Evelyn O’Toole

Evelyn O’Toole is a visionary entrepreneur, scientist, and business leader. A native of Clifden, County Galway, she founded Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) in 1994. CLS partners with the MedTech, Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical, Environmental, and Food industries, delivering a comprehensive suite of solutions that drive operational excellence and innovation. Its solutions span sample management, testing, strategic consulting, specialised training, quality assurance (QA), and lean transformation. CLS also deploys highly trained professionals in quality control (QC), quality assurance (QA), and Lean practices directly to client sites, ensuring seamless integration and immediate, measurable impact. Evelyn leads the company’s strategic direction, vision, and values, shaping its market sectors, solutions offerings, and competitive differentiation. Together with her team, she has led the company from being an SME to an Irish-led multinational with a plan to grow to 400 employees. Her academic credentials include a Certificate in Applied Biology from TUS, Athlone; a Diploma in Pollution Assessment and Control from ATU, Sligo; and a Diploma in Train the Trainer from Maynooth University. Honorary recognitions include a degree from University of Galway in recognition of her “outstanding and distinctive contribution to business”; a fellowship from ATU Galway on her "contribution to her chosen field of scientific endeavor and entrepreneurial accomplishments", and an Alumni award from ATU, Sligo. Evelyn’s first business award was Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year (Network Galway 2016). In 2017, Evelyn received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Ireland industry category and the Irish Tatler Businesswoman of the Year. Beyond her business, Evelyn is a board member of the Irish Medtech Association, a judge on the EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme, and an advocate for advancing women in business.