Fit Out Conference 2026 Speaker Ronan Holohan on Why Fit-Out Must Be Treated as a Long-Term Asset Strategy

For Ronan Holohan, Founder and Creative Director of Millimetre Design, 2026 is a year that will test whether Ireland's fit-out sector is ready to have the conversations it has been avoiding.

"2026 is an important year for Irish fit-out, especially in hospitality and retail, where customer expectations continue to rise," he said in a pre-event interview. "People are more selective about where they spend their time and money, and with rising costs, businesses need their spaces to work harder than ever."

The pressure on physical spaces has intensified precisely because the alternatives have multiplied. "If someone chooses to visit a shop, restaurant, hotel, café, or bar, the experience has to offer something they cannot get online. In hospitality, interiors have to live up to the expectations created online through websites, booking platforms, reviews, and social media — turning that initial interest into a real-life experience people want to return to and recommend."

The conversation he most wants the sector to tackle goes to the heart of how fit-out is valued. "How do we stop treating fit-out as a cost to be managed, and start treating it as a long-term asset strategy? Lowest cost does not always mean best value for the client. Fastest programme does not always mean best outcome."

His prescription is straightforward. "The sector needs to be more honest about the importance of bringing the right expertise into the process earlier. This will ensure a more successful outcome for the client."

Holohan will close the day on the Fit Out Leaders Award Winners Panel alongside Justin Treacy of Perkins&Will, Conor MacCabe of Henry J Lyons, and Graham O'Donnell of O'Donnell O'Neill Design, with keynote speaker June Koh of Cushman & Wakefield moderating.

Hear more from Holohan and other speakers at the Fit Out Conference 2026 on 11 June at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry. Visit the official event website to explore the full programme and book your place at fitoutawards.ie/conference/book-your-place.