Bernard McKeown

Background

About Bernard McKeown

With 26 years professional experience in economic policy development I have an established and well proven track record as a thought leader in Northern Ireland Government, working for the Minister and Department for the Economy (DfE), and across the NI Executive. I am Head of Priority Sectors & Technology, a leading role in NI’s Industrial Strategy. Previously I set up the Chief Scientific & Technology Adviser's post & office in 2022-24 and acted as the CSTA's first Chief of Staff. In 2006 I conceptualised and established Northern Ireland's science & technology industry panel,"Matrix", to advise government on science, technology & innovation. From 2006 to 2018 I was Head of Future Sectoral Policy for DfE & the NI Executive in which I led: NI's Foresight and Horizon Scanning Programme; R&D, science and engineering policies including strategy and programme development; Sector Specialisation policies & strategies focusing Economic, Higher Education (HE) & Further Education (FE), and Skills Policies onto sectors and global markets of most likely future importance & highest potential economic return. During this period I oversaw the delivery of more than 30 Matrix foresight reports & monographs which have since shaped most of the Northern Ireland government's industrial & innovation strategies. Throughout this time frame I supported the development of key sectoral translational research centres, key R&D and business support programmes, and university R&D funding for key sectors and disciplines often representing tens of millions of pounds of investment.