Our Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards 2026 winners series sees us chatting to our trophy recipients about their business, and what it takes to thrive in the industry.
South William Clinic won Aesthetic Clinic of the Year, sponsored by Creagh Aesthetic Distribution, and owner Brendan Molloy answers our questions.
Tell us about your career journey to date?
My career has certainly been unconventional. I didn’t come from a medical background; I began in journalism before moving into the corporate world with companies including Yahoo!, eBay and PayPal. Those experiences taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, customer experience, innovation and building brands.
In 2015, I founded South William Clinic with a simple ambition: to create a clinic that genuinely puts patients first and raised the standard of medical aesthetics in Ireland. We started with a small team, one clinic and a big vision. Since then, we’ve grown into a multi-award-winning clinic group with an incredible team of talented doctors, nurses, aestheticians and support staff who all share the same commitment to excellence.
Today, our vision has evolved beyond aesthetics alone. We are building one of Ireland’s leading destinations for medical aesthetics, skin health, body confidence, longevity health opstiisation and regenerative medicine, helping patients look, feel and fuction better at every stage of life.
What have been the highlights or moments you are most proud of?
Without question, the greatest achievement has been building such an exceptional team and watching individuals grow into leaders within the business. Awards are a wonderful recognition, but seeing our people develop, achieve their own career goals and deliver life-changing outcomes for our patients is what gives me the greatest pride.
Opening multiple clinics, expanding our services and receiving national and international recognition have all been significant milestones, but nothing compares to hearing a patient tell us we’ve helped restore their confidence or improved their quality of life. Those moments remind us why we do what we do. Winning Aesthetic Clinic of the Year is another incredibly proud moment because it recognises the dedication, professionalism and passion of every member of our team.
What do you love most about the industry?
The industry is constantly evolving. Innovation never stands still, and there is always something new to learn, whether that’s a new technology, treatment approach or scientific advancement.
What excites me most is that aesthetics has become about so much more than appearance. Increasingly, we’re seeing patients wanting to invest in their long-term health, skin quality and overall wellbeing. The future lies in combining aesthetics with longevity, regenerative medicine and preventative healthcare to deliver truly holistic outcomes. Most importantly, we have the privilege of making a genuine difference to people’s confidence and self-esteem. That's an incredibly rewarding position to be in.
Our ambition is to continue redefining what a modern medical aesthetics and longevity clinic can be, combining world-class technology, exceptional clinical expertise and truly personalised care to help people look, feel and live their very best
Are there challenges in the industry and how can they be overcome?
As our industry continues to grow, maintaining the highest standards of safety, ethics and clinical excellence has never been more important. Education, regulation and patient awareness will all play a vital role in shaping the future. Clinics should never compete on price alone; they should compete on expertise, outcomes and patient care.
I also believe collaboration is important. By sharing knowledge, investing in education and continually raising standards together, we strengthen the reputation of the entire industry.
What traits do you think are most important in order to thrive in the industry?
Passion is essential, but passion alone isn't enough. Curiosity, resilience and a commitment to lifelong learning are what separate good professionals from great ones. Our industry evolves rapidly, so standing still simply isn’t an option.
Empathy is equally important. Every patient has a story, and understanding their goals, concerns and motivations allows us to deliver truly personalised care.
Finally, never lose sight of excellence. Whether it’s clinical outcomes, customer service or the smallest detail of the patient journey, consistency is what builds trust and long-term success.
Were you surprised to win a Beauty, Hair & Spa Award, and what does winning mean to you?
It was genuinely an honour and a very proud moment for all of us. The Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards recognise excellence across some of the very best businesses in the industry, so to be named Aesthetic Clinic of the Year is incredibly meaningful.
This award belongs to our entire team. Every consultation, every treatment, every conversation with a patient and every behind-the-scenes role contributes to creating the experience that South William Clinic has become known for. It also reinforces our belief that when you consistently invest in your people, your patients and your standards, recognition naturally follows.
While we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far, we firmly believe this is only the beginning. Our ambition is to continue redefining what a modern medical aesthetics and longevity clinic can be, combining world-class technology, exceptional clinical expertise and truly personalised care to help people look, feel and live their very best. If our journey inspires others to dream bigger and continually raise standards within our industry, then that’s perhaps the greatest achievement of all.
What advice would you give anyone who is thinking about entering next year’s Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards?
Absolutely go for it. The application process itself is a valuable opportunity to reflect on your business, celebrate your achievements and identify areas for future growth. Don’t underestimate your story. Awards aren't just about numbers; they’re about your people, your culture, your innovation and the difference you make every day.
Most importantly, focus on building a business that deserves recognition rather than chasing recognition itself. If you remain committed to excellence and continuously raise your own standards, the awards will often follow naturally.
Are you thinking about entering the Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards 2027? If so, you can register your interest here.
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