By Héloïse Chaudot 
Declan Ryan is the Founder and CEO of Project Foundry, a leading strategy to execution consultancy that helps leaders bridge the gap between ambition and delivery. Founded in 2014, Project Foundry specialises in AI-enabled enterprise execution, transforming goals into measurable outcomes.
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
My focus comes down to three priorities: our clients, our products, and the execution of our strategy. Over the next three years, we’ve set a clear roadmap to ensure we build solutions that meet the moment and enable organisations to execute on their strategy. Ultimately, it’s about adding measurable value to every conversation that I have with business and technology leaders.
What are your biggest challenges as CEO?
My biggest challenge as CEO is getting both the value and the values right. Value means we continue to deliver great results for our clients, existing and new, while getting the balance between sustainable growth & disciplined execution right.
Values mean continuing to protect the culture we’ve built as we scale.
How do you keep your team/staff motivated?
Culture is our priority. We empower our leaders with autonomy while holding each other to the highest standards. When we give the right people the freedom to solve complex problems, motivation takes care of itself.
What are the challenges facing the industry going forward?
Over 70% of digital transformations fail. The core issue is the gap between strategy and execution. AI has amplified this, rather than shrunk it, challenging leaders to move from AI ambition into practical execution without introducing unacceptable risk.
What new trends are emerging in your industry?
The obvious trend that everyone is talking about is the accelerating shift towards AI-enabled enterprise. However, it’s no longer about acquiring more tools. It’s about improved control, stronger governance, and seamless workflow and AI orchestration that gives leaders genuine confidence.
Are there any major changes you would like to see in your sector?
We need to see an end to transactional consulting. As an economy, we’re not ready for what greater AI adoption may bring over the next 3-5 years given the accelerating pace of change.
The answer to this challenge is six-year partnerships, not six-month projects. We should be transforming with clients, not doing transformation to them.
As an employer, are you finding any skill gaps in the market?
Common sense, with real problem-solving ability, is rare. We need people who can sit across from a senior business technology leader and add quantifiable value.
How do you define success, and what drives you to succeed?
A satisfied client because, ultimately, our clients define our success. We always create a win-win by understanding what matters to the client and what “good” looks like in their world. This ensures we know what we’re aiming for each time.
We never stop improving because we know there is always a better way.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given in business?
It’s never about you. Focus relentlessly on the client’s success. Trust is earned through integrity, hard work, and consistently delivering on what you promise.
What advice would you give to others starting in business?
Don’t be afraid – to start, to admit when you’re wrong, to learn fast and to keep going. It can be a slog sometimes.
As you grow, focus on putting the right people in the right seats, get the best team you can around you and build accountability into your culture from day one.
Find your niche where you can deliver unparalleled value and own it. This applies to both you and the business. What is it that you do that no one else can? (It’s not the accounts). After that, just try to keep putting another brick on the wall.
What have been your highlights in business over the past year?
Launching our AI-native Atlas Platform. I’ve really enjoyed helping our clients to transform their Project Management Offices and accelerate the delivery of meaningful change across their organisations.
Our strategic partnership with ServiceNow has also been transformative, proving we can handle the complexity that others walk away from.
What’s next for your company?
Major growth with big plans over the next three years. That means delivering greater value for our existing clients, deepening our strategic partnerships and embedding AI into our client execution and operations.
Where do you want your business/brand to be this time next year?
Our AI platform and ServiceNow business transformation capability established as the go-to choice across every sector we serve.
What is the best book you’ve ever read (non-business) and why?
Roy Keane’s autobiography. It taught me how to make the most of what skill/ability you’ve got… conscious I’ve just alienated a huge portion of my client base who are Liverpool fans!
What is your favourite hobby and why?
Sports, sports and more sports! Football, Rugby, Golf, GAA – you name it!
What is your mantra for life?
Help people with humility and dedication.
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