The ninth episode of Series 2 of Business Plus Talks, our podcast produced in association with Business Plus is now available.
Hosted by David Burke, the series brings listeners candid conversations with CEOs, innovators, policymakers and change-makers, exploring the pivotal moments that shaped their careers and perspectives.
The ninth guest of Series 2 is John Kelly, CEO of Suir Engineering, following last week’s episode featuring Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec.
In this episode of Business Plus Talks, John reflects on leadership, growth and the evolving engineering landscape. Kelly reflects on a career that spans decades in the construction and engineering sectors, beginning when he left school at 16 to train as a quantity surveyor while studying Building Construction Technology and Quantity Surveying.
Originally from Liverpool, Kelly traces the influence of his Irish heritage and early career experiences with firms including Taylor Wimpey, Carillion and Laing O’Rourke, before taking on senior roles with Mercury Engineering and later Imtech. He discusses the lessons learned along the way and the importance of adaptability, technical expertise and strong leadership in a rapidly changing industry.
Now three years into his role as CEO, Kelly shares insights into Suir Engineering’s significant growth trajectory. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Waterford, the company operates across key sectors including data centres, energy, renewables, life sciences, food and beverage, and semiconductors. Following its acquisition by private equity group Duke Street in 2022, the business has expanded internationally, with new offices in London, Manchester and Slovakia, and a workforce of more than 1,600 employees.
Kelly also discusses the company’s recent financial performance, including a 56% increase in operating profit in 2024, marking the most successful period in its history, alongside a strong pipeline of opportunities expected to drive continued expansion. Looking ahead, he highlights the importance of investing in talent, including the launch of Suir Engineering’s Apprentice Centre of Excellence in Dublin, aimed at addressing skills shortages and raising standards across the industry.
We are proud to support this podcast and bring you conversations that inspire, challenge and inform, just as our values inspire us to lead the way in law and business.
Business Plus Talks Series 2 in association with Philip Lee LLP, is available across all podcast players, with a new episode released every Wednesday.
