The WiB Group Chair's Lunch

Sarah Travers

Host

Sarah Travers is co-founder and director of Bespoke Communications, a leading training and professional development company serving the UK and Ireland. Sarah is a former BBC news journalist and TV presenter, with a keen interest in stories and the people that shape them. Sarah is a familiar face to many in Northern Ireland, where she was news anchor in the BBC newsroom for 17 years, covering high profile stories throughout the Northern Ireland peace process, and key events like the London 2012 Paralympics and BBC Children in Need. Sarah has also presented lifestyle programming for UTV and is in demand as an event and conference MC and podcast host.

Nichola Robinson

Chair of The WiB Group

With over 30 years’ experience in Aerospace Supply Chain Nichola is currently a member of the leadership team at Spirit AeroSystems Belfast. As the Strategic Sourcing Director, Nichola leads a team of sourcing professionals with responsibility for the planning and execution of global sourcing strategies, managing the introduction of new programmes and developing supply chain solutions for customers. Her leadership responsibilities also include continuous improvement within the supply chain, Spirit Belfast, where she leads a team of engineering and sourcing professionals who develop and implement innovative concepts. A graduate in Management Operations from University of Jordanstown, she also has a professional coaching qualification, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

Eleanor Hudson

BT Group

Accountable for BT's key public and private sector contracts, c.£1.5 billion per annum, contributing materially to BT Group’s profitability. Her team's portfolio includes the UK's key critical national infrastructure contracts and includes customers such as NATS, MOD, HMRC, Met police, and various banking institutions. She is responsible for overseeing the risk and assurance for these contracts, ensuring operational stability working with her service colleagues and adherence to compliance standards. She also spearheads the Contract Management Evolution transformation program across BT Group for the sell side. In addition she is committed to promoting inclusion and diversity in the workplace, leading a number of initiatives as the Inclusion and Diversity head for CPS. She serves as the Disability sponsor for the Business division, and is BT Group's Inclusion lead in Northern Ireland.

Dr Theresa Donaldson

Chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners

Appointed in 2021, and reappointed for a second term in 2025, Dr Theresa Donaldson is Chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners and is a Chartered Director and Fellow of the Institute of Directors. Theresa is also on the Board of Cooperation Ireland, a member of the LCJ’s Solicitors’ Disciplinary Panel and Board member for the Centre for Effective Services. She is a former Vice Chair of the EirGrid Group and has previously held Non-Executive positions with the NI Equality Commission, the Health and Social Care Board, the Legal Services Regulatory Authority and NI Probation Board. In her Executive career Theresa was Chief Executive of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and Craigavon Borough Council, and was Director of Policy and Civil Legal Service Delivery in the NI Legal Services Commission.

Chris Conway

Chief Executive of Translink

Chris Conway is Group Chief Executive of Translink, which is the main public transport provider for NI, providing Rail, Bus and Coach services across the region. Chris has recently been appointed as Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Ulster University Council. He is also a Member of Business in the Community (BITC) NI Advisory Board. Chris is a Chartered Company Director, a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Chris previously worked for Tata Steel in the UK&I and for Nortel Networks in EMEA.

Margaret Topping

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement at QUB

Margaret Topping is Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement at Queen’s University Belfast. Current major projects include the establishment of Queen’s campus in India. She is also Professor of French and Intercultural Communication, and her current research centres on debates around: travel, migration and mobility; cross-cultural communication and representation; and the public value of the Arts and Humanities. Her latest book, The Humanities Pandemic: Towards an Essential Services Approach (Palgrave, 2023) argues for the importance of the Humanities in tackling global challenges such as Covid. Margaret is also involved in a range of social innovation initiatives, both within Queen’s University and in the wider community. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Turnaround Project (and was Chair for 3 years), a charity providing transitional employment opportunities for people coming out of the justice system. She is also involved with a range of projects with cross-community youth organisations in Belfast creating opportunities for young people to achieve their potential. Margaret completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Oxford University and previously worked in Oxford, Bangor and Cardiff Universities.