Employee Spotlight – Anne Ita Ryan, Group Finance Director

February 2022

Anne Ita Ryan, Finance Group Director
  1. What is your professional background?

I did a Business Studies Degree at the University of Limerick and did my graduate training with Hewlett Packard in Edinburgh and am a qualified Accountant (CIMA).  I transferred to Hewlett Packard in Dublin in 1998 and managed the Planning and Reporting function in Finance.  One of the areas I looked after was the Facilities Department and it was here I met Martin McMahon.  We left Hewlett Packard in 2000 and set up Vector Workplace & Facility Management where I was the Finance Director. After selling Vector and enjoying retirement, Martin and I again joined forces and set up Accent Facilities Solutions where I resumed the role of Finance Director.  I joined the Neylons team in September 2022.

  1. What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

Having set up and run two separate companies, it has been fascinating to me to get to know the Neylons and Aquachem businesses, and how they are structured and run.  It’s been a huge adjustment going from being an owner/manager to being an employee and I’m really enjoying being able to focus more on the Financial side of the business where I am (hopefully) stronger rather than the operations side. Being able to “look under the bonnet” of a company so similar yet so different to the others I have been involved with has been very educational.

  1. Can you tell us about a challenge you had in your role and how you overcame it?

There are different challenges every day in the FM industry.  It’s one of the things I both love and hate about it – no two days are ever the same.  I think my biggest challenge has been learning that it’s OK to look for help and to delegate – I’m somewhat controlling in regard to work and like to make sure that everything is done correctly.  Learning to pass control over to my staff and to trust that they are making the right decisions is a learning process.

  1. What do you like about working at Neylons so far?

Cliché as it is – it’s the people.  Everyone is very approachable and friendly. Neylons has achieved huge growth while keeping its fundamental values in place, which is something I am particularly proud to be a part of.

  1. What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I’m more introverted than people think, I’d far prefer to have a one-on-one conversation than socialise in the crowd.  I would also win an award for worrying – it’s my superpower, unfortunately!

  1. What would be three words to describe you best?

Loyal, compassionate, straightforward.

  1. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I take people completely at face value so it might be handy to read minds. I’d know if they were being genuine.

  1. What tv show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love?

More recently Selling Sunset but my biggest cringe is that I loved Twilight.  I’m mortified to admit that!

  1. What do you like to do on your days off?

What I’d like to do is meet up with family and friends for coffee/dinner or do some travelling, but what I do spend my time doing is going to matches with my kids.

  1. Your happy place?

Now that my kids are older, it’s just having them all at home at once.  Did I mention the worrying?!  Sitting with a good book, a warm fire and a glass of wine is also up there.