My Business Life: Paul O’Shea, Ashview

Paul O’Shea, founder and CEO of Ashview Consultants, shares his life and business lessons.

Paul O’Shea is founder and CEO of Ashview Consultants, one of Ireland’s leading business risk management consultancies.

Ashview Consultants is one of Ireland’s leading business risk management consultancies.

With offices in Dublin, Newry and London, Ashview Consultants works with clients across the world to optimise their performance by identifying, assessing and mitigating risks that could impact their business operations or their workplace health and safety standards.

Client sectors include construction, aviation, transport, commercial, pharmaceutical, hospitality, retail, residential, logistics, renewable energy, data centres and student accommodation.

Established 20 years ago, Ashview Consultants’ team of 30 professionals combine deep sectoral expertise with innovative technology to provide practical and proactive solutions that will enhance operational, financial, business, compliance, end-user and health and safety processes and systems or address industry-specific challenges.

Tell us about your background, what journey did you take to arrive at where you are?

After finishing college, I left Ireland in the early to mid-1990s – just like many other young people at the time. My journey took me to several places, including London, St Helier in Jersey, Boston, and eventually Sydney, Australia. Along the way, I built a career in the construction industry, gaining lots of experience on some truly fantastic projects.

In early 2005, I made the decision to return to Ireland. The Celtic Tiger was in full roar, and the country was brimming with opportunity. After working with G&T Crampton, an Irish property development and construction company, and gaining further insight into the industry, I saw an opening to start my own business – Ashview Consultants.

Just as I got everything up and running, the global recession hit. It was the most severe economic downturn Ireland had faced in decades. But I kept going. I focused on the work, adapted to the challenges, and built the business from the ground up. Today, we are a team of 30 professionals and have offices in Dublin, Newry and London, working with clients all over the world. Our client sectors include construction, aviation, transport, commercial, pharmaceutical, hospitality, retail, residential, logistics, renewable energy, data centres and student accommodation.

Why are you doing what you are doing? What need are you meeting? What’s your USP?

We are always moving forward. What started as a traditional health and safety company, offering basic services to clients, has grown into a leading force in business risk management. Today, Ashview Consultants supports global businesses as they grow and scale across the UK, Europe and further afield.

In a world that has become increasingly risk-averse, we provide expert guidance to support ongoing, proactive business risk management, helping organisations meet compliance demands while continuing to grow and expand. Our approach is grounded in deep experience across construction and the business risk management sector combined with a tailored, client-focused mindset that supports projects from concept to completion and beyond.

What sets us apart is our ability to offer industry-specific insight, deliver practical and effective business risk solutions, and remain agile and innovative in how we work. We’re not just here to advise, we’re here to partner with our clients, helping them navigate uncertainty, build safer operations, and succeed in a complex and rapidly evolving world.

How did you fund and start the business and what are your growth plans?

The business has been entirely self-funded, and since launching in 2006, we’ve grown organically. That growth has come through consistent investment in our people, our systems and processes, and the tools and equipment needed to deliver at the highest level.

As for what’s next? Let’s just say we’re working on some exciting developments across the business. We’ve built our own software, we’re expanding into global markets, and we’re continuously upskilling our team. There’s plenty happening behind the scenes.

I’m really delighted that Ashview Consultants is entering the global stage faster than we anticipated, and that progress is entirely thanks to the dedication and drive of our incredible team. Their commitment to pushing forward is what keeps us growing and evolving.

What are your key skills and qualities that set you apart?

What sets us apart is a combination of deep industry knowledge and our ability to deliver tailored business risk solutions that truly reflect the needs of our clients. We understand the specific challenges of business risk management, and we deliver tailored solutions that are both practical and scalable. Our strength lies in operational excellence, ensuring that our clients not only meet compliance requirements but do so in a way that supports long-term growth and resilience. We’re also committed to innovation and sustainability, always looking for smarter, more future-focused ways to deliver our services.

That’s why we partnered with Safe365, a digital health and safety platform that helps businesses assess, manage, and continuously improve their health and safety performance. We are the exclusive Irish operator of this tool which provides real-time data and insights to support better decision-making. Safe365 is trusted by major organisations including Amazon, Heathrow Airport, Birmingham Airport, and the City of London, demonstrating the calibre and reliability of the system we offer our clients.

