FM Today and Tomorrow 2026 has announced three new additions to its speaker lineup, bringing together a bid director with two decades of FM experience, the founder of Ireland's largest leisure centre operator, and an HR leader who has made a major FM employer one of Ireland's best places to work.

Julie Nicholson, Bid Director at Bidvest Noonan, leads a team of bid professionals shaping strategic solutions for major public and private sector opportunities. With more than 20 years in facilities management focused on the intersection of people, technology, and operational excellence, Julie has been at the forefront of how FM companies position and differentiate themselves in competitive markets. Recognised as Ireland's first Purple Tuesday Ambassador and named Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year 2024, she brings a perspective on FM leadership and inclusive practice that extends well beyond bid strategy.

Gar Holohan, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Aura Holohan Group, brings a different but equally significant FM perspective to the conference. As the founder and chair of Ireland's largest operator and employer in the health and fitness industry, with 18 leisure centres under management, Gar has built an organisation that sits at the intersection of facilities management, community impact, and public health infrastructure. A Fellow of the RIAI who chaired the International Union of Architects' working group on sport and leisure and advised government on sport and tourism for 25 years, his contribution to the conference will bring the strategic and architectural dimensions of large-scale leisure facility management to the agenda.

Narcisa Popovici, HR Director at Aura Holohan Group, completes the newly announced lineup. With over 14 years in senior HR leadership across the leisure, healthcare, and facilities management sectors, Narcisa leads the people strategy that has made Aura a Great Place to Work Best Workplace in Ireland 2026 and earned the organisation Investors in Diversity accreditation. Her session will address what it takes to build and sustain a thriving people culture within a complex, multi-site FM operation.

With the conference taking place on Wednesday 4 November 2026 at the Crowne Plaza, Santry, the expanding programme brings together perspectives spanning FM strategy, workplace culture, operational delivery, inclusion, technology, and the management of complex facilities.

Full details and registration are available at fmawards.ie/conference, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed on further speaker announcements and agenda updates.