driven decision-making. A regular speaker across the UK and Europe, focusing on practical pathways to industrialisation and the role of digital tools in transforming project outcomes.
Jakub Urbanczyk – Digital Construction Manager – Cairn Homes
Driven and dynamic digital construction professional with expertise in BIM and digital project management, construction technology, and data analytics. Proven ability in leveraging cutting-edge technology to elevate and integrate construction processes, ensuring efficiency and innovation.
Adept at navigating construction digital platforms and implementing data-driven strategies for optimal project outcomes I bring a balanced approach, leading by example with determination and humility. I foster a collaborative environment, and demonstrate team leadership, coaching and guiding my team to deliver exceptional results and grow professionally.
I am passionate about continuous learning, personal evolution, and cultivating a culture of innovation. My leadership style, rooted in resilience and adaptability, seamlessly integrates technical prowess with interpersonal skills for unparalleled success in the digital transformation of the construction industry.
Linda Kane – Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
Linda Kane is a Senior Economist in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE). Ms Kane joined the Department in November 2019 and previously worked as part of the secretariat to the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council before joining the Labour Market and Skills Unit. Prior to joining DETE, Ms Kane worked for the Central Bank of Ireland and the European Central Bank. She has experience in the areas of monetary policy, international relations, fiscal policy and macroeconomic forecasting, and has been a member of multiple European working groups and committees both in Frankfurt and in Brussels. Ms Kane’s qualifications include a Master of Arts (Economics) and a Bachelor of Arts (Mathematical Studies and Economics) from University College Cork.
Oliver Kinnane – Founder and director of the MSc in Architecture, Urbanism and Climate Action – University College Dublin
I am a researcher and an educator focused on achieving a more sustainable built environment. Amongst other roles at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy I am:
– Founder and director of the MSc in Architecture, Urbanism and Climate Action at UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy.
– Lead academic at the Building in a Climate Emergency Research Group. (https://www.ucd.ie/biace/)
– Lead on the Resilient Design Curriculum reform at UCD Architecture funded by the Higher Education Authority, Human Capital Initiative.
– PI on eight different international and national research projects including the EU Green Deal H2020 Probono project, three Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland projects (nZEB101, FabTrads, MacAirH) and the Whole Life Carbon in Irish Construction Sector and Built Environment with the Irish Green Building Council.
– Member of the UCD Energy Institute and leading research through the Nexsys programme and a member of the Earth Institute.
I work with industry to innovate new low carbon concretes and concrete products. I report research findings to government departments on a regular basis including, primarily to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. I have undertaken consultancy work for the Department of Foreign Affairs. I have been part of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action.
Pat Kirwan – Associate Director, Head of Industrialised Design and Construction – Reddy Architecture
Pat Kirwan brings over 20 years of experience in the built environment, specialising in design development, sustainable strategies, construction management, and modern methods of construction (MMC). He has worked with leading Irish architectural firms such as Scott Tallon Walker, RKD, and Henry J Lyons on major national and international projects. Before joining Reddy A+U, he served as Director at C+W O’Brien Architects, delivering strategic initiatives for a giga project in Saudi Arabia.
Pat earned the Mott MacDonald award for his MSc dissertation on “MMC – A Driver for Increased Housing Output in Ireland” from the University of Salford. He co-founded MMC Ireland, representing the sector nationally, and co-authored the RIAI guide to Design for Manufacture and Assembly. Active on government taskforces, he has presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, championing MMC adoption in Ireland’s residential sector.
Peter Allen – Founder & Managing Director, Prosilience
Peter Allen is a highly experienced executive and strategic advisor with over 30 years in senior leadership roles across major global organisations. His work focuses on AI-driven transformation and the urgent challenge for leaders: how to preserve the soul of an organisation in an era of profound and accelerating technological change.
As Executive Director of National Highways, Peter led multi-billion-pound programmes that integrated AI, ESG, and complex stakeholder dynamics to deliver flagship national projects. He has held senior roles in European financial institutions and central banks, where he steered crisis communications and pioneered AI-enabled regulatory frameworks during times of financial crisis.
Peter holds an MBA from The Open University and postgraduate qualifications in Artificial Intelligence, Corporate Affairs, and Leadership from Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. Today, he advises CEOs, boards, and governments on ethical AI strategy, cultural integration, and how to navigate technological change without losing the soul of the organisation.
Alongside his advisory work, he is Chair of CLL Support, the UK charity for people affected by Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia and an author exploring resilience and leadership through uncertainty.
Tony Woods – Owner – Midland Steel
As Managing Director of Midland Group Ltd for over Three decades, my focus has been on fostering innovation and delivering advanced solutions in construction, concrete formwork .and steel reinforcement. With a strong foundation in business and financial analysis, I have contributed to the development of Offsite modular reinforcement systems Faster FIX and 3D BIM rebar solutions, ensuring efficiency and precision in off-site construction processes.
Our team has achieved notable milestones, including BS EN 19650 accreditation under BSI Worldwide for 3D modeling and rebar fabrication. Our Sustainability certification of. BS8902-BS6001 With a commitment to cutting-edge technology and client-focused solutions, we have expanded our operations across the UK, USA Scandinavia Europe offering tailored reinforcing and offsite reinforcement solutions with our patented Faster-Fix solutions & services to meet the industry’s evolving demands reducing waste being more sustainable & Delivering projects up to 75% faster .
John Dobbin – Architect, Urbanist, Director at Dobbin+Company Architects – Dobbin+Company Architects
John Dobbin is an Architect and Urbanist. Having practiced architecture in London and Dublin, he is now leading his own practice, Dobbin+Company Architects, based in Dublin City. They specialize in solving the housing crisis through innovative Low-Rise Medium-Density Own-Door forms of housing, and by reimagining carbon-intensive, redundant commercial buildings for sustainable new uses in our city centers.