SOFTWARE ALLIANCE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director
- Co - Founder and Managing Director of GCD Technologies
Andrew is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of GCD Technologies, a homegrown custom software and product development company based in Craigavon. Since 1999, GCD has been building best in class digital products that solve meaningful problems and empower businesses to digitally transform, differentiate and grow.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Chief Executive / Tech NI Software Alliance Ltd
Appointed Chief Executive of the Software Alliance in August 2023, David has over 20 years' experience in global cyber security technology, policy, and domain expertise. Previously, he was Head of Strategic Partnerships & Engagement at QUB's Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) where he led the development of strategic relationships with public sector partners. David was appointed by the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) College of Experts in 2021 and previously served as Deputy Director of the University's NCSC recognised Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE-CSE) programme. David is a member of the Northern Ireland Cyber Security Steering Group and is Chair of SpecialisterneNI, an autism at work social enterprise.
Job Titles:
- Director / Analytics
- Managing Director of Analytics Engines
Aislinn Rice is Managing Director of Analytics Engines. Prior to joining Analytics Engines in 2018 she held sales and marketing roles at MV Technology, Agilent and Andor. She has been with AE for almost 6 years and has also had close involvement in Big Data Belfast during that time. She holds a PhD and BEd Chemistry from QUB.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Software Engineering for Allstate
Jim is Director of Software Engineering for Allstate's core Insurance Policy Administration platform. Jim leads a global team of over 300 engineers consisting of 30 product teams based across three shores. His remit is focused on a large Java technology platform, providing services for the key customer journeys for a broad range of Allstate's insurance solutions within a high-volume sales & service environment. Based out of the Belfast office, Jim leads global teams operating across the US, NI and India. With over 30 years of technology experience and 20 years with Allstate Jim is still excited by the challenges that technology offers each and every day. He currently leads the Allstate NI Government and Business engagement team, acts as a mentor on the Protégé program and previously sat on the University of Ulster Advisory board. He has a BSc in Computer Science from Queens and MSc in Information Technology from UUJ.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director / CME Group
Jo is CME Group's Director of Business Operations for the Belfast Office. One of the first CME Group employees in Belfast, she joined the company in 2012 after seven years at Citi Belfast where she specialised in compliance and technology programme management. With responsibility for CME Group's Early Career Programme, Jo sits on the Employer Advisory Boards for both Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast's Computing Schools, the Professional and Financial Services Forum, and is an active speaker in multiple STEM school's initiatives and employability mentoring. At CME Group, Jo represents the Belfast office in its partnerships with government, academia, and local industry.
Laura is Synechron's Head of Northern Ireland. A global fintech consultancy which serves Tier 1 banks and global insurance companies, Synechron first came to Belfast last year, when Laura joined with the commitment to develop, grow, and expand their NI business. One of Laura's primary goals is to ensure Belfast is known as one of Synechron's main delivery centres for technology, with specific capabilities in AI, Data, Cloud & DevOps, Cyber Security, Digital Transformation, and Engineering. Laura is extremely passionate about DEI and has taken the lead position of DEI for the UK region of the business. Laura also sits on the Employee Advisory Board for Ulster University and is an active member of the NI tech community, having her own meet up for leaders across the local tech industry.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Head of Operations at Version 1 NI
Lorna is the Head of Operations at Version 1 NI, and Version 1 ESG Group Director (Environmental, Social, and Governance). She has over 30 years experience in the NI Tech Sector with specific focus on leading tech teams in delivering software solutions for many of our local private and public sector organisations.
Job Titles:
- Director
- VP and Managing Director for Aflac Northern Ireland
Mark is VP and Managing Director for Aflac Northern Ireland: Aflac's Centre for Advanced Technology located in Belfast. Mark joined Aflac in July 2019 as Head of Technology where he was responsible for building technology teams across a number of key business areas. With over 25 years' technology experience, Mark brings a strong focus on delivering innovative capability to support operations for Aflac in the United States.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Emerging Business
Sam Mawhinney is the Director of Emerging Business & Technology at Liberty IT. He has led development teams across the company over the last 18 years and played a fundamental role in establishing Incubator, Liberty IT's innovation division.
Job Titles:
- Director
- CEO and Founder of Instil Software
Tara is the CEO and Founder of Instil Software, a product-focused software engineering consultancy based in Belfast. He has over 30 years broad industry experience, including 10 years writing compilers and emulation software, and 20 years developing software for the telecoms, medical, audio, security, and insurance industries.
Deputy Chair of The Software Alliance, Tom is Chief Technology Officer at Kainos. He is a 25-year tech veteran and is the driving force behind many of Kainos' customer and staff initiatives. Tom is also the Chairman of the University of Ulster Industrial Liaison Board.