Dave Morrissey has spent over 15 years driving growth across eCommerce and technology, from high-growth startups to global platforms. At Meta, he partnered with leading brands including HUEL, Alibaba, LEGO, Very and Gymshark to scale performance. He later led TikTok’s Retail and eCommerce Lifestyle team, supporting the growth of brands such as Represent, Adanola, THG, SharkNinja, eBay, Next and more.

Dave is also the author of Grow Like Tech, sharing the mindset and playbooks behind the world’s most successful companies. He now advises ambitious brands through his growth and culture consultancy, helping unlock transformational growth across marketing, strategy and mindset.

Stuart Trevor is a fashion designer and entrepreneur best known for founding, globally-recognised retailer AllSaints in 1994, where he shaped its iconic aesthetic and identity that helped the brand scale worldwide. Prior to AllSaints he was Head of Menswear Design and Buying at Reiss, giving him deep experience in design, merchandising and retail strategy.

After exiting AllSaints, Stuart continues to influence fashion and retail, most recently launching his eponymous sustainable label, reimagining fashion with creativity and purpose.

Meet Holly Hayes, a creative personal brand strategist and social media expert who has worked with some of the biggest brands and creators.

From the likes of L’Oréal, where she was responsible for starting their TikTok and managing their social channels and most recently Steven Bartlett / The Diary Of A CEO. Where she spoke to an audience of over 7 million daily, published 200 pieces of content per month and was responsible for creating viral content. She is now working with one of the biggest media companies in the world. Dear Media, an American business championing over 70 female creatives in the entertainment space.

A seasoned retailer, who has led intensely challenging transitions and integrations from pure retail , to multichannel, omnichannel and digital B2C across all stages of company lifecycle and ownership structures. She has worked in Irish & international retailers from family-owned to NYSE listed, from start-up to liquidation. 

Placing the customer at the heart of proposition and product strategy, Marion now leads a multi-billion euro business, bringing physical,  social and community experiences to life in digital gaming, in regulated environments.  

Marion is an expert at leading strategic evolution, defining the purpose & positioning of channels and focusing on the customer in their experience of your brand, wherever they want to do business with you.  

Jim Power is one of Ireland’s most respected economic analysts and commentators, with over three decades of experience at the forefront of Irish economic thinking. A UCD graduate, Jim has served as Chief Economist at both Bank of Ireland Group Treasury and Friends First Group, and has lectured at UCD’s Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business and Dublin City University.

Éanna Lynch is a senior retail executive with 20 years’ experience across premium and luxury retail, having held leadership roles with some of the world’s most recognised brands including Waterford | Wedgwood (Fiskars), Orlebar Brown (Chanel Group), DKNY and Hugo Boss. As Director of Retail & DTC at Waterford | Wedgwood, he led a £25M global operation across 25 locations, driving significant commercial transformation across both iconic heritage brands. Now working in a consultative capacity through Retail Excellence Advisory, Éanna partners with established and start-up retail businesses on growth strategy, omnichannel transformation, and operational excellence. A passionate advocate for people-first leadership, she is a compelling voice on the future of retail talent, culture and change management. 

Paul Brooks co-founded SFD in 1998 with his brother David Brooks. SFD is a key international player in the supply of inspired retail environments to some of the UK’s top retail blue-chip fashion groups and many independents Brandyourself, with clients including Primark, River Island, Gap, House of Fraser and JD Sports among many others. With overall responsibility for sales and creative direction, Paul has spent decades at the forefront of retail design and store environments, working with some of the most recognised names on the British and international high street. A hands-on creative leader, he brings a wealth of knowledge on what makes a retail environment truly compelling — from store concept to customer experience.

Maeve is the Environment Social Governance (ESG) Manager with Boots Ireland. Prior to that Maeve worked with Accenture in their Corporate Citizenship department but her career began in retailing with Oxfam Ireland, where she worked for 20 years as a District Retail Manager. Her current role marries her love for retailing and her interest in social inclusion and the environment.

Tommy Smyth is Director of Tom Smyth & Associates, one of Ireland’s most trusted HR consultancies supporting Irish and international employers since 1991. With deep roots in retail and expertise spanning HR, employment law and industrial relations, Tommy is a straight-talking, practical voice on the people challenges facing Irish retailers today. TSA is a long-standing partner of Retail Excellence Ireland. 

A sustainability leader with over a decade of experience in the food industry. Elaine’s path to Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland included time as a Bord Bia Origin Green Ambassador, where she gained valuable international experience working with teams in Starbucks and Danone to apply sustainability frameworks across the global food industry.

Now leading sustainability strategy Elaine manages the complexities of large scale retail while achieving milestones like setting a Net Zero by 2050 target. It’s a privilege to navigate the complexities of large scale retail and support important initiatives, such as the rollout of the Deposit Return Scheme and The Lidl Green Fund. Working with a dedicated team, Elaine focuses on connecting local production with global best practices, contributing to Lidl’s efforts in carbon reduction and most recently, sustainable nutrition positioning. These collective efforts led to Lidl Ireland being recognised as the Most Sustainable Retailer in the Ireland RepTrak Sustainability Index for both 2024 and 2025.

Fergus Sharkey is Head of Business Supports with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). 

Fergus is an experienced engineer and proven leader in the energy and sustainability sector. Currently Head of Business Supports in SEAI, helping to lead Ireland’s energy transition. Fergus and his team provide a wide range of supports to businesses looking to improve energy efficiency and adopt renewable energy.

By Car:

• From Dublin: Lyrath Estate is about 1.5 hours (130 km) south of Dublin. Take the M9 motorway southbound, then follow the signs for Kilkenny and the N10. The hotel is located just a short drive from the city center.
• From Cork: It’s about 2.5 hours (160 km) north of Cork. Take the N8 towards Dublin, then the M8 and follow signs for Kilkenny.

By Train:

• From Dublin: Take a train from Dublin Heuston Station to Kilkenny (about 1.5 hours). Once at Kilkenny station, you can take a short taxi ride to Lyrath Estate (approximately 10 minutes).

By Bus:

• Several bus services run from Dublin and other major cities to Kilkenny. From Kilkenny bus station, a short taxi ride will take you to the hotel.

By Air:

• The nearest airport is Waterford Airport (about 1 hour away), but most travelers fly into Dublin Airport and drive or take a train from there.

Please check with your transportation provider for the most up-to-date schedules and routes!