The Business Explorer Team is pleased to invite you to an insightful event featuring leading academics specialising in the world of construction: Sean McKenna, Innovation Manager at South West College; Dr John Spillane, Associate Professor in Construction Management at the University of Limerick; and Stephen Barry-Hannon, Senior Researcher at the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster at Munster Technological University. They will share their expertise on Passive Housing, Sustainable and Circular Construction, and the transformative impact of their work on SMEs.
Business Explorer is a funded programme designed to connect businesses directly with the technical specialist support they need to innovate. This event is aimed at SMEs exploring new product development or process improvement. Join us on Wednesday, 5th February, as we discuss:
- Steps to secure funding through the Business Explorer programme
- How to access support from technical specialists
- Exploring how innovative building practices, such as Passive House Design, Sustainability, and Circular Construction, are reshaping the construction industry
Featured Speakers
Stephen Barry-Hannon
Stephen is a Senior Researcher and Project Manager at the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster at Munster Technological University. He leads the Target Circular and BioDirect projects. In Target Circular, Stephen has developed tools that help SMEs adopt sustainable business models and make more informed decisions. He also conducts bioeconomy value chain analysis for key sectors in Ireland. As Project Manager of the all-island initiative BioDirect, Stephen facilitates cross-border and cross-industry collaboration across four key sectors of the economy: Construction, Textiles, Agriculture, and Packaging.
Sean McKenna
As Innovation Manager at South West College, Sean leads a 12-person technical consultancy team specialising in sustainability, construction, engineering, and ICT. With international experience as an architect and Passive House Designer, Sean specialises in energy-efficient, climate-resilient design. Holding degrees in architecture, business, and management from the University of Limerick, Ulster University, and Queen’s University Belfast, he seamlessly integrates sustainable design with strategic innovation. Sean's work has been published in Concrete Quarterly and Self-Build Magazine, showcasing his commitment to future-focused solutions for sustainable development.
Dr. John Spillane
Dr John Spillane is an Associate Professor in Construction Management at the University of Limerick, with over 25 years of experience in higher education and the construction industry. John holds an MBA from University College Dublin and a PhD from Queen’s University Belfast. He has led 28 knowledge transfer projects with industry partners and supervises 6–8 PhD students at any given time. A Chartered Construction Manager and Chartered Building Engineer, his research focuses on digital innovation, sustainability, new product development, and change management. John has received several awards and is actively engaged in research and industry collaborations across Ireland and the UK.