The business community of the region is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Anne Reilly, founder of Paycheck Plus, a person of immense character, resilience, and fortitude.
When Anne Reilly lifted a microphone or sat in a room with attentive ears all around, you just took in the moment, listened, learned, inspired.
What she achieved in her life was truly the stuff of dreams. From a humble garage to offices in Ireland and the UK, she lived a career she simply loved. And she drew admirers from far and wide who got her, got what she said and got what she did, a master of her trade.
In 2005, Anne Reilly spotted an opening in a competitive and necessary market for any firm – payroll. She founded Paycheck Plus and it did what it said on the tin, a payroll outsourcing company providing an independent service to Irish and International employers in Ireland. Paycheck Plus provided a tailor-made service to suit individual business requirements. From registration to calculations, employer obligations, Paycheck Plus offers a complete payroll service that is efficient, reliable and affordable.
That simple but effective ethos took off.
Within two years, she was accepting the IPASS Award for Payroll Outsource Provider of the Year.
She was recognised for 'setting standards' in the industry and acknowledged the companies 'excellence in delivering a superb outsource service to their clients.'
She remarked afterwards, 'This award brings recognition to Paycheck Plus on the national stage and highlights the benefits of outsourcing payroll. Having ' our service acclaimed in the this way will, I believe, encourage employers to consider the benefits of working with Paycheck Plus.’
A year later, they won the Best Small Business award at the Drogheda Chamber awards night.
Prior to starting Paycheck Plus, Anne worked in the Finance Department of Unilever/McDonnells where the d Hotel and Scotch Hall now stand. She also worked as buyer for Heinz in Dundalk and for one of their UK Plants.
Never one to shirk a challenge, after founding Paycheck Plus, Anne threw herself into another new role - that of Lecturer in Payroll Calculations and Employment Law at Beaufort College, Navan.
In 2009, Anne struck it big at the Louth County Enterprise Awards, named best service provider and overall winner.
'It is great to be recognised for our service among our peers in Louth. I would like to thank all those at Louth County Enterprise Board who have supported us,' she said. Anne was speechless, adding ‘I’m not often speechless,’ to which members of her watching team nodded, everyone enjoying a unified smile.
The business raced on with clients from New York to Sydney.
In 2015, she added to her desire to teach and inspire others by becoming the volunteer lead entrepreneur for ACORNS, driving the next generation of rural leaders.
The Donore Road became the HQ as the years went on and another office opened in Manchester more than a decade ago, a famous image taken of Anne with Old Trafford in the background.
In 2021, she made history by being elected to the first Irish SME Association (ISME) National Council with a female majority and the following year, Drogheda and District Chamber would come calling again to honour one of our own, Anne accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award for her simply outstanding contribution to the business world of this area and country.
In the years to come, when the history of Drogheda and District Chamber is written, we’ll have Anne Reilly up in lights, truly one of a kind who gave so much to so many. Sleep well, Anne.