60 Seconds With

“Always trust your gut instinct.” 60 Seconds With: P.J. Flanagan, CEO, H&MV Engineering Limited

By Business & Finance
11 December 2018
P.J. Flanagan

P.J. Flanagan, CEO, H&MV Engineering Limited takes on the Business & Finance 60-second interview challenge.


Q. What was your first job?

My first job was an Electrical apprenticeship at H&MV. From the day I started I knew H&MV was the future for me. I enjoyed the daily challenges that faced me and I could see the opportunities that were in front of me.

Q. What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?

There’s no ‘I’ in team and I’m mindful that my role of CEO is only made possible by the great team working with me. Leading H&MV on to a global stage and seeing it flourish in to a brand leader leader in the Irish market and beyond.

Q. In three words or fewer, how do you define success?

Family- My family being happy is what puts me in a good place to achieve more and more. Staff- Making the work place an enjoyable place for my staff to come to work, enjoy and express themselves makes me proud. Clients- without loyal and happy clients you don’t have a business.

Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Always trust your gut instinct.

Q. How do you motivate yourself?

I surround myself with like-minded people. We share a common goal and dream. I like to be challenged. Problem solving motivates me. Working with an ambitious and driven team is key to my motivation. I value my work/life balance and my personal time is important to me.

Q. If you could step into the shoes of one business person for the day, who would it be and why?

Richard Branson- He is a man who values his employees and advocates that ‘happy’ employees make a huge positive contribution to the success of any business. I believe we share many of the same values

Q. How do you relax?

Spending my free time with my family, cycling and my involvement with my local GAA club at a number of different levels helps me to relax.

Q. What’s your motto?

Positive mind, positive vibes, positive life.

Q. What are your aspirations for the future of your business?

My plans for the business are to grow H&MV globally, to be a world leader in our industry. We are constantly identifying new territories and markets. All the while concentrating on the business ‘at home’ in Ireland. We are focused on developing talent within the H&MV family ethos to make this dream a reality.

Positive mind, positive vibes, positive life.