Breda Gleeson of FKM Fit Out claimed Best Operations Leadership at the Women in Construction Awards 2026, establishing a benchmark for people-centred operations leadership. Her achievement reflects a consistent ability to combine strategic operational control with genuine investment in the people who deliver it.

Breda’s operational leadership has produced significant improvements in both quality and cost. Across enterprise and project levels, her initiatives demonstrate how disciplined process management can strengthen delivery while protecting margins. The breadth of this work, spanning organisation-wide systems and individual project performance, shows an operations leader who understands how decisions at each level affect the whole business.

Equally important is her commitment to people development. Her mentorship benefits both the organisation and the individuals she supports, building capability and career progression throughout the business. This focus on developing people alongside delivering measurable outcomes reflects an operational approach grounded in long-term resilience rather than short-term gain.

Judges highlighted the strength of Gleeson’s leadership. “Our judges were struck by Breda Gleeson’s exceptional leadership and commitment to mentorship, which benefits both the organisation and individuals in their careers,” the panel said. “Her submission clearly highlighted her outstanding operational leadership, demonstrating her ability to drive significant improvements in quality and cost. The range of initiatives presented, across both enterprise and project levels, showed a strong focus on people development and measurable operational outcomes. Breda’s strategic approach and people-centric leadership make her a standout in the field, with a clear track record of delivering lasting impact.”

This award recognition reflects the Women in Construction Awards’ commitment to acknowledging leaders who align operational excellence with people development. Breda’s achievement illustrates how strong systems and strong people reinforce each other across construction operations.

For the full list of winners and category details, visit the official Women in Construction Awards website and subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive insights and coverage from Ireland's construction sector.