My Business Life: Youenn Lowry, SE Systems

Youenn Lowry, managing director of SE Systems, shares his life and business lessons.

Youenn Lowry is the managing director and co-founder of SE Systems, a leading provider of energy-efficiency solutions in Ireland. Starting his career as a carpenter at just 15, Youenn has built nearly three decades of experience in the energy and construction sectors, working on diverse and technically challenging projects.

He holds a postgraduate qualification in Personal and Management Coaching from University College Cork, which underpins his commitment to leadership development and team effectiveness.

Since taking the helm at SE Systems in 2012, Youenn has driven the company’s growth in the rapidly evolving energy-efficiency market. Under his leadership, SE Systems has delivered over €900 million worth of energy projects, retrofitting thousands of homes and commercial buildings nationwide, and achieving significant reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions. His focus on continuous improvement and change management ensures SE Systems remains at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions.

Tell us about your background. What journey did you take to arrive at where you are?

I’ve always wanted to work in a trade, so at 15 I left school to start a carpentry apprenticeship, even though that wasn’t encouraged at the time. Health issues at 23 meant I couldn’t work on sites anymore, yet thanks to an incredible employer and mentor, I moved into contracts management, carrying out high-end commercial fit-outs – learning pricing, team management, and business operations in a fast-paced environment.

Our SE Systems journey started in 2010 when Ireland was deep in recession. I had planned to move to Canada, but a conversation with a client I had been working with for many years sparked the idea of us retrofitting homes while creating training and employment through community partnerships. We decided to take a risk and set up in business together. At that time, the energy efficiency industry in Ireland was in its infancy. What started as two of us has grown to support over 100 employees and 300 specialist subcontractors and sole traders nationwide.

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

We are driven by a vision to be Ireland’s guiding light in energy efficiency, helping businesses, communities, and homes thrive through greener energy practices.

Many Irish people want to act on climate change, but cost, confusion, and lack of guidance hold them back. SE Systems empowers homeowners, businesses, and communities with the knowledge, tools, and support to make energy-saving choices, reduce costs, improve comfort, and create lasting sustainable impact.

Our one-stop-shop service offering sets us apart. From energy consultancy and funding to design, installation, and verification, we guide clients through every step of the process. We help clients achieve energy efficiency and decarbonisation goals while accelerating Ireland’s clean energy transition.

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

At the start, there was no access to credit from financial institutions or suppliers, so it was week to week, hoping that one job delivered well would secure the next.

We ensured our staff and subcontractors were always paid well and, more importantly, always on time. That built trust and confidence. In 2017, we opened an office in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

We also have several regional hubs across Donegal, Kerry, Clare, Louth, and Limerick.

In 2025, we expanded our Cork headquarters, moving into modern, A-rated offices that reflect our growth and ambition. Our growth plans focus on continuing to innovate and remain at the forefront of the energy efficiency industry. The foundation of a talented team and strong client partnerships positions us to continue scaling successfully and support Ireland’s climate action goals.

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

Trust and respect are our core values. In my experience, the success in my life and in our business is directly attributed to staying true to these values. I’m a good multitasker, I work well under pressure, and I’m comfortable taking calculated risks after considering varying perspectives and potential outcomes.

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

Having the support of family who believe in you is number one for me. My business partner, John O’Leary, is a visionary and thinks very differently from me, but our differing skillsets and mindsets complement each other, and it works well in business.

I undertook a Master’s in personal and management coaching in UCC in 2022. This fulfilled a personal and professional ambition of mine; I learned so much about myself, leadership, and team dynamics.

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

Putting a value on yourself and being clear about what value you in turn offer to others can set you apart.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable, learn to step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself and don’t be afraid to take calculated risks.

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

Taking time out to reflect and take stock, consider what serves you well, and figure out how you may be able to do things differently is essential.

Recognising that mistakes will happen, but the learnings you and your team get from them are invaluable. Experiencing setbacks can certainly make you stronger and more resilient.

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

Trying to develop a continual flow of work while managing cash flow and growing the business during a recession presented many challenges. We found ourselves needing to cover so many bases – sales, finance, site operations, logistics, and admin.

We knew that working seven days a week was not sustainable over the long term.

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

The biggest business risk we ever took came during the Covid-19 pandemic. Overnight, our income disappeared and we were forced to shut down operations. Instead of treating it as a setback, we used the shutdown to redefine the business and restructure how we operated.

During this period, we even considered an offer to sell. But we believed we still had much more potential to realise, and choosing not to sell pushed us to think differently about growth. Historically, we had only reinvested from cash reserves; now we have developed a plan to scale using finance.

With support from Bank of Ireland, and a willingness to take personal risk, we set out to double the business in five years and achieved it in less than three. The pandemic tested every part of the business, but it ultimately pushed us to innovate, take bolder risks and build a more resilient, agile organisation. Those lessons continue to guide how we operate today.

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

Digital transformation has been central to our growth. Cloud-based platforms connect our teams, providing real-time data and the ability for us to plan, manage finances, operations and to make smarter business decisions.

We are currently developing a bespoke CRM system that supports our goal of having a vertically integrated and fully consolidated energy services offering that provides the best possible outcomes for our clients and the communities we work with.

We are also exploring how AI-driven energy monitoring can optimise business operations.

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

I wouldn’t trade the lessons learned, the experience gained or the relationships I have made by doing things differently.

Who inspires you in business today?

Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” message speaks to the people who step forward, take risks, and give their best – even if they fall short along the way.

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

Our goal is simple: we try to create an environment where people feel supported, confident, and able to do their best work. We would encourage new hires to stay curious, ask questions, and not be afraid to share their ideas. New team members are paired with experienced colleagues, and we offer ongoing training and chances to learn on innovative projects. When someone shows potential, we give them opportunities to take on more responsibility and develop their skills.

What business books do you read or would recommend?

Sir John Whitmore Coaching for Performance, and Brené Brown Dare to Lead.

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

I’m old school, I would be lost without an A4 page a day diary!

What social media platforms do you prefer and why?

LinkedIn for thought leadership and professional insights, Instagram for really dynamic content creation, and it’s a bit more fun too, but can be addictive!

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

For SE Systems, AI and smart technology support our work in intelligent energy monitoring and connecting homes, businesses, and communities more effectively. But even with rapid technology advances, people and their creativity remain key. Our future is a combination of smart tech and smart people working together.

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

Listen to your body and mind your mind … burnout isn’t a badge of honour; rest and recovery are non-negotiables.

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