On Demand: RSUA Conference 2025

Claire Hanna, MP for Belfast South

Claire Hanna has served as Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) since October 2024.

She has served as MP for Belfast South since 2019. Claire previously served as an MLA for Belfast South from 2015 until her election to Westminster in 2019.

Glenn Patterson – Writer and Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre

Glenn Patterson was born, and lives, in Belfast.

A writer of fiction, non-fiction, of scripts for stage and screen, and a founding patron of Fighting Words Northern Ireland, he is Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University, Belfast.

Hilary McGrady – Director-General at the National Trust

Hilary McGrady is Director-General of the National Trust, Europe’s biggest conservation charity. Originally trained in graphic design, Hilary’s career path started in the drinks industry in brand and marketing. In 1998 she moved to become director of a national arts charity and was seconded in 2002 to become CEO of Belfast’s bid to become European Capital of Culture. Hilary joined the National Trust in 2006 as Regional Director for Northern Ireland. She later became Regional Director for Wales and the London and South East region and in 2014 was appointed Chief Operating Officer.

Pete Boyle – Business owner and Developer at Argento

Pete Boyle is the Belfast entrepreneur behind successful ventures like Argento and Let’s Go Hydro.

Pete has grown Angus Properties, a successful property development business with a focus on transforming existing buildings. Most recently, he’s been behind the redevelopment of the City Printing Works on Queen Street and properties on Royal Avenue and Lombard Street into office and retail space.

Sara Lynch – Head of Sustainability, Estates Directorate, QUB

Sara has over 15 years experience as a sustainability practitioner in the Corporate, NGO and FHE sectors. As Head of Sustainability in the Estates Directorate at Queen’s University Belfast, Sara leads the University’s expanded Sustainability Team, overseeing the development of the University’s sustainability strategy.

Queen’s University’s sustainable construction goals include the re-use, retrofit and refurbishment of existing buildings over construction of new buildings, implemented through projects like the Main Site Tower and Computer Science Building. The University also considers best practices when making the difficult decision to demolish existing buildings.