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“A clear vision of growth and sustainability”
In January 2026, Apleona acquired the Irish Tim Kelly Group, marking another important step towards strengthening its market position in Ireland. In this interview, Darragh Spain, Apleona Ireland's 47-year-old managing director, discusses what he believes is crucial for success in Ireland. He also assesses the future development of the Irish market and explains what he finds particularly rewarding about working in facility management.
What do you value about Apleona?
Apleona promotes innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The company has a clear vision of growth and sustainability, and it is great to be part of a team that values professional development and customer satisfaction. What I enjoy most is building and working with our diverse teams—that truly motivates me.
What must a successful FM company offer its customers in the Irish market?
It must deliver reliable, high-quality services, supported by strong compliance, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability. Flexibility, cost efficiency, and a proactive approach to customer needs are also critical for long-term success.
How do you assess market growth for Ireland over the coming years?
The Irish FM market is expected to grow steadily, driven by expansion in sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and commercial real estate. Increasing regulations and ESG requirements will also create demand for professional FM support. By strengthening our integrated service offering, investing in digital solutions, and focusing on energy and sustainability services, Apleona will be well positioned to benefit from this market environment. We will continue to build long-term customer relationships and explore opportunities in both the private and public sectors.
What role does the increasing outsourcing of FM services play in this context?
A crucial one. As companies focus more on their core business and seek cost efficiencies, the trend toward outsourcing FM services—particularly integrated contracts—will continue to grow. In Ireland, outsourcing is most advanced in the pharmaceutical, technology, finance, and manufacturing sectors. In the future, we expect more customers from the public sector, healthcare, and educational institutions to adopt outsourced and integrated FM models. There will be growing demand for strategic FM partnerships that combine data, sustainability, and lifecycle management. Customers will increasingly seek long-term, bundled service agreements aligned with ESG objectives.
ESG and sustainability are of enormous importance to the FM industry. What is the status of decarbonising Ireland’s building stock, and which best-practice projects can Apleona highlight?
Decarbonising existing buildings in Ireland is essential to achieving national and EU climate targets, particularly as more than 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been constructed. Apleona plays a key role in supporting customers across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 through PPAs, energy audits, building optimisation, and retrofit solutions. We have delivered best-practice projects involving HVAC upgrades, BMS optimisation, LED retrofits, and the integration of renewable energy in office buildings, data centres, and pharmaceutical facilities—all contributing to reduced emissions and operational cost savings.
What is your vision for Apleona Ireland in 2030?
Our goal is to be the leading provider of sustainable, data-driven FM in Ireland—delivering integrated services that help customers achieve operational, environmental, and compliance objectives while creating excellent workplaces.
