By Héloïse Chaudot 
Tom Rowan is the Managing Director of Rowan, a forensic engineering and environmental consultancy that he founded in 1998. With offices in Trim, Co. Meath, and Oranmore, Co. Galway, Rowan provides two specialist services: environmental consultancy and forensic engineering.
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
My priorities are to future-proof the business, attract and retain exceptional people, develop trusting relationships with our clients, and consistently deliver an excellent service.
What are your biggest challenges as CEO?
It’s to make sure the market knows who we are, what we do and the value we bring to their business. We have significant expertise across several sectors and the capability of getting things done fast, but we’re probably better known by our clients than by the wider market.
How do you keep your team/staff motivated?
We hire people who embody our culture of ‘excellence with a sense of humour’. Our leadership team fosters this by supporting their development and encouraging people to challenge themselves. As an Engineers Ireland-accredited employer, continuous learning is very important to us. We also enjoy each other’s company and throw a few great parties every year.
What are the challenges facing the industry going forward?
Delivering the infrastructure needed for a sustainable future while maintaining public support. Most people support renewable energy in principle; the challenge is ensuring they support it when projects are proposed close to home.
What new trends are emerging in your industry?
We must embrace AI and integrate it into our industry to improve efficiency and decision-making while maintaining our integrity, humanity and the expertise our clients rely on.
Are there any major changes you would like to see in your sector?
I’d love to see society fully embrace renewable energy, even when it is located in their own backyard. I look at wind turbines and solar panels as modern architecture and sculptures.
As an employer, are you finding any skill gaps in the market?
It is difficult to source experienced forensic engineers and expert witnesses. If you are an experienced, expert engineer with good communication skills and the confidence to remain calm and composed in court, please call me!
How did your strategy develop in the context of the banking crisis and economic crisis?
My friend and I joke that we were very lucky we hadn’t made any money to lose when the crash happened. Rowan was fortunate that our main clients at that time were the food & drink and insurance industries, which remained strong through the crash. Our only strategy was to work hard, so we didn’t have to change anything.
How do you define success, and what drives you to succeed?
Personally, I have a fantastic wife, three healthy and slightly wild sons (like their mother) and a great group of family and friends, so I couldn’t want for more. Professionally, I’m driven by the desire to build something great, mind our people and clients, and leave a positive impact without being a tyrant. A healthy fear of failure helps, too.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given in business?
My first mentor and boss, Frank Mallon, once asked me to design a building with specific requirements. I went to him and said we couldn’t do it that way. He informed me, “I didn’t ask you if we could do it; I asked you to tell me how to do it.” A week later, I designed the building as he wanted it and learned a valuable lesson about having the right mindset. As Henry Ford said: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t – you’re right.”
What advice would you give to others starting in business?
It’s a rollercoaster. Believe in yourself, surround yourself with good people, be resilient, embrace the madness and enjoy the ride.
What have been your highlights in business over the past year?
We have built an exceptional team with recognised expertise in environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental planning for renewable energy projects, including wind farms, solar farms and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
What’s next for your company?
Our objective is to continue growing the business and developing our people while protecting our culture. We are targeting growth where we have significant expertise, such as the renewable energy, food & drink, environmental due diligence, and environmental insurance claim sectors.
Where do you want your business/brand to be this time next year?
I want everyone to know who we are, what we do, and the value that we bring. Most importantly, I want Rowan to be known for delivering excellent projects and being a pleasure to work with.
What is the best book you’ve ever read (non-business) and why?
I love reading and can’t choose between three books: The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Browne is a story of history, adversity and sporting achievement. The Power of Geography by Tim Marshall and The Making of the Modern Middle East by Jeremy Bowen explain why the world is in its current turmoil.
What is your favourite hobby and why?
Playing five-aside soccer or having a few drinks with friends. Both hobbies make me feel young while I’m doing them, although my recovery time suggests otherwise.
What is your mantra for life?
I drive everyone in my office mad by repeating two phrases: “Deliver excellent work with a sense of humour” and “Get S**t Done”. If we can achieve these two mantras, we’ll do OK.
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