Pearse Buckley is Programme Manager for Biomass and CHP with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, where he is responsible for the promotion of bioenergy and CHP through strategy development and for providing policy advice to government in this area. He spent 13 years in Canada working as a product engineer. On his return to Ireland he was involved in research into energy from biomass at Trinity College and subsequently worked for a waste management company before joining Sustainable Energy Ireland in 2002.

Jim Gannon is an Associate Director with RPS Group and has been active in the Biomass market for the past 10 years. His experience spans project development and due diligence works across a range of technologies and resources from landfill gas, anaerobic digestion and conventional energy from waste through to gasification, pyrolysis and fluidised bed systems. Jim chairs the Energy and Environment Division of Engineers Ireland and serves as an External Examiner to the Masters in Renewable Energy Systems course in DkIT.

Richard Halleron is an agricultural chemist by background. He is a past chairman of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science and has also served as Chairman of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists in Northern Ireland. Richard currently write on agri-food issues for a wide range of business publications, including agendaNi magazine.

Alan Little is Senior Quantity Surveyor with Carvill Group Ltd, which is recognised as one of the most progressive property development companies in the UK and Ireland. Woodbrook Eco village in Lisburn is an example of Carvill Group’s commitment to plan, promote and deliver large scale sustainable communities for the private market. Alan’s involvement in Woodbrook includes implementing the procurement, installation, operation and maintenance arrangements for the biomass fuelled district heating system, which has now been in operation for 24 months.

Ali Lloyd is a Principal Consultant with Pöyry Energy Consulting, having joined the company in February 2010. He brings 19 years of commercial experience in UK energy markets. He has a detailed knowledge of the UK electricity market including support schemes for renewable and CHP generators. He has performed a variety of roles ranging from trading and risk management, business development, contract management, and regulatory affairs.

David McKee is a chartered chemical engineer, and is currently Technical Director of B9 Organic Energy Ltd. B9 has a wealth of experience in developing renewable energy projects, including obtaining the required planning permissions, licensing, grid connections, power purchase agreements as well as all associated technical and financial requirements. David is currently involved in developing a large scale industrial anaerobic digestion facility in Northern Ireland, as well as working with local farmers to develop some smaller agricultural systems.

Richard Murphy is a Senior Associate in McGrigor’s energy team and is based in the firm’s Belfast office. Richard has extensive experience advising on M&A, commercial contract and regulatory/competition issues in the energy sector, particularly wind and bioenergy projects. Richard is rated as a leading individual for energy work in Chambers UK and is also cited in the Legal 500 for corporate work in Northern Ireland.

Joe O'Carroll has 16 years experience in the agri/energy industry in Ireland, UK, USA, Central America and East Africa, covering senior management roles in both public and private sector organisations. He is a Board Member of the Biorefinery & Bioenergy Competence Centre, a national R&D programme funded by the Irish Government to drive bioenergy innovation.