By Business & Finance 
As CEO and President of Aramark’s operations in Ireland, Tom Neville leads the strategic and operational leadership of all food and facilities management services. He focuses on delivering profitable growth, excellence, and innovation.
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
At Aramark Ireland, our priorities centre around delivering outstanding hospitality and service, driven by great people and meaningful partnerships. As CEO, my focus is on building strong, lasting client relationships and ensuring our teams are empowered to deliver exceptional quality every day.
We’re committed to growing our business by investing in our people, nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit, and embracing change where it helps us improve. Driving a culture of accountability is key, one where innovation, service excellence, and customer experience go hand in hand. We’re also focused on making a positive impact on the planet and ensuring our teams feel supported, valued, and inspired to grow.
What are your biggest challenges as a business leader?
Our industry is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of that change is a key challenge. The evolution of technology and AI plays a major role in how we develop, and taking a strategic approach to technology is central to driving innovation.
The service industry is people-based, and attracting and retaining talent is a core goal. Developing talent pipelines and getting succession planning right are vital to our company’s continued success.
The industry continues to face significant inflation pressures, and we need to be careful how we manage inflation, as consumers and businesses are feeling the impact on disposable income.
Above all, we must remain agile, responsive, and committed to delivering excellence in every interaction is a constant priority.
What have been your highlights in business over the past year?
I am privileged to lead a business that covers many services from hospitality and retail to facilities management and property. Across all of these areas, winning new business and retaining existing partnerships is always worth celebrating.
Some standout moments include the energy and thrill of match day in Croke Park and Thomond Park, and the highs of the Oasis concerts at Croke Park. The Irish Open at the K Club showcased the scale of our operations and the quality of service we deliver nationwide.
On a day-to-day basis, I get to see people enjoying themselves as they experience our hospitality, and seeing a smile on someone’s face as they enjoy their time with us is what makes this industry so vibrant and rewarding.
We’ve also deepened our investment in our people, from nurturing emerging professionals to supporting career progression, while continuing to enhance the overall employee experience.
Our sustainability agenda is delivering real impact, with initiatives cutting food waste and improving resource efficiency. A particular highlight has been the launch of our new MenuMap tool, which is changing behaviour, with 69% of customers now more calorie-aware, 39% more conscious of carbon impact, and 79% of chefs reformulating menus to deliver healthier, lower-carbon dishes.
Taken together, these achievements strengthen our position for the future, as we continue to grow, innovate and deliver for our clients and communities across Ireland.
Where do you want your business or brand to be this time next year?
Looking ahead, we’re focused on growth. Growing our business, developing our people, and growing our impact. That means building on strong momentum across the sectors we serve, from corporate dining and manufacturing to healthcare, education and major events, while anticipating client needs and providing solutions that add real value.
Developing our people remains central to our strategy. We want to be recognised as an employer of choice, nurturing emerging talent, supporting career progression and ensuring our teams have the skills and opportunities to thrive.
Sustainability is also a priority. We are building on initiatives like MenuMap, which is already reshaping consumer behaviour, while driving improvements that cut waste and improve efficiency across our sites.
We are also strengthening our partnerships with local suppliers. By working closely with Irish producers to bring fresh, high-quality food and products to our menus and services, and through our annual suppliers showcase in Croke Park, we create opportunities to do business, form partnerships and deepen collaboration with the suppliers who are critical to our success.
What new trends are emerging in your industry?
Technology and AI are transforming how we deliver experiences, from digital ordering to data-driven insights that enhance service and efficiency. We’re embracing these tools to meet changing customer expectations and improve operational performance.
At the same time, sustainability and local sourcing are becoming even more important. Customers want transparency, ethical practices, and a clear commitment to environmental responsibility. In response, we’re launching initiatives like Kitchen Energy Clinics to cut energy use, Sustainability Champions to embed change on the ground, and projects such as Planet Power and Choose to Reuse to deliver healthier menus and advance circular practices. Our goal is to stay ahead of these trends and set the standard for responsible business.
What are the challenges facing the industry going forward?
The road ahead will bring continued economic pressures, particularly around inflation and operational costs. We need to plan carefully for the future and ensure we retain our competitiveness, not just as a company but also as a country. Attracting people to our industry is something we are very conscious of, given the many opportunities people have to grow their careers in other sectors.
We also need to stay ahead of evolving sustainability regulations and ESG expectations. As a country, it’s important that we remain mindful of how we position ourselves in the international market, maintaining competitiveness while protecting Ireland’s reputation as a world-class destination. For us, that means caring for our people, our planet, and our country, and doing so with purpose and pride.
Are there any major changes you’d like to see in your sector?
One area I’d particularly like to see evolve is public perception of careers in hospitality. Our industry offers incredible opportunities for career advancement, personal development, and innovation, yet this message doesn’t always reach potential talent effectively. Collectively, we could do more to communicate success stories, highlight the rich opportunities available, and encourage hospitality careers as a desirable long-term choice.
As an employer, are you finding any skill gaps in the market?
Yes, skill gaps remain particularly pronounced in areas like culinary innovation, digital expertise, and sustainability management. Post-COVID, we’ve seen a welcome stabilisation in the market and a renewed interest from talented individuals; however, attracting and retaining remarkable leaders continues to be a priority.
To address these gaps, we’ve increased our investment in structured training initiatives and built strong partnerships with educational institutions. We recently launched Elevate, Aramark’s in-house culinary training programme, which offers hands-on experience and structured mentorship to young talent. Through our internal programmes, we’re creating clear career pathways that not only bridge existing gaps but also help us attract new talent and support the growth of our people.
How do you keep your team motivated?
Employee motivation is at the heart of our culture. We believe in open communication, continuous development, and creating opportunities within a growing company. Our teams are encouraged to innovate, collaborate, and take ownership of their growth.
We invest in structured training, apprenticeships, and vocational experiences, and we celebrate success at every level. Whether it’s recognising outstanding performance or providing clear progression paths, we make sure our people feel valued, supported, and inspired. We also run initiatives like our Take15 campaign, encouraging colleagues to prioritise wellbeing, and ABC Day, which gives employees the chance to volunteer and support their local communities.
We’re using technology in smart ways to simplify processes and enhance communication, helping teams stay engaged and focused on what they do best.
What is the best advice you have been given, or would give, in business?
The best advice I’ve received, and would pass on, is to never be complacent. Stay curious, stay relevant, and always look for ways to improve. Great businesses thrive when they listen to their customers, empower their people, and adapt with purpose.
Continuous improvement is essential, enhancing the customer experience, raising service standards, and fostering innovation. Authenticity, responsiveness, and a willingness to evolve are what drive long-term success.
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