Ruthenium-based catalysts bearing quaternary ammonium groups in their N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) fragments and different counter-ions were synthesised and tested in various olefin metathesis transformations. Differences in catalytic activity in correlation with the nature of the present counter-ion were revealed. The unique properties of the described catalysts allow for the effective preparation of a variety of metathesis products with low ruthenium contamination and under green chemistry conditions.