Deepa Mann-Kler Chief Executive

As Chief Executive of Neon and Visiting Professor of Immersive Futures with Ulster University, Deepa specialises in the use of immersive technologies for health. As a TEDx speaker and thought leader she regularly keynotes on the intersection of digital transformation, technical innovation, inclusion, ethics, bias, data and AI. Deepa is author of the first report on race discrimination with policy recommendations for the public sector in Northern Ireland "Out Of The Shadows." As an artist Deepa has a strong focus on public art light installations, notably Light Up Leicester 2020, Lumiere Durham 2019, London 2016 & 2013 in Derry/Londonderry UK City of Culture.

Professor Nichola Rooney Clinical Adviser

Nichola is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist. She is currently Chair of the British Psychological Society NI and Professional Adviser to the RQIA, having held numerous leadership roles within the NHS throughout her 30 year career. Professor Rooney has conducted and published research in the area of neuro-developmental outcomes congenital heart disease. Nichola is Honorary Professor at Queen’s University Belfast and is Chair of the Children’s Heartbeat Trust NI; a Former Independent Assessor, Commission for Public Appointments NI (CPANI) and a former Commissioner, Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC). 

Tom Gray Technology Non-Executive Director

Tom has 30 years' experience in the IT Sector as group CTO and Director of Innovation of Kainos. He is also an angel investor and holds board positions in a number of tech start-ups across the UK. He holds a BSc in Computer Science from Queen's University Belfast and is a Member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET) and is past-chair of IET NI. Tom has significant experience in driving innovation in organisations across the gamut of financial services, telecommunications, retail, real estate, media, etc and was recognised as the Most Influential Person in Tech in Northern Ireland by Tech Nation in 2018. Tom set up and ran the Northern Ireland branch of Digital Catapult and, since 2013, has curated the annual BelTech conference and, since 2019, AI Con. Tom is a member of the Northern Ireland Science Panel, MATRIX and contributes to the activities of the CBI NI digital forum. Tom is a Director of companies in the Identity (SureCert) and Healthcare (Service Robotics) spaces.  Tom is also a member of the IET Engineering Policy Group for NI and the CBI Tech Council. He is passionate about ensuring that everyone in NI has access to appropriate Digital Skills. Tom created and sponsors the Kainos Tech Outreach programme, is co-chair of the Ulster University Industrial Liaison Panel.

Dr David Hill Finance Non-Executive Director

David is Owner/Director of Hill Business Growth Consultants and has worked with dozens of start-ups and growing businesses in taxadvantaged fundraising (SEIS/EIS), management incentivisation including share option schemes, R&D Tax Credits and business planning. David is also currently a Non-Executive Director of City Radar and, as a NED of SureCert, was central to the successful fundraising by the company in July 2017. David is a former senior Inspector of Taxes and specialist tax business leader with PWC NI. David’s role in NEON is to advise on the Company’s structure, financial operation and strategy, and management of investor relations. David has recently joined the Board of Flax Art Studios in Belfast in a voluntary capacity. He is an Affiliate Member of the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association and a Business Member of Arts & Business NI and has mentored CEOs of several local arts charities under ABNI programmes since 2009. As volunteer Chairman, David was Senior Responsible Officer for the £7m redevelopment of the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast in 2010.