By Business & Finance 
John O’Leary is co-owner and CEO of SE Systems, responsible for overseeing the company’s performance and strategic direction. He is recognised for his communication skills and for developing strategic partnerships with customers, suppliers, and stakeholders that support SE Systems’ position in the market.
By Héloïse Chaudot
What inspired you to start your company?
I have always had a strong work ethic and had it in my mind to run my own business ever since I was working as a Fitter Turner in America and Spain. When I returned to Ireland, I managed various programmes for Northside Community Enterprises, including insulating homes under SEAIs Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme for 17 years. This experience allowed me to develop my skills in identifying opportunities, developing businesses around them, and networking to drive further expansion.
This gave me the confidence to form SE Systems with Youenn Lowry in 2010. We are now 15 years in existence and have delivered over €900 million worth of energy projects, retrofitting 14,000 homes and 1,700 commercial and community buildings nationwide, saving 1.6 billion kWh of energy and 358,000 tonnes of CO₂.
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
The main priority for us is to support our people. I’m passionate about giving people opportunities, and my role is to identify and develop the next generation of leaders from within our organisation who will continue to maintain our position as market leaders within our industry.
For wider business goals for 2026, we will continue supporting our customers in their decarbonisation strategies, embrace new and emerging technologies, and successfully tender for some National Frameworks that are essential for strategic growth.
How do you keep your team/staff motivated?
We work hard to develop a positive workplace culture while ensuring that all employees are up to date on the company’s medium and long-term vision. We have trust in our team, and we establish meaningful ways to measure performance while creating platforms for career progression within the company. We are proud of that.
What new trends are emerging in your industry?
Energy efficiency is moving from isolated upgrades to bundled, outcome-driven services that customers want delivered as an operating expense rather than as a capital expenditure. At SE Systems, we see this as an opportunity in vertical integration — bringing design, installation, finance, and operations in-house to offer a true one-stop shop. That approach lets us control quality, speed of deployment, and capture more value for clients.
What are the challenges facing the energy sector going forward?
Ireland currently has a domestic target to retrofit 500,000 homes to a minimum B2 standard by 2030, which is very ambitious, especially given the requirement to build 300,000 new homes within the same timeframe. As Ireland is near full employment, it is difficult to see where the labour force will come from to deliver both targets.
With the additional cost of auto-enrolment and minimum wage increases, businesses will also find it increasingly difficult to find the capital expenditure to invest in improving the energy efficiency of their buildings. That will be an issue for our sector.
How do you define success, and what drives you to succeed?
At SE Systems, we monitor our success on two key pillars: Staff retention and customer satisfaction. We put a lot of emphasis on understanding our customers’ requirements and empower our staff to manage their expectations. Financial rewards will come if you continually deliver a quality service, and staff retention is key to this. Thankfully, we are doing well on both of those fronts.
What have been your highlights in the last year?
SE Systems celebrated 15 years in business this year, which is a significant achievement for any company that has survived a recession and a pandemic.
2025 has also brought recognition to the wonderful staff we have in SE Systems by receiving an award at the Cork Business Awards 2025. We recently won an SEAI award for Best Residential Upgrade for our work in retrofitting 18 dwellings for Lion House Housing Association in Cork. That gave us huge satisfaction.
Our community fund is always a highlight. This year, we gave €500,000 in funding to 45 community projects and charities across the country to retrofit vital local amenities and buildings.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given in business?
The best advice I have received in business is to base everything you do on two fundamentals: trust and respect. They form the basis of every business relationship.
What advice would you give to others starting in business?
My advice to any person starting in business is to choose a sector that you are passionate about, investigate it, and fully understand the risks associated with your chosen sector. Carefully plan out your marketing strategy and sales plan, and continually strengthen your team for future growth.
What is your favourite hobby and why?
I have a keen interest in all sports, but Gaelic Games and National Hunt racing are very much a part of who I am. I have been involved with the Brian Dillons GAA club in Cork for many years. I met my wife, Karen, through the club, and my daughter, Niamh, plays camogie with them. I am a true believer that whatever problems you may face in life, you will always find the solutions from good friends within a GAA Club.
What is your mantra for life?
Continue to learn every day while exploring new opportunities and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
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