Sodexo Ireland has been recognised for excellence at the prestigious Facilities Management Awards 2025, claiming the main award at the ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Royal Convention Centre in Dublin.
The annual event, now in its 11th year, has established itself as the leading platform celebrating Ireland’s finest facility and property management teams. This year’s ceremony, hosted by Colm O’Regan, welcomed 484 industry professionals representing 75 companies, with 190 entries competing across 24 award categories.
Sodexo Ireland, which employs 2,950 people across the country, was lauded for its outstanding performance in delivering integrated facilities management solutions across diverse sectors.
The company is part of the global Sodexo Group, a world leader in providing services including food services, infrastructure build, facilities and estate management, workplace experience optimisation, wellness experiences, and personal and homecare services.
“The company’s dedication to enhancing workplace experiences, implementing cutting-edge efficiencies, and prioritising client satisfaction set it apart as an industry leader,” the award citation stated. “This achievement reflects the hard work and expertise of the entire Sodexo Ireland team, reinforcing their position at the forefront of Irish facilities management excellence.”
Since 2014 the Facilities Management Awards have become the leading platform recognising Ireland’s top facility and property management teams.
Les Sheridan, managing director at platinum sponsor Mitie Facilities Management said the company is proud to support the awards. “The awards are the premier night in the FM (facilities management) social calendar, recognising and celebrating the amazing people who work in our industry and the innovative projects they deliver to enhance the experience for everyone that use our clients’ buildings,” he added.
Liam Smith, sales director Ireland at platinum sponsor Tork, an Essity Brand, commented: “Tork is proud to sponsor the FM Awards, celebrating excellence in Facilities Management. We support facility managers in enhancing cleaning quality, efficiency and healthy workspaces. It was a pleasure to connect, share insights and applaud all finalists, especially the winners for their outstanding contributions.”
Judging coordinator Alex Magee highlighted the exceptional quality of submissions, noting that they continue to reach new heights each year, making the judging process increasingly challenging.
“The passion for facilities management showcased in these entries is truly inspiring, reflecting a commitment to excellence and innovation,” he explained. “The groundbreaking ideas and practical advancements being tested demonstrate a bright and promising future for the industry.”
Aisling Ryan, chief executive at award winner Ryans Cleaning, noted that there is stiff competition across all award categories and that it’s brilliant to win an award. “For anyone considering entering the FM Awards, I highly recommend doing it,” she said.
Catalina Farcasanu, group operations manager, said Qualitas Property Partners was confident about winning an award because “we believed in ourselves, what we can achieve, and where we can bring this company to”. Farcasanu added that the awards serve as a great showcase to vendors and potential clients.
The individual FM leader award was presented to Conor Cooney, asset & operations Europe lead at ARUP. With more than 25 years of expertise in asset and facility management, Cooney has guided clients across public and private sectors to enhance performance and resilience.
The judging panel commended Cooney for establishing a leading service in Ireland and driving operations across Europe, leveraging digital platforms and cross-disciplinary expertise to deliver innovative solutions.
Reflecting on the industry, Cooney noted that one of the biggest challenges for facility management over the last 20 years has been building the business case. “I highly recommend that companies enter this competition to demonstrate their capabilities, the good things they do on a daily basis, and their capacity to deliver the services that clients require,” he added.
Among the award winners, Daniel Wilson, senior facilities manager, said Applegreen was delighted to be shortlisted with high calibre peers and win the award in the workplace and estates category.
Julie Nicholson of Bidvest Noonan, winner of the women in facilities management award – service provider, said she was competing in a category with some “amazing women” with lengthy sector experience.
“I really didn’t expect my name to be called out,” she remarked. “It’s critical to take a step back and recognise the hard work that you do. FM is a tough business, with clients and employees to keep happy, so you need to take time to recognise your accomplishments.”
Core’s Lorna Kelty was named workplace and estates manager of the year. She said she was delighted that the Core team was in attendance to celebrate with her. “It’s an amazing competition that pushes you out of your comfort zone, with lots of people from different companies,” Kelty stated.
Daniel Keane, strategic partnership manager at gold sponsor Synergy Security Solutions, commented that as the leading provider of security to the FM sector, Synergy Security Solutions sponsored the FM Awards 2025 to showcase the firm’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the sector. “This highlights our dedication to advancing the industry and recognising outstanding achievements in facilities management,” he said.
Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at BusinessRiver, the awards organiser, said the awards event was made possible through the support of sponsors.
