From Night Shifts to CEO: Prabin Shrestha’s 30-Year Career Path
How a former frontline cleaner rose to lead a $250 million national service company.
1Humble Beginnings in Australia
Prabin Shrestha arrived in Australia from Nepal over thirty years ago as a student. To support his education in accounting and finance, he worked part-time as a cleaner. These demanding night shifts provided him with a foundational understanding of operational realities that would eventually shape his future executive leadership style at SKG.
2Rise Through the Ranks
Shrestha steadily advanced through supervisory and management roles within SKG over three decades. He credits the late founder, Steve Manoussakis, for teaching him the value of a positive work ethic. By 2021, he became Group Chief Operating Officer, eventually ascending to the position of Group CEO in 2026 to lead the organization.
3Scaling a National Business
SKG has evolved from a family-founded cleaning firm into a national operation valued at approximately $250 million. The company now employs over 3,500 people across cleaning, security, and property maintenance sectors. Shrestha emphasizes that strategic acquisitions, such as the purchase of EZKO, have been essential to expanding their service capabilities and market reach.
4Integrated Service Delivery Model
As COO, Shrestha focused on integrating disparate services into a unified offering for clients. The company utilizes the SKGenius platform to provide real-time visibility into attendance, task completion, and incident reporting. This technology investment aims to solve specific operational problems rather than serving as a generic tool for the sake of digital transformation.
5Commitment to Sustainable Growth
Shrestha balances commercial expansion with operational excellence and employee welfare. A key sustainability milestone includes shifting to chemical-free cleaning using stabilized aqueous ozone, which reduced chemical usage by roughly 70%. He maintains that growth should never come at the expense of the company’s core values, its workforce, or the clients they serve.
6Leadership Through Direct Engagement
Despite the company's significant growth, Shrestha maintains a hands-on approach by visiting sites and speaking directly with employees. He believes the most valuable insights often come from frontline staff rather than boardroom discussions. This practice helps him understand daily challenges and ensures that management decisions are grounded in the reality of operations.
7Defining Success and Mentorship
For Shrestha, success has shifted from personal financial stability to building a sustainable business that creates opportunities for others. He views his role as CEO as a privilege, focusing on empowering employees to achieve their potential. He advises aspiring leaders to prioritize building trust and knowledge over chasing specific job titles or promotions.
8Legacy of Opportunity
The trajectory of Shrestha’s career highlights the importance of internal mobility and mentorship in corporate environments. By fostering a culture that values talent at every level, he aims to ensure SKG continues to thrive for another fifty years. His journey remains a testament to the impact of providing opportunities to dedicated frontline workers.
Original article: Dynamic Business — From Night Shifts to CEO: Prabin Shrestha’s 30-Year Career Path