The Returners Series | Martin Tierney
Martin Tierney, Managing Director of Seating Matters, has built a global business from the heart of Northern Ireland. His story is a powerful example of how local roots can support international success.
Martin grew up in the countryside just outside Limavady, with his family home only steps away from the factory where Seating Matters now operates. “The childhood we had, running around the fields here, close to Seating Matters, was idyllic,” he recalls.
At eighteen, Martin left Northern Ireland to explore life abroad. He lived in England, Canada, and the United States, gaining valuable experience and expanding his horizons.
Seating Matters designs and manufactures clinical therapeutic seating for adults in care homes, hospitals, and private residences. Recognising a need for these products in England, Martin and his brother moved to Newcastle and later Berkshire to establish distributors.
Their journey didn’t stop there. A call from a therapist in Nova Scotia opened the door to the Canadian market, and soon after, the company expanded into the US, with Martin relocating to upstate New York.
Despite the excitement of living abroad, Martin felt a strong pull back to Northern Ireland. “There was always a draw back home,” he says. “It’s something I always envisaged for our children.”
Today, Seating Matters exports to dozens of countries from its base in Limavady. Martin credits Northern Ireland’s transformation for making this possible.
In the 1980s, my father booked a ticket to Australia because there was nothing here. But today, things couldn’t be more different. We have incredible schools, a great healthcare system, a strong economy. You can be whatever profession you wish and live and work here in Northern Ireland and compete on a global stage.
Martin believes Northern Ireland is uniquely positioned between Europe and North America, making it an ideal location for international business. “We’re able to punch above our weight from this little corner of the world,” he says.
From a small town in Northern Ireland to a global business leader, Martin Tierney’s journey is a testament to the opportunities that exist right here at home.
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Explore more inspiring stories in our Returners Series or connect with us to start your own journey home.
