MATT CREIGHTON

CLASS OF 2008

Founder, Bleubird, International Outdoor Lifestyle Brand

I was always a "B" grade kid and was never quite sure what path I would end up going down. I chose the subjects I had the most fun in and then went to Liverpool John Moores University to study Sports Development with Physical Education – it wasn’t overly thought through as I didn’t have a passion for it and wasn’t fussed about it as a career. So, as soon as I graduated, I went off to the French Alps to escape and do a ski season. One season turned into 7, and with a lot of travelling in the summer months by bicycle and campervan, I gained a great deal of life experience and learning.

In my last year of working in the Alps, after organising many school ski trips, managing chalets, running ski workshops and dealing with a lot of demanding guests, I set up an outdoor clothing brand called Bleubird. It slowly started gaining traction, so I moved back to Jordanstown and took over my parents' attic, dining room and garden shed to grow my small business.

Fast forward 8 years and Bleubird has grown into an international outdoor lifestyle brand. With a local team of 10 and 10 more global partners, our product is stocked in over 300 retail stores throughout Ireland, the UK, France, Germany, Finland, Denmark and North America. We currently have 5 showrooms – Belfast, London, Annecy (France), Helsinki (Finland) and Heiligenhafen (Germany). We have 3 dedicated Bleubird stores here in Northern Ireland and 2 international stores opening in France and Germany in 2025.

I have fallen into my career. It was never planned, I never studied or trained for it. It has come about from passions, life experience, travelling, broadening horizons and taking risks. My time at Belfast High School helped shape who I am today. Alongside brilliant teaching and support, being involved in rugby taught me discipline, loyalty, honesty and integrity – all traits I have carried into business and daily life.

I have learnt more from following my passions in life than I did by going to university. I’d encourage anyone who has a passion to pursue it. You never know where it may lead you!