Matthew Gleeson is CEO of Blackberry Hearing, a leading Irish hearing healthcare provider. He has driven rapid growth through retail partnerships, acquisitions, and a strong focus on customer outcomes. Matt is focused on building an AI-enabled, internationally scalable healthcare business.
By Olivia DeWan
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
As CEO of Blackberry Hearing, my priority is to scale the business into a leading international hearing healthcare provider while maintaining the clinical standards and customer outcomes that define our brand.
That means building the right leadership structure, investing in systems and data, and creating an organisation that can grow without losing what made it successful in the first place.
What are your biggest challenges as CEO?
The biggest challenge is stepping back from the operational detail. Having grown with the business, there’s a natural tendency to stay close to everything, but real impact comes from focusing on strategy, capital allocation, and long-term direction.
Cash flow management is another constant focus. In a consumer-led business, external factors can shift demand quickly. Our job is to build resilience—ensuring we can continue to invest and grow regardless of market conditions.
How do you keep your team motivated?
Clarity and momentum are key. We focus on what’s within our control, we measure what matters, and we celebrate progress consistently.
We’ve built a culture where performance is recognised weekly across our clinics and contact centre, but equally where people feel supported. It’s not about getting it perfect—it’s about showing up every day and creating an environment where people can do their best work.
What challenges are facing the industry going forward?
The most pressing issue is the shortage of qualified audiologists in Ireland. With limited training capacity, the pipeline simply isn’t keeping pace with demand.
This has real consequences—particularly for public healthcare systems, where waiting lists continue to grow. If we’re serious about improving hearing healthcare access, workforce development has to be addressed.
What new trends are emerging in your industry?
AI is fundamentally changing how we operate—both clinically and operationally. From automating administrative workflows to enhancing hearing device performance, it’s improving both efficiency and outcomes.
At Blackberry Hearing, we’re embedding AI across our business and aim to be the most AI-enabled hearing healthcare provider in our markets by 2027.
We’re also seeing growth in over-the-counter and online hearing solutions. While they improve accessibility, they don’t yet replicate the long-term clinical care required for optimal outcomes. Hearing healthcare is not a one-off transaction—it’s a lifelong service.
Are there any major changes you would like to see in your sector?
Regulation is critical. The introduction of CORU registration for audiologists in Ireland is long overdue.
Audiology is healthcare, and it should be governed accordingly—with clear standards, accountability, and ongoing professional development. Strong regulation protects patients and elevates the entire industry.
Are you seeing any skill gaps in the market?
Yes—particularly in audiology talent, which directly impacts our ability to scale.
We’re also seeing a gap between AI theory and execution. Many providers can talk about AI, but far fewer can implement it in a way that delivers measurable business impact.
How did your strategy evolve during periods of economic uncertainty?
We built our strategy around data and visibility.
At Blackberry Hearing, every customer interaction feeds into our CRM and business intelligence systems in real time. That gives us a clear view of performance across the business and allows us to make fast, informed decisions.
In uncertain environments, speed and clarity are competitive advantages.
How do you define success, and what drives you?
Personally, success is about freedom—control over your time, financial security, and having the right people around you.
From a business perspective, success is building a company that competes internationally, delivers exceptional outcomes for customers, and sets a new standard for hearing healthcare.
What drives me is conviction. I believe we are building something genuinely differentiated at Blackberry Hearing—a business with strong foundations that can ultimately reshape the industry.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given in business?
Focus on what actually drives the business.
Strip it back to a small number of core metrics and execute relentlessly against them. Complexity is often a distraction—clarity wins.
What advice would you give to others starting a business?
Start before you feel ready.
Don’t wait for perfect conditions, funding, or support. Sell something to someone, learn quickly, and build from there.
And don’t chase perfection—progress and momentum are far more valuable early on.
What have been your highlights in business over the past year?
The past year has been transformational. We completed several acquisitions and demonstrated our ability to consolidate brands and databases under Blackberry Hearing. We’ve had our strongest year of growth since the business began and see further headroom for expansion.
We’ve accelerated our growth through new clinic openings and partnerships, strengthened our leadership team, and continued to build one of the strongest clinical teams in the country.
Just as importantly, we’ve deepened our reputation with customers—delivering consistent outcomes at scale, which is ultimately what defines success in healthcare.
What’s next for your company?
We’re entering a significant expansion phase.
This includes targeted acquisitions, scaling our retail footprint through our Tesco partnership, and launching into the UK market. Alongside this, we’re expanding into a full-service hearing healthcare model—adding diagnostics, paediatric care, and more advanced clinical services.
Where do you want the business to be this time next year?
- Firmly established as a top-three hearing healthcare provider in Ireland
- Successfully launched and trading in the UK
- Recognised as the most trusted hearing healthcare brand in Ireland
- Leading progress toward CORU registration in audiology
What is the best non-business book you’ve read?
Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin.
It fundamentally changes how you think about money, time, and values. I’ve shared it widely within the team because it gives people clarity and perspective early in their careers.
What is your favourite hobby?
These days, it’s spending time outdoors—gardening, working in the polytunnel, and cooking, particularly BBQ. Yoga is also a great help.
It’s a complete contrast to the pace of business and a great way to reset.
What is your mantra for life?
Treat people as you would like to be treated.
And don’t take life too seriously—you won’t make it out alive.
I firmly believe that you can build a successful business and still operate with personal integrity. Over the long run, that’s what endures.
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