Cork 2023:ORS and Cork are a natural fit
Taking great pride in developing long-lasting relationships, both with its staff and its clients, ORS continues its successful journey of fostering such relationships with Cork
The third biggest city on the island of Ireland is on the cusp of a decades-long transformation that will see its population double within the next two decades.
With plans for a metropolitan light rail system, significant investment in the city's docklands, and the establishment of the city as a renewable energy hub, Cork is on an upward trajectory.
It's no wonder that ORS, the Mullingar-based multidisciplinary building consultancy that puts culture and innovation at the heart of its mission to build a more sustainable future has chosen Cork city as the next location for its expansion. ORS is also on an upward trajectory, and opening an outpost in Cork is a natural step for its growth.
The recently-opened ORS Cork office, located at Iconic Offices in Navigation Square, positions ORS with a strong presence in the heart of the city. This prime location is just minutes from two of the city's three major transport hubs.
Similar to Cork, ORS has very ambitious growth plans following investment from Irish Private Equity firm, Erisbeg, in late 2022.
Over the past decade, the company has experienced a consistent annual growth rate of 20%, aiming to increase its revenue to over €50 million by 2026. ORS is focused on attracting new clients while strengthening relationships with its existing client base. With the addition of the Cork office, ORS has offices in Dublin, Galway, Donegal, and its headquarters in Westmeath.
For John Brennan, the entrepreneurial managing director of ORS since 2015, success starts with establishing the right work culture within the company. Well before the Covid pandemic drastically changed the way we work, Brennan with the support of the ORS senior leadership team, had already implemented a flexible work culture at ORS.
Brennan, who joined ORS in 2004, had the fortunate opportunity to study flexible work patterns while completing an MBA prior to the pandemic. He applied those lessons by introducing trial programs with the company's workforce of 90 employees, granting them the flexibility to work in ways that suited them best.
"Back in 2016/2017, we recognised that attracting top-quality talent would be one of the major challenges we would face. So, we set a target to become one of the best workplaces in our sector," Brennan said.
Arguably, they have achieved this goal – and some – as the company has consistently been recognised as one of Ireland's Best Workplaces for several years, alongside heavyweights such as Fáilte Ireland, Cisco, and Squarespace. Brennan said that ORS is committed to building a thriving work culture and that they are not afraid to take unorthodox steps to do so.
For instance, they have implemented a flexible working policy in which staff members have the autonomy to decide when they need to be in the office, on-site, or working from home. Brennan described it as less of a policy and more of an article of faith: he trusts the staff to determine when and where they need to be without mandating specific office days.
"Trust is the foundation stone, and supporting that is our approach to hybrid work," Brennan explained, emphasising that instead of strict policies, they have established charters and recommendations.
"If you trust your people and empower them to manage their own day, they will reciprocate," Brennan concluded.
That said, Brennan said that working arrangements at ORS are continuously fine-tuned based on staff surveys and feedback received from across the organisation.
"Ultimately, we aim to strengthen our hybrid working arrangement even further, as it contributes to what sets ORS apart," he explained.
"We firmly believe that our success in attracting and retaining exceptional talent lies in our commitment to hybrid working, granting employees the autonomy they deserve, and offering flexible work options.“
“These factors have become the cornerstone of our talent strategy, unlocking the full potential of our workforce while creating a culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and work-life balance," added Rachel Murray, H#head of Employee Experience at ORS.
Another notable aspect where ORS distinguishes itself is its multidisciplinary approach. As Brennan highlights, the firm provides clients with a comprehensive range of services, including Civil and Structural Engineering, Project Management, Infrastructure, Health and Safety Management, Building Surveying, Assigned Certifier, Fire Safety, Energy Management, and Environmental Management.
The diversity and range of services, along with the work culture at ORS, are crucial for attracting businesses and achieving long-term success. As Brennan said, “if you can’t compete differently in business, you won’t compete sustainably in the long term.”
For ORS, choosing to locate at Iconic Offices in Navigation Square in Cork's docklands was a natural decision. The Dublin office also operates from Iconic Offices, and as Brennan explained, it aligns well with their hybrid working model.
"Having an office in Cork has always been a vision for us," Brennan emphasised, highlighting the longstanding partnerships they have established with clients in Cork and throughout the Munster region. These clients include the HSE, Cork University Hospital, the Department of Education, Greencells and Tesco, among others.
"We were already working in Cork, but we wanted to establish a more permanent foothold," Brennan explained. With their base at Iconic Offices, they have achieved that, and Brennan acknowledged that they will be able to tap into the “wealth of talent” in Cork.
“We have important relationships with clients in Cork, and the driving force behind opening an office in Cork is to attract top talent,” Brennan added, emphasising their aggressive plan to hire rapidly.
“You have two excellent universities, UCC and MTU, and Cork is one of the most compact city centres in Europe. It's also a very friendly place to do business,” Brennan stated.
ORS takes pride in developing long-lasting relationships, both with its staff and its clients, and in Cork, they aim to continue their successful journey of fostering such relationships.
