Co Cavan-based McBreen Environmental was the standout performer at the Facilities Management Awards 2026, claiming two trophies, including the main award for overall excellence. The company delivers technology-driven drainage and environmental services for the FM sector, and its double win reflected a consistent focus on investment in people, technology and client insight.
“There was a lot of competition in the sector, so it was tough to win tonight,” said Orla Clarke, sales and marketing manager. “We work with many facility management companies and we’re always looking to understand our customers’ pain points so we can make things better and easier for them. I believe that’s why we won our awards.”
McBreen Environmental was one of five organisations to take home two trophies on the night. Platform94 won in the workplace performance and estates manager categories, while JLL, LinkedIn and Bidvest Noonan also doubled up across the evening’s 29 categories. The awards attracted 155 entries from across the sector.
Hosted by Mario Rosenstock, the awards took place at the Royal Dublin Convention Centre, with more than 460 industry professionals in attendance. Now in its 13th year, the awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership across Ireland’s FM sector, celebrating achievement in operational efficiency, workplace optimisation, risk and compliance management and sustainable facilities practices.
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Francis Lyons, chief executive at awards sponsor ECAT Group, remarked that most people never see the work that keeps offices, hospitals, schools, airports and nursing homes running every day. “Behind every facility are dedicated people quietly keeping spaces safe, clean, compliant and working smoothly. The FM Awards recognises their indispensable service,” he said.
Liam Smith, sales director at platinum sponsor Tork, said: “Tork is delighted to sponsor the FM Awards, an event that champions excellence in facilities management. We are committed to supporting facility managers in delivering superior cleaning standards, operational efficiency and healthier work environments. It was a privilege to engage with industry leaders, share knowledge and celebrate all finalists, with special congratulations to the winners for their remarkable achievements.”
On the individual side, there was award recognition for Shane Darcy of SOS Group, Maeve Boland of Gilead Sciences Ireland, Catalina Farcasanu of Qualitas Property Partners and Derek McDonald, who was presented with the Facilities Management Leader 2026 award.
McDonald is senior facilities manager Europe at AMD, and his professional journey spans two decades and three big global organisations. In his current role he oversees integrated workplace strategy across 28 offices in 14 countries.
On receiving his award, McDonald said: “Strong leadership is particularly important in FM. If you’d asked people 15 to 20 years ago how they ended up in FM, most would have said they fell into it. Now far more people are starting out in FM by choice and securing the qualifications. Having strong leaders who can articulate the added value of facilities to organisations means the future is extremely bright for the industry.”
Les Sheridan, managing director of Mitie Ireland, said the company is a long-standing awards sponsor and backs the awards for showcasing excellence in facilities management. “As the flagship event in the FM calendar, they celebrate outstanding people, teams and projects that enhance building experiences and underline the value delivered to clients daily,” he said.
Carlos Garcia, chief executive at award winner Total Clean, said: “It’s hard work, and we’ve knocked on the door several times over the years, so it’s great to finally win and have that hard work recognised. The calibre of the contestants is phenomenal, and we’re honoured to be amongst them.”
Mary Banks, office facilities manager at Tirlán Hybrid, said that leading organisations such as Tirlán are emerging as blueprints for sustainable, high-performing workplaces, “demonstrating how facilities strategy and thoughtful design can support collaboration, wellbeing and modern ways of working”.
Judging coordinator Alex Magee said the quality of submissions this year reflected how significantly the profession has evolved. “Facilities management today extends far beyond the maintenance of physical assets,” he said. “It plays a vital role in supporting organisational performance, employee wellbeing and environmental responsibility.”
Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at award organiser Business River, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2026 platinum sponsors, ECAT Group, Mitie Ireland and Tork. Our gold sponsors, Synergy Security Solutions, Sensori, CBRE Global Workplace Solutions Ireland, Bidvest Noonan, Portobello Institute, Flexéir Facilities Services, Kärcher Ireland, Western Hygiene, ISS Ireland, SOS Group, Berka Solutions and McKeon Group, Panda, Sodexo, ABM Ireland and Ascension Lifts. I also want to recognise our supporter, Amárach Research. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”
Awards judges
- Alex Magee (judging coordinator) – lecturer, Atlantic Technological University
- Owen Brennan – group head of facilities, Grace Healthcare
- Fionnuala Byrne – senior director – real estate & workplace services EMEA, Google
- Marie Caffrey – director, Universal Floral
- John Cunniffe – director, G4S FM Ireland
- Martina Daly – senior manager EHS, security and facilities, Microchip Technology Ireland
- Brian Fitzpatrick – owner, Isambard
- Ian Glendon – chief infrastructure officer, Technological University Dublin
- Tim Hysom – operations director, Anabas
- Barry Kelly – head of facilities, National College Of Art & Design
- Hugh Kenny – owner, Coatek
- Carmel Lindkvist – professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Alisha Martin – sales director, Assure Compliance Services
- Stan Mitchell – chief executive officer, Key Facilities Management
- Denis O’Connor – director of real estate, University of Galway
- Gillian O’Connor – chief operations officer, Universal Floral
- John Powell – head of corporate services, Premier Irish Homes
- Eileen Slamon – retired workplace manager
- Stephen Toomey – head of facilities management, Trinity College Dublin
- Jude Torley – chief executive, Shabra
- Keith Weston – director of engineering, Powerscourt Hotel
Award winners
Overall excellence in facilities management (Sponsored by ECAT Group)
Winner: McBreen Environmental
Workplace and estates manager of the year (Sponsored by Mitie Ireland)
Winner: Thomas Fisher – Platform94
Workplace and estates team of the year (Sponsored by Mitie Ireland)
Winner: Southern Regional College
FM service provider team of the year (Sponsored by Western Hygiene)
Winner: Mitie Facilities Management – Vodafone Team
Specialist FM service provider of the year
Winner: McBreen Environmental
Total FM service provider of the year (Sponsored by Tork)
Winner: OCS Ireland
FM project of the year – public sector
Winner: Bidvest Noonan – National Aquatic Centre: Smart Building Management & IoT Condition Monitoring Transformation
FM project of the year – private sector
Winner: JLL and LinkedIn – Dublin Campus Transition
Best facility
Winner: NIE Networks
Workspace transformation award
Winner: Tirlán Hybrid – Smart Workplace Programme
Best workplace performance (Sponsored by Bidvest Noonan)
Winner: Platform94
Client and service provider partnership of the year – TFM (Sponsored by Panda)
Winner: JLL and LinkedIn
Client and service provider partnership of the year – specialist services
Winner: Work Space and Next Retail
Property management team of the year (Sponsored by Berka Solutions and McKeon Group)
Winner: Aramark Property – Capital Dock 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: Sodexo Ireland – Stop Hunger
Best people development in facilities management (Sponsored by Portobello Institute)
Winner: Flexéir Facilities Services – Elevate
Diversity and inclusivity award (Sponsored by SOS Group)
Winner: Aura Holohan Group
FM service provider professional of the year (Sponsored by ECAT Group)
Winner: Shane Darcy – SOS Group
Women in facilities management award – large organisation
Winner: Maeve Boland – Gilead Sciences Ireland
Women in facilities management award (Sponsored by Flexéir Facilities Services)
Winner: Catalina Farcasanu – Qualitas Property Partners
Excellence in health & safety (Sponsored by Ascension Lifts)
Winner: Bidvest Noonan – Good Catch
Excellence in sustainability – in house (Sponsored by Sensori Group)
Winner: Johnson & Johnson Vision Limerick
Excellence in sustainability – service provider (Sponsored by Tork)
Winner: MCR Group – ÍON Environmental Programme and Greenscene
Cleaning service provider of the year – TFM (Sponsored by Kärcher Ireland)
Winner: Apleona Ireland
Cleaning service provider of the year – specialist (Sponsored by Kärcher Ireland)
Winner: ISS Facilities Services Ireland
Innovation in technology & systems – end users (Sponsored by ABM Ireland)
Winner: Total Clean – MySiteOps
Innovation in technology & systems – providers (Sponsored by CBRE Global Workplace Solutions Ireland)
Winner: Fexillon – Platform and Twin
Facilities management leader 2026 (Sponsored by Sodexo)
Recipient: Derek McDonald
