A New Chapter for Derrycourt
When Ann and Martin O’Hanlon founded Derrycourt in 1992, supported by a small team and a reputation that had to be earned contract by contract. More than three decades later, Derrycourt supports clients across Ireland, operates in some of the country’s most demanding environments and has grown into one of Ireland’s leading specialist cleaning and facilities management providers.
Today, Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists announces the appointment of Avril McCarthy as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Co-Founder Ann O’Hanlon in the day-to-day leadership of the business.
A Career Built with the Business
For Avril, the appointment follows a career that has developed alongside the growth of the company itself. Long before joining Derrycourt full-time, she spent school holidays and college breaks helping within the family business. After completing her business studies, she formally joined the company in 2000 and went on to build her career across the organisation, taking on increasing responsibility as the business continued to expand.
The organisation she joins as CEO today is very different from the company she entered more than two decades ago. During that time, Derrycourt has expanded nationally, strengthened its position in healthcare, pharmaceutical manufacturing, corporate workplaces and public sector environments, and invested heavily in people, training, technology and sustainability. Avril has played a central role in many of those developments, as General Manager.
Today, Derrycourt supports organisations across healthcare, pharmaceutical manufacturing, corporate workplaces, education, hospitality and public sector environments. The company continues to invest in workforce development, digital transformation, sustainability initiatives and service innovation while maintaining the standards and relationships that have defined the business since its foundation.
When we started Derrycourt, our focus was simple. Do a good job, look after people and be someone clients could trust. As the company grew, we worked hard not to lose that. Today, we support organisations all over Ireland, but we still try to operate with the same approach. Small enough to care, big enough to cope. Avril understands that better than anyone because she has grown with the business. I could not think of a better person to lead Derrycourt into the future.
Leadership Beyond Derrycourt
Avril’s contribution extends beyond Derrycourt. She currently serves as President of the European Cleaning and Facility Services Industry (EFCI), Chairperson of the Irish Contract Cleaning Association (ICCA), and is the longest-serving employer representative on the Joint Labour Committee. Through these roles, she contributes to discussions on workforce development, professional standards and the future direction of the cleaning and facilities management sector across Ireland and Europe.
In 2025, Avril was recognised as European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards Leader of the Year, one of the sector’s most prestigious individual honours. The award followed a successful year for Derrycourt at European level, with the company shortlisted across all three categories it entered, recognising excellence in leadership, training and client partnership.
The future of our industry will be shaped by how well we balance technology, people and trust. Innovation will continue to transform how services are delivered, but lasting success will come from investing in people, maintaining high standards and building strong client partnerships. Those priorities will continue to guide Derrycourt as we look ahead.
Building on Strong Foundations
The appointment marks an important milestone in Derrycourt’s history. It also reflects a succession that has been developing over many years, with Avril helping to guide the organisation through a period of growth, innovation and increasing industry recognition.
As Derrycourt enters its next phase of development, the foundations established over more than three decades remain firmly in place: long-term relationships, operational excellence, investment in people and a commitment to delivering high standards for clients across Ireland.