By Business & Finance 
Ciara Foxton, Managing Director of Circle K Ireland, leads the country’s largest fuel and convenience retailer and brings a unique leadership perspective shaped by years of experience in fast-moving, customer-centric industries. She has overseen the company’s increased investment in EV infrastructure, enhancing in retail experience, and driving strong business performance nationwide.
By Rye Baker
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
My top priority is to ensure Circle K continues to be the market leader in forecourt and convenience retailing in Ireland, and that we continue to prioritise our mission to make our customers’ lives a little easier every day. That means delivering a consistent visit with great service and standards to the 1.5 million customers we serve every week. Every customer has different needs, and we are here to support all of them, whether they’re refuelling, recharging or grabbing food on the go.
I am also very focused on our people who are at the heart of our business. Retail is a fast-paced environment, and without good people we cannot deliver for customers. We invest in our people and ensure they are part of a supportive, respectful and inclusive culture and workplace which prioritises their safety and wellbeing and encourages career progression.
What are your biggest challenges as Managing Director?
There are always challenges in business, but opportunities occupy the majority of my time. I often tell my team the journey is never linear, there are ups and downs along the way. What feels like a challenge today can quite quickly become a distant memory or a valued experience.
There are no challenges unique to my role as MD. I work through challenges with the leadership team together in the same way we drive opportunities forward together.
How do you keep your team/staff motivated?
We have a special culture in Circle K, and brand values that we really do live by: One Team, Do the Right Thing, Take Ownership and Play to Win. It is hard to put into words, but the people in Circle K are a special group of people.
We have 2,300 people in our business and keeping engagement high and people motivated is a collective effort. I have an amazing leadership team who in turn have great leaders in their own teams. If you surround yourself with people who are ambassadors for your values and culture, great things can happen across a business.
Our store managers and their teams run the business, the wider support team and I simply support them to serve our customers.
I get involved and I like to think I lead by example. I get out to stores as often as I can and this for me makes a big difference. In my opinion, in retail you can’t lead and motivate from behind a desk and that is something I have learned from some of our most senior leaders in Circle K globally.
I care about people, I trust people, and I take a personal interest in how we develop our teams. It is a fast-paced business, we work very hard, but we have a lot of fun along the way.
What are the challenges facing the industry going forward?
The biggest challenge is also one of the most exciting, which is the energy transition across Ireland. We know the forecourt of today is not the forecourt of tomorrow and customer’s needs will change. We are focused on supporting customers through this change while continuing to deliver quality, value and innovation across our instore food, coffee and convenience offer.
The energy transition for our B2B customers can be quite challenging and EV is currently not a viable option for many. We play a key role in supporting these customers on their own sustainability journeys and ensuring we bring alternative fuels to the market.
What new trends are emerging in your industry?
Digital Transformation and AI is going to bring many enhancements to retail store operations. At Circle K we have used AI to transform recruitment, onboarding, and training across all of our European stores and were recently awarded the 2025 NACS Convenience Retail Technology Award Europe. I am excited to see how we can further bring AI into operations and stock management to free up more time for our store teams to spend with customers.
While it’s not a new trend, ESG continues to be more important for customers. Many want to make more sustainable choices from how they travel, what they eat, and brands they interact with and buy from. We place a big emphasis on this in Circle K and believe it gives us a strategic advantage. We have heavily invested in EV infrastructure and will continue to do so into the future, we are the largest provider of HVO100 renewable fuel in the market, and we are the first forecourt and convenience retailer in Ireland to power all our operations with 100% Irish renewable energy. Earlier this year we were recognised with the Guaranteed Irish that reflects our deep commitment to Ireland, not just in terms of business operations, but in how we invest in jobs, communities, and the country’s long-term economic growth.
Are there any major changes you would like to see in your sector?
Circle K want to be a significant part of the energy transition in Ireland. To make this happen in a really meaningful and impactful way, I would welcome greater collaboration and a more streamlined approach to planning and access to the grid. EV will play a big part in the energy transition for B2C customers in Ireland.
We have invested significantly in EV and will continue to do so, but in many locations across the country getting access to the grid is a very lengthy process. We have too many locations where the charges are in and ready for customers, but we are waiting on the energy! This would be a very welcome change not only for the industry but also for customers who want to play their part in reducing their carbon footprint.
As an employer, are you finding any skill gaps in the market?
I do not see any significant skill gaps in the market for the needs of the Circle K business. Circle K is part of a wider global organisation and there is a large talent pool to tap into for specialised skills. Locally in Ireland the retail landscape is competitive. It is a fast-paced environment and there is a lot of demand for retail team members. It is relatively easy for people to switch between companies and sectors in the industry, so we place a big emphasis in people in our business. We want them to feel they can be themselves at work and that they feel respected and safe and in their workplace. We support the development of our teams and have many examples of people who have progressed within the business.
How do you define success and what drives you to succeed?
Personal success for me is feeling that I am making a positive impact. I have a real sense of responsibility in all aspects of my life and that is what drives me. In work, knowing I am doing the right thing and making a difference to people who work in Circle K, is success for me.
Success in business has many facets. Building and maintaining trust with our customers and suppliers is key. A positive customer experience each and every time you visit our stores or interact with our sales teams is so important to me. Without customers there is no business. Success is shared in Circle K. I never take for granted the people that I have the privilege to work with and lead every day. The people that work in Circle K are the key to our success.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given in business?
Everything is temporary and don’t sweat the small stuff!
What advice would you give to others starting out in business?
Be yourself and stay true to your personal values. Invest yourself in the roles and the businesses you work, work hard and be open minded. Help fix problems, be positive, take ownership and always take up opportunities that come your way. You never know where they will take you and I am testament to that!
Where do you want your business/brand to be this time next year?
12 months is a short time in business, and our expectation is to maintain a similar market leading position as we have today. We will continue our focus on excellent customer service, great in-store standards, and leading the industry in product and service innovation.
We will continue to invest and grow the business to ensure we are the first choice for the mobility and convenience customer, both today and into the future.
I want the brand to continue be recognised as industry leaders in sustainability, DE&I, and to continue investing in inclusive recruitment programs in the communities we support.
What is your favourite hobby and why?
Outside of work I enjoy spending my time with family and friends. I am mum to two amazing kids who keep me busy! I enjoy cooking and love entertaining at home or going out for dinner with friends.
What is your mantra for life?
Always ask. The worst that can happen is someone says no!
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