Legal leaders to take centre stage at Impact Players 2026 in Belfast

Taking place at ICC Belfast on Tuesday 12 May, the conference will bring together more than 500 leaders from across business, sport and professional services for a full-day programme focused on high performance, resilience and leadership.

Among the 2026 speaker line-up are Kathryn Walls and Jude Copeland, both of whom are helping to redefine the role of lawyers in a changing world.

Kathryn Walls, a pioneering technology lawyer and athletics coach, will bring her unique perspective shaped by both professional and personal challenge. Known for holding an unofficial world record for completing a marathon while playing the ukulele and singing, her story blends resilience, creativity and leadership.

Her work centres on empowering women to embrace challenge and create meaningful impact, drawing parallels between sport and the legal profession to inspire confidence and growth.

Joining her is Belfast-based lawyer Jude Copeland, who specialises in artificial intelligence, legal technology and ethical innovation. He advises organisations on navigating automation while protecting access to justice and digital rights, an increasingly critical issue for the legal sector.

Beyond his professional work, Jude is also a prominent civic leader, working to tackle gender-based violence and supporting initiatives that engage men in prevention and allyship.

The lawyers will join a high-profile line-up led by broadcaster and author Clare Balding, alongside leadership coach Michelle Moore, football trailblazer Gail Redmond MBE and People Playbook founder Tony McGaharan.

The conference is led by co-founders Sinead Sharkey-Steenson and Lisa Strutt, who will open the event with a keynote drawing on more than two decades of leadership and development experience.

Ms Sharkey-Steenson said: “Impact Players is about bringing together people who are not only leaders in their field, but who are using their voice and expertise to create meaningful change.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Kathryn and Jude to the stage this year. Both represent a new kind of leadership within the legal profession, forward-thinking, values-led and deeply committed to making a difference beyond their own careers. Their perspectives will resonate far beyond law and into every sector represented in the room.”