Shane Leahy - Oxygen8 Communications Ltd

Year: 2012

Category: International

Sector: telecommunications, technology

Shane Leahy is the CEO of Oxygen8, a global provider of integrated mobile solutions based in Birmingham UK.

Comprising three distinct divisions, Oxygen8 was established in 2000 to develop specific mobile services that enable businesses to drive new revenue streams, improve customer communication, build brand awareness and increase customer loyalty: Oxygen8 Corporate Solutions offers a range of innovative and dynamic mobile solutions services that connect corporations with their customers through automated multi-channel communications such as messaging, e-mail, voice, social networking, and other mobile media.

The Oxygen8 Mobile Payment division develops and supports innovative payment mechanisms that allow consumers to pay for goods and services using their mobile phone; while Oxygen8 Money was recently launched as a standalone division within the group to capitalise on the phenomenal worldwide growth in ‘mobile wallets’ and provide solutions for mobile money transfer with the aim of becoming a leading global solution provider.

The provision of a broad range of mobile services enables clients to fully embrace and incorporate mobile solutions into their overall business strategy, and as a global business, Oxygen8 has the infrastructure, technical skills and depth of resource to take new products and services to market quickly and easily.

Clients include a broad range of mobile networks, media groups, banks, marketing agencies and utility companies.

Centralised Technical, Product Development and Marketing teams support local Commercial Sales and Customer Support teams within the Group to ensure maximum levels of customer service and global delivery.

Turnover at the integrated mobile solution provider in 2011 was £75 million - a 22% increase in growth for 2010.

The company is targeting year-on-year growth in excess of 20% and is on target to surpass £90million turnover for year-end, May 2012.

Oxygen8 currently employs over 200 staff in offices in Dublin, London, Birmingham, Australia, Canada, Caribbean, Kenya, The Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania and the US.

The firm hopes to further expand its international reach with the opening of offices in South America and South East Asia later this year.

Services: Oxygen8 services include: Worldwide Mobile Solutions; Mobile Marketing; Voice and IVR Solutions; Billing Services; Mobile Commerce; SMS Services; