FEATURE
Dermot Usher (Former Ceo), Sonas Bathrooms
Charlie O’Neill, Heating Engineer Supplies.
WINNER: UnsungHeroAward CHARLIEO’NEILL - HEATING ENGINEERSUPPLIES
WINNER: Special RecognitionAward DERMOTUSHER - (FORMERCEO) SONASBATHROOMS
KINDLY SPONSORED BY: MYSON
KINDLY SPONSORED BY: THERMOPARTS
A “true gentleman” received this year’s Unsung Hero Award, Mr Charlie O’Neill was recognised by our team of judges as an individual who has made a substantive contribution throughout his community and charity work. Known for always giving back and supporting local sports clubs and charities, he has even slept on the streets of Dublin to raise money for a homeless charity. When Charlie discovered the pressures that the pandemic put on the demands of supplies such as essential PPE, he stepped up to help immediately. He travelled the country, gathering and donating masks, goggles, gloves, anti-bacterial wipes and even ponchos so he could help midwives at the Rotunda Maternity Hospital. His willingness to help others, even professionally, outshines most of us, but his immediate reaction to those in need during the pandemic proves not only is he an Unsung Hero, but a gentleman we should be honoured to have in our trade. Charlie said he was delighted with his recognition. Speaking at the awards ceremony, he added: “I’m a firm believer in karma and like to help where I can. A couple of wrong turns and it could be any one of us needing help.” Congratulations to Charlie, a fantastic ambassador for the industry.
T his prestigious accolade recognises a company or individual who has played an exemplary role within Ireland’s plumbing and heating sector. While this year’s nominees all merited excellent marks from our team of judges, there was certainly one individual who stood out from the rest. Dermot Usher, retired CEO of SONAS Bathrooms demonstrated his dedication within the sector from humble beginnings thirty years ago. He joined the bathroom distribution company that his father, John had established in 1978 and at only 23 years of age, managed to convince major suppliers and manufacturers to supply him with stock. Dermot’s key strengths were always on strategy and long-term planning, and over time the strategic decision was made to create their own range of branded SONAS products. The company now employs almost 90 full-time staff and has maintained a growth trajectory in the last decade. It expects to reach €45m sales this year. After 30 years at the helm, Dermot has retired as CEO as a management buyout was announced in August. Dermot remarked: “I am delighted to be taking a non-executive role on the board but formally end my tenure as CEO. I wish the leadership team and each of my colleagues in SONAS continued success into the future.”
T: +353 (0) 86 045 5812 E: charlie@heatingengineersupplies.ie www.heatingengineersupplies.ie
T: +353 (0)1 817 9755 E: info@sonasbathrooms.com www.sonasbathroms.com
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PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE | 57
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