PPPs to take centre stage at National Construction Summit
Ireland’s largest construction industry event will feature a panel discussion between industry leaders on the how public private partnerships (PPPs) can help meet infrastructure challenges, writes David Keniry.
Áine Walsh, Gillian Hegarty, and Mila Lopez Simon are the latest industry leaders added to the roster for National Construction Summit 2024 which takes place at the Sports Ireland Campus on April 18th.
Mila Lopez Simon is the Managing Director of the UK and Ireland business unit at Invesis, the global investor and developer of sustainable infrastructure formerly known as BAM PPP. Mila oversees a dedicated team of over 40 professionals, providing them with leadership and strategic direction. Her responsibilities extend to securing new social and transport PPP projects, fostering collaboration to explore emerging sector opportunities like energy transition and digital infrastructure, and ensuring the continued excellence of project delivery within Invesis’ existing portfolio.
Mila has over two decades of international experience in infrastructure development, financing, and management of large public infrastructure. Prior to her current position, she held key roles at Dragados, Iridium, and Dalmore Capital.
Gillian He
garty is a Senior Manager within the Capital Projects & Infrastructure (CP&I) team at PwC. Gillian is a Chartered Engineer with more than 20 years delivering capital projects for both Public and private Clients. Gillian spent more than 10 years in HSE Capital and Estates guiding projects from inception and funding, to occupancy and maintenance, in both Acute and Community deliveries.
Gillian’s focus is on front loading project planning to ensure successful delivery of fit for purpose facilities and VFM. Gillian’s strengths include funding and capital submissions, Business case development, Stakeholder Management and engagement, procurement strategies, project planning, Contract delivery and management.
Gillian has strong knowledge of key legislation and regulations relating to Public Sector Developments, including EU Procurement Directives, Infrastructural Guidelines, Government Construction Contracts Committee Suite of Public Works Contracts and Capital Works Management Framework, as well as Building Control Regulations.
Áine Walsh, who is based in Ireland, is a Technical Director at Infrata, a global team of technical, ESG and traffic advisors, dedicated to helping both public and private investors unlock the potential of their assets. Áine, a Civil Engineer has over 25 years of international experience and acting as technical advisor on PPPs projects from inception, through design, construction and monitoring phases, liaising with relevant stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Áine has advised lenders, buyers/ sellers, shareholders and stakeholders by providing contract, construction, lifecycle, SPV and O&M strategy and cost models, while identifying potential risks and opportunities. Áine has an extensive understanding of the Irish PPP model, having worked as either designer or technical advisor on a large number of these projects.
The 10th edition of Ireland’s largest construction industry event will take place on 18th April 2024 in the Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown and is sponsored by Kingspan and Bam.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD will provide the keynote address. Other speakers added to the roster include Micheál Keohane, Carol Tallon, Paul Kirwan, Gary Connolly, Stephen Prendiville, Ciarán Nevin, and Eamonn Halpin.
Key topics will include planning, sustainability, and accelerating the delivery of housing,
infrastructure, and a decarbonised built environment.
For more information and to register for free go to https://www.nationalconstructionsummit.ie/.
