Meet the Team
Philip Gurnett – EPS Director
Philip is Director of the Education Procurement Service (EPS) and Head of Sourcing Education, leading education procurement nationally across the education sector and wider public service.
With over 30 years’ senior leadership experience, he has played a key role in advancing procurement transformation in Ireland and, since 2013, has led the development of EPS as part of the Government’s national procurement reform programme, overseeing EPS procurement activity of approximately €1bn annually.
He has shaped national frameworks, sourcing strategies, and governance models, while advancing centralised procurement and data-driven decision-making. Philip is committed to sustainable, compliant, and customer-focused procurement that delivers value across the public sector.
Denise O’Malley – Head of Corporate Services:
Denise leads corporate services within EPS, managing key relationships with customers and stakeholders across the education sector and wider public service.
She oversees core business functions including data & reporting, governance and internal structure.
Denise plays a key role in supporting organisational effectiveness, strategic development and planning in the delivery of high-quality procurement services.
Maria Owens – Portfolio Manager:
Maria leads procurement operations within EPS, responsible for overseeing sourcing activities and the day-to-day management of the EPS portfolio.
She leads the delivery of procurement projects across the education sector and wider public service, ensuring effective planning, coordination, and execution.
Maria works closely with the EPS Director on strategic and bespoke procurements, supporting the delivery of high-value and complex procurement initiatives.
Michael Hughes – Category Manager – Agriculture, Veterinary & Library:
Michael is Category Manager for Library Goods and Services within EPS, bringing a broad category focus to delivering compliant and effective procurement solutions across this specialised and multi-disciplinary area.
Michael also leads the sourcing and project planning for the Agriculture and Veterinary category, contributing to the delivery of effective and compliant national procurement solutions.
Our category specialists in the Agriculture/Veterinary and Library Team are responsible for the sourcing and procurement of Agriculture/Veterinary Goods and Services including large scale equipment/machinery and small scale equipment as well as books, journals and periodicals etc. in the library space.
Gerry Kennedy – Category Manager – Education:
Gerry is Category Manager for Education within EPS, leading the delivery of sourcing projects across the education category.
Gerry plays a key role in delivering bespoke procurement solutions, with a strong focus on supporting frontline education needs and service delivery.
The Education Strategic Category manages a range of bespoke procurement solutions for the Education Sector. The team are committed to establishing a suite of dynamic and agile sourcing arrangements tailored specifically to meet sector requirements.
Glen Coyle – Category Manager – Laboratory:
Glenn is a Category Manager within EPS, leading the Laboratory category and the delivery of sourcing projects across this specialist area.
Glenn brings particular expertise in technically complex procurements, ensuring compliant, high-quality solutions for laboratory equipment and services.
Our category specialists in the Laboratory Team are responsible for the sourcing and procurement of Laboratory/Research Diagnostics, Services and Equipment including large scale lab equipment, small scale lab equipment, lab consumables, lab gases, chemicals and reagents etc.
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