'A chance to celebrate': Northern Ireland founder marks 25 years with leadership restructure as pharmacy group targets over £40m turnover
Plumbridge native Oonagh O’Hagan founded Meaghers Pharmacy in her 20s and is now group CEO, as the business unveils new leadership and plans for its next phase of growth
A Tyrone-born entrepreneur who founded a Dublin pharmacy business in her 20s is marking 25 years in business as the company announces a new leadership structure and ambitious growth plans.
Oonagh O’Hagan, a native of Plumbridge in Co Tyrone, founded Meaghers Pharmacy Group after buying the Meaghers Pharmacy on Baggot Street in Dublin from her mentor, Pierce Meagher.
The business now has 10 stores and online operations, employing more than 180 people, and is targeting turnover of €50 million (over £42m) within the next two years.
Part of the restructure includes Oonagh moving into the role of group chief executive, where she will focus on long-term strategy, partnerships and governance.
Darren Hardiman has been appointed managing director, taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of the business, as well as its commercial and digital development.
The leadership changes were announced to staff at Meaghers’ 25th anniversary celebration at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.
The company recorded a 23% increase in turnover last year, rising from approximately €29.1 million (over £24m) to €35.79 million (over £30m). EBITDA also increased by 27%, from €1.27 million (ove £1m) to €1.62 million (over £1.3m).
Meaghers is currently recruiting a further 30 seasonal staff, while the group and O’Hagan’s own social media accounts have a combined monthly reach of around eight million people.
Anniversary celebrations include the launch of HEALTH360, a new customer health strategy, alongside the Refill Assist app and Springboard initiative, which will give an emerging Irish health and wellness brand a €10,000 launch platform across Meaghers’ 10 pharmacies.
Oonagh said the 25th anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate what the business had built while setting its direction for the future: “Community pharmacy has always been about much more than medicines. Our teams are trusted sources of care, compassion and advice, and they see every day the pressures people face in caring for themselves and their families.
"Our commitment to social prescribing and integrative health comes from that experience. HEALTH360 builds on it by helping customers make small, practical changes that add up to a healthier life.”
Darren added: “My job is to turn strategy into action. That means clear priorities, strong operational performance and using our commercial and digital capabilities to scale responsibly. I look forward to working with Oonagh and the wider team to deliver Meaghers’ next phase of growth.”