But it’s not just about what we do, it’s how we do it. We’ve built a culture that values and supports our people. We invest in our team, not just through training and development, but by creating a working environment that recognises the importance of balance and wellbeing. Our wellbeing programme, including a dedicated committee, helps ensure our staff feel supported. One standout initiative is our 9-day fortnight, giving everyone a long weekend every second week. It’s this mix of high standards, deep expertise, and a strong, people-first culture that truly sets Ashview Consultants apart.

What (or whom) has helped you most along the way? Who was your greatest mentor/inspiration?

I know it might sound like a cliché, but I was raised by hardworking parents who started with very little. They instilled a strong work ethic in me and the belief that if you want something, you have to go out and get it – because it won’t just land on your doorstep. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my life.

I’ve also been fortunate enough to work with some incredible people over the years, from the Channel Islands to Sydney, which has shaped my thinking and approach to business. On top of that, I’ve always had a close circle of friends who’ve been honest, supportive, and great at pointing me in the right direction when I’ve needed it.

And I have to say, my wife has been a constant source of support. She’s an excellent sounding board and, more often than not, she knows exactly what’s best.

What was the greatest piece of business advice you ever received?

To be honest, I’ve had the privilege of working with some great people over the years, far too many to mention. But one piece of advice has always stuck with me, shared by a businessman I met in Sydney. He said, “Once you have the idea, the energy, and the determination to do something – what’s stopping you?” It was simple, but it really resonated. Sometimes the only thing standing in your way is yourself.

What circumstances/qualities/events can mark the difference between success or failure in life or business?

You need to be resilient. These days, there’s a lot of talk and a lot of coaching around resilience, but in truth, it’s something you earn and learn through experience.

You’ve got to get out there, take risks, make mistakes, get knocked back, lose money, and learn how to come back from it. That’s when you’re really living it. The world isn’t perfect, and neither is business, but it’s in those tough, uncertain moments that the real opportunities often appear. When you can spot potential in the middle of a setback, that’s when you know you’re truly in the game. For me, the fear of failure has always been a powerful driver, it fuels the desire to succeed.

What was the most challenging aspect of either starting or growing the business?

Where do I start with this one? One of the biggest challenges in starting any business is funding. Do you have enough capital to get going, offer credit terms, and still manage your cash flow while waiting to get paid? Many businesses underestimate this, and it’s often the reason they don’t survive those crucial early stages.

Scaling the business brings its own set of challenges. It’s not just about managing direct costs, there are plenty of indirect expenses that can catch you off guard, such as office space, equipment, and the additional resources needed to support growth. And, of course, attracting and retaining good people is always a challenge.

In fact, talent acquisition and retention is a major issue for businesses today. I know this firsthand because, as a business risk management company, it’s one of the key operational risks we identify daily when working with clients. Without people, there are no businesses. That’s why we help our clients look ahead and implement strategies to attract and keep their best team members. By safeguarding their workforce, they position themselves for sustainable, long-term growth.

As a business grows, so does its complexity. But if you stay focused, manage the business risks effectively, and build the right team around you, overcoming these challenges becomes much more achievable.

How did you navigate your business through the pandemic and what lessons did you learn?

The pandemic was truly transformational for the business. It gave us the chance to step back and reassess everything – how we work, the methods we use, what wasn’t working, what really matters, and what the future workplace should look like.

We ran trials of a four-day working week, exploring different options and gathering feedback from the team to understand what worked best. We also examined remote working, reflecting on how it had to function during the pandemic and how it might evolve going forward.

On the technology front, we made a significant investment to become fully paperless and looked for ways to streamline our operations for greater efficiency.

The biggest lesson we learned was never to waste an opportunity to learn from challenging situations. It’s often these adverse moments that deliver the greatest long-term benefits.

How has digital transformation been a factor in your scaling journey and do you believe Irish firms are utilising digital technologies sufficiently?

