The Women in Facilities Management Awards 2026 have received national coverage in The Irish Times, highlighting Claire Williams, HR manager at Flexéir Facilities Services, as the recipient of the overall leader award at the ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry.

Now in its second year, the awards programme attracted 45 entries across 10 categories, and 145 guests from across the facilities management sector joined the evening, hosted by Fiona Buckley. The judging panel recognised Claire for leadership that combines strong commercial awareness with a genuine commitment to developing people and creating positive working environments. Reflecting on the night, Claire spoke of the fantastic women excelling across every category and described it as a privilege to be among them.

Recognition extended across the full spectrum of the sector. ISS Facility Services took the best female-led team award, while Nina Haller of Eurofins Scientific (Ireland) received excellence in industry and Deirdre McGrath of Sensori was named winner of excellence in FM business support. Claire Williams also took excellence in senior leadership for organisations under 100 employees, with Suzanne Ryan of ISS Facility Services winning the 100+ employees category. Helen McManus of RM Reliance was recognised for best operations leadership in the SME category, Michelle My Lee of Novartis Ireland won the large category, and Sadbh Malone of Flexéir Facilities Services was named rising star of the year.

The legacy award was presented to Margot Slattery of ISS World Services, recognised for leading initiatives in inclusion, equality, diversity, and social sustainability across 350,000 ISS employees worldwide.

Judging coordinator Eileen Slamon thanked all shortlisted entrants for putting themselves forward and noted that FM now has a seat at the table, with the awards offering another opportunity to showcase the career opportunities within the sector. Blackrock Facility Management, shortlisted in its first year at the awards, said the team came away genuinely inspired and plans to return, while Nina Haller encouraged peers to enter next year with the reminder that there is nothing to lose.

The awards were supported by sponsors MKF Property Services, Honest Elevator Company, ISS Ireland, and Flexéir Facilities Services, with Amárach Research as supporter.

Stay tuned for the Women in FM Awards 2027 cycle, where nominations will open for a new cohort of outstanding FM professionals from across Ireland.

Read the full coverage in The Irish Times, view the full list of winners at womeninfmawards.ie/shortlist, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed on future award cycles and event announcements.