Patrick Masterson, managing director of Magnet Plus, shares his life and his business lessons.
Patrick Masterson was appointed managing director of Magnet Plus three years ago.
With more than 20 years of experience across a variety of areas including commercial, sales and marketing, Patrick’s reputation for driving commercial activities and improving overall business performance is a key asset to Magnet Plus.
“I bring a strong combination of strategic thinking and hands on leadership, with a proven track record of delivering commercial results”
Prior to joining Magnet Plus, he held several commercial director and chief commercial officer roles in leading Irish companies across the retail, healthcare and technology sectors. He also has an MBA with Henley Business School in the UK.
Magnet Plus is Ireland’s leading provider of enterprise level connectivity, cloud-based voice solutions and tailored managed services and a core part of Speed Fibre Group, Ireland’s leading telecoms infrastructure provider. Established in 2004, the business serves over 7,000 customers across Ireland and Europe, including 70% of the world’s leading tech companies located in Ireland.
Tell us about your background, what journey did you take to arrive where you are today?
I began my career in finance, spending nine formative years working in
London. While that grounding gave me a strong analytical and governance framework, returning to Ireland prompted a shift in perspective. I wanted to be closer to the action, helping to shape strategy and drive growth rather than simply reporting on it.
“As connectivity becomes increasingly business-critical, our ambition is to be the trusted one-stop partner that businesses rely on for secure, always-on communications infrastructure”
I moved into a commercial role and never looked back. Having worked across both financial and commercial disciplines gave me a rounded view of how businesses truly operate and ultimately equipped me with the insight and leadership experience to step into the Managing Director role at Magnet Plus. Three years on, I’m still here.
Why are you doing what you are doing? What need are you meeting and what is your USP?
Magnet Plus, is one of Ireland’s largest connectivity providers, delivering internet access, data connectivity, voice and managed services to business and enterprise customers across Ireland and Europe. What differentiates us is not just the technology, but the way we support our customers.
Our tagline, People Powered Connectivity, reflects two simple but powerful commitments: our customers can always speak to a real person, and we never let them down. In an industry where service can often feel impersonal, we place people firmly at the centre of everything we do.
What are your growth plans for the business?
As the retail arm of Speed Fibre Group, Magnet Plus is focused on becoming the leading enterprise connectivity partner for businesses across Ireland and, increasingly, Europe. Following the acquisition of BT Communications Ireland Ltd. in 2025, we have further strengthened our ability to support organisations with scalable, resilient, and future-ready connectivity solutions.
“Simplicity drives clarity, momentum and execution”
Our growth plans are centred on expanding our enterprise customer base and continuing to invest in high-performance connectivity solutions that support modern business operations, including Dedicated Internet Access, Business Broadband, SIP and Hosted Voice and Managed Services. As connectivity becomes increasingly business-critical, our ambition is to be the trusted one-stop partner that businesses rely on for secure, always-on communications infrastructure.
As part of the Cordiant Digital Infrastructure portfolio, we are supported by a long-term Buy, Build & Grow investment strategy that aligns closely with our own focus on innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.
What key skills and qualities set you apart?
I bring a strong combination of strategic thinking and hands on leadership, with a proven track record of delivering commercial results. I take a pragmatic, outcomes focused approach to business and place significant emphasis on building high performing teams.
“While it’s difficult to see so many young Irish professionals abroad, I firmly believe Ireland Inc will benefit enormously when that global experience returns home”
People are our greatest asset, and creating the right environment for them to succeed is central to how I lead.
Who has helped you most along the way? Who were your greatest mentors?
I’ve been fortunate to work closely with some of Ireland’s most successful business entrepreneurs. Learning at close quarters from individuals who have built and scaled businesses has been invaluable.
The consistent lessons they shared – vision, focus, determination and an unrelenting work ethic – have stayed with me throughout my career.
What is the greatest piece of business advice you have received?
Keep it simple. If you can’t explain something clearly or deliver it simply, you risk losing your audience, missing your objectives and disengaging your team.
Simplicity drives clarity, momentum and execution.
What marks the difference between success and failure in business?
A clear plan, strong ownership and genuine belief are essential – but trust is what brings it all together. When teams trust each other and are aligned behind a shared goal, execution becomes far more powerful.
What has been the most challenging aspect of growing the business?
Ensuring you have the right people in the right roles at the right time – and being honest enough to recognise when change is needed. Growth requires constant evaluation, adaptability and sometimes difficult decisions.
How has digital transformation impacted your scaling journey, and are Irish firms doing enough?
Without question. One of the few positives to emerge from Covid was that it forced businesses to accelerate digital transformation – enabling remote operations and new ways of working almost overnight. While progress has been made, there is still significant untapped potential, particularly when you consider the impact AI will have on productivity and decision making over the coming years.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I would spend time living and working in another country earlier in my career to gain a broader life and business perspective. While it’s difficult to see so many young Irish professionals abroad, I firmly believe Ireland Inc will benefit enormously when that global experience returns home.
Who inspires you in business today?
Michael O’Leary stands out for his direct, no-nonsense approach to business and his unwavering focus on execution and low cost – though placing more focus on customer experience would help!
What advice do you give new hires and how do you nurture talent?
Work hard, keep upskilling, and find a mentor. Equally important is enjoying the journey. Many of my most memorable and rewarding roles I’ve had were those where teams worked incredibly hard – but had fun doing it. That balance matters.
What business books or content would you recommend?
I’m consuming more content through podcasts at the moment. High Performance and The Diary of a CEO are top of my list – both feature insightful interviews and practical lessons from high achieving leaders across industries. I also am a fan of the News Agents and The Rest is Politics for geo-political insights.
What technologies or tools do you personally use to stay on track?
I’ve started using Microsoft Copilot and am keen to explore its potential further. I’m also interested in learning more about Claude Code as AI becomes increasingly embedded in how we work.
Which social media platforms do you prefer and why?
I stepped away from X and Instagram last Christmas due to declining content quality, and I’m increasingly concerned about the prevalence of fake advertising on platforms like Facebook. LinkedIn is the only platform I actively post on – it remains the most valuable for professional engagement and meaningful business dialogue.
Where do you see technology heading, and how will it impact your business?
I’m genuinely excited about AI and the productivity gains it will unlock across organisations. From a Magnet Plus perspective, the growth of AI driven services will significantly increase demand for secure, resilient, always on, business grade connectivity – infrastructure that prioritises mission critical systems and applications and at Magnet Plus we are ready to lead the challenge.
Finally, what advice would you give your 21 year old self?
Keep learning new skills, seek out a strong career mentor and don’t forget to have some fun along the way.
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