Matthew Cochrane

Meet Matt, our COO

You're into long-distance swimming and triathlon, what keeps you going when things get tough?
Honestly, the tough part is one of the main reasons to do it. People believe that when you get fitter things get easier but it’s not actually the case. You still have to battle through, but you can recover quicker. When it really hurts, it’s less about motivation and more about stubbornness. You signed up, you put in the work, you chose to be there, so now is the time to show up and get it done.

One tactic to help push through the tough moments is to break it into smaller targets, keep breathing, and refuse to stop. Every step forward, every lamppost you pass is a step closer to the finish.

How has endurance sport influenced the way you build and lead teams?
Endurance events teach you resilience. You learn that your preparation doesn’t happen in a day, a week or a month, in fact it’s the cumulative effect over many years. In business it’s the same, the ‘overnight successes’ typically have years of grinding behind them but it’s easy to overlook that if you weren't there. Building and leading teams with that perspective helps create a trusting environment, and that’s where the magic happens.

Fairlo is growing in the UK: What does it take to scale a product thoughtfully in a new market without losing its core identity?
You need to be really clear on what matters most; what you’re willing to adapt, and what you’re not. Every market is different in terms of regulation, data, and customer behaviour. The challenge is translating your principles into that context without losing them along the way. If you’re not clear on that from the start, it’s easy to drift or end up building something that doesn’t quite feel like you anymore.

You're giving a TEDx talk next week, what's the one idea you want people to leave with?
The main takeaway is that ‘the finish line is an illusion’. The setbacks, the false peaks, the moments of self doubt, they're not a sign something has gone wrong. They are part of the process. Those are the moments where you grow. So stop chasing the destination and start embracing the journey.