In this interview, written in collaboration with The Currency, the Tipperary businesswoman talks to Tom Lyons about sustainability, expanding internationally, and the nature of family businesses.
I would definitely say to other women to enter – it is a great opportunity to showcase their business and network.” After I finished school, I went to college but decided it wasn’t for me, so I joined the business full-time.” Aisling Ryan CEO Ryans Cleaning, winner of the Family Businesswoman category of the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year 2023 Awards with sponsor Seonadh Johnson, Director, Private Wealth Management, Key Capital. Photograph: Kieran HarnettAs Ryans Cleaning expanded, it also started to work increasingly with Ireland’s biggest music promoter MCD. The Earl of Mount Charles had started hosting huge concerts at Slane Castle often organised by MCD.
In May 2017, a terrorist attack on an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester killed 22 people and injured over 1,000. Ryans Cleaning was not working at the concert, but Aisling said it impacted her industry hugely. “It changed the events business,” she said. “A lot of cleaning, security and bar staff at big events are only temporary so you may not know [them] that well.”