“We are thankful to our 2025 sponsors and professional partners, which includes Mitie Facilities Management, Tork, an Essity Brand, SOS Group, Sodexo Ireland, Synergy Security Solutions, Portwest Ireland, EWL Electric, ISS Ireland Ltd., Western Hygiene, Berka Solutions and Lodge Services, Sensori FM, Boon Edam Ireland Ltd., LMC FM, Thorntons Recycling, Kärcher Ireland, MKF Property Services, BAM Facilities Management, Transpoco and Panda,” he said.
“I also want to recognise our supporters, Cronin Group and Amárach Research. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”
Awards judges
- Alex Magee (judging coordinator), programme chair and lecturer, Atlantic Technological University
- Erica Brennan, chief executive, SeaClean Cleaning Solutions
- Fionnuala Byrne, director of workplace services – EMEA, Google
- Marie Caffrey, director, Universal Floral
- John Cunniffe, director, G4S FM Ireland
- Barry Kelly, head of facilities, National College Of Art & Design
- Hugh Kenny, owner, Coatek
- Carmel Margaret Lindkvist, professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Champika Lasanthi Liyanage, professor of facilities management, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
- Mark Mobach, professor facility management, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen
- Gillian O’Connor, corporate operations snr manager, Gilead
- Ger O’Donovan, chief executive, Elevare Support Services Ireland
- Patrick O’Sullivan, director of support services, Eir
- Paul Roche, head of facilities – northern Europe, ERM – Environmental Resources Management
- Eileen Slamon, retired workplace programme manager
- Keith Weston, director of engineering, Powerscourt Hotel
Award winners
Overall excellence in facilities management (sponsored by Portwest Ireland)
Winner: Sodexo Ireland
Workplace and estates team of the year (sponsored by Mitie Facilities Management)
Winner: Applegreen – FM Team
Workplace and estates manager of the year (sponsored by LMC FM)
Winner: Lorna Kelty – Core
FM service provider team of the year (sponsored by Boon Edam Ireland Ltd)
Winner: ISS Team at Heineken
Specialist FM service provider of the year (sponsored by Thorntons Recycling)
Winner: Sensori FM
Total FM service provider of the year (sponsored by Tork, an Essity Brand)
Winner: Sodexo Ireland
FM project of the year – public sector
Winner: LMC FM and Irish Prison Service
FM project of the year – private sector (sponsored by Mitie Facilities Management)
Winner: FoodSpace
Client and service provider partnership of the year (sponsored by BAM Facilities Management)
Winner: Vodafone and Mitie Facilities Management
Best building & workplace performance (sponsored by EWL Electric)
Winner: Henderson Group Property
Property management team of the year
Winner: Aramark Property – ILAC Team
Property management company of the year (sponsored by Synergy Security Solutions)
Winner: Wyse Property Management
Facilities management CSR initiative of the year (sponsored by ISS Ireland)
Winner: SOS Group – Project Inspire
Best people development in facilities management (sponsored by Berka Solutions and Lodge Services)
Winner: Mitie Facilities Management – Mi-Recognition Tool
Diversity and inclusivity award (sponsored by SOS Group)
Winner: Sodexo Ireland
FM service provider professional of the year
Winner: Ciara Tait – JLL
Women in facilities management award – service provider (sponsored by Panda)
Winner: Julie Nicholson – Bidvest Noonan
Women in facilities management award – in house (sponsored by MKF Property Services)
Winner: Cristiana Besteliu – SOS Group
Excellence in health & safety (sponsored by Transpoco)
Winner: Mitie Facilities Management – LiveSafe Programme
Excellence in sustainability – in house (sponsored by Sensori FM)
Winner: Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort – Transforming Golf Course Management
Excellence in sustainability – service provider (sponsored by Tork, an Essity Brand)
Winner: Thorntons Recycling – All you need is to ‘Sort It!’
Cleaning service provider of the year – TFM (sponsored by Kärcher Ireland)
Winner: Sodexo Ireland
Cleaning service provider of the year – specialist (sponsored by Kärcher Ireland)
Winner: Ryans Cleaning
Innovation in technology & systems – end users
Winner: Qualitas Property Partners – Digital Transformation and Sustainability Initiative
Innovation in technology & systems – providers (sponsored by Western Hygiene)
Winner: Fexillon – Platform and Twin
Facilities management leader 2025 (sponsored by Sodexo Ireland)
Recipient: Conor Cooney