Yes, we have embraced a number of technological improvements that have transformed how we do business, including a full CRM platform and a construction management system. Additionally, we’ve developed our own bespoke software for business risk management, which gives us real-time data across all our projects.

In today’s world, business risk management needs to be forward-thinking and data-driven, using technology not just to react but to anticipate and mitigate risks before they arise. Unfortunately, far too many Irish companies have yet to make this leap, and that hesitation could hold back their growth potential. Technology isn’t just a tool, it’s essential for sustainable progress and competitive advantage.

If you were to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

If I could go back to when I was 21 or 22, I’d say I had several opportunities to get involved in different business ventures. But I chose to travel and learn instead, so it’s hard to say what was right or wrong, only that I am where I am now because of those choices.

I actually started a business in Australia, which I eventually sold to my business partner when I left. It’s grown into quite the operation since then. Sometimes I wonder if I should have stayed longer to see it develop, but I didn’t want to settle in Australia. It’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg scenario.

Now, looking at my own kids and advising them on which businesses to pursue, I’m excited about the future. I truly believe we need to invest time and energy in nurturing future leaders. They won’t all come from college degrees or private schools, they’re already around us, and with the right guidance, the magic will happen.

Who inspires you in business today?

What inspires me most in business today is people. I love seeing our placements come through the system and flourish, and we’ve seen incredible stories of progression, like a one of our Junior Administrator’s now training to become a Health and Safety Advisor. That’s the Ashview way: when someone shows initiative, we match it with opportunity.

Watching individuals succeed and progress in life is incredibly motivating, hard work truly never killed anyone and seeing the next generation step up gives me great hope. At Ashview Consultants, we have some truly fantastic talent, and I believe many of them are the future leaders who will shape not just our company but the wider industry.

What advice/guidance do you give new hires and how do you nurture talent in your organisation?

We have a fantastic graduate programme that’s jam packed with opportunities for learning and growth. Our advice to new hires is simple: jump in and learn from the wealth of expertise we have here at Ashview Consultants. We believe every day is a school day, and if you’re constantly learning, then you’re winning. Supporting and nurturing talent is at the core of what we do, and we’re committed to helping our people develop their skills and thrive.

What business books do you read or would recommend?

There are so many great business books out there but some of my personal recommendations  include The Inner CEO by Shane Cradock, Good to Great by Jim Collins, and Atomic Habits by James Clear. Each of these offers unique insights into leadership, building successful organisations, and developing effective habits that drive long-term success.

What technologies/tools do you use personally to keep you on track?

Personally, I don’t rely on any specific technologies or tools to keep me on track. I prefer to plan out my weeks in advance, dedicating specific days to particular activities. This structured approach helps me stay focused and ensures that everything gets completed efficiently.

What social media platforms do you prefer and why?

I’m not overly into social media, I really like using LinkedIn for making connections, I was one of the early adopters of the platform and it has become my go-to for professional communication and collaboration.

What are your thoughts on where technology overall is heading and how it will apply to business generally and your business particularly?

I think many businesses today are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data available to them. In many cases, they’re collecting or exchanging more information than they can realistically use, and often struggle to separate what’s truly essential from what’s simply “nice to have.” That’s where we come in, particularly through our work with Safe365, which is a powerful tool designed to distil and focus data in a proactive and meaningful way.

At Ashview Consultants, we concentrate on identifying the data that truly matters. using it to drive smarter, more informed decisions. For us, it’s not about having more data, it’s about having the right data and applying it in a way that improves performance, enhances risk management, and supports long-term, sustainable growth.

As technology continues to evolve, we believe the real advantage will lie in clarity and focus. leveraging tools that simplify complexity and help businesses remain agile in an increasingly fast-paced world.

Finally, if you had advice for your 21-year-old self – knowing what you know now – what would it be?

I’m a great believer in truly living life. If I were advising my 21-year-old self, I’d say, go ahead and start that business, make it work, and don’t stress over the small stuff. Businesses will come and go; it won’t be the first or the last you’ll be involved in. The key is to take the risk earlier, because that’s where the real learning happens. That’s what real experience is, the successes and the setbacks that shape you into a stronger, wiser businessperson over time.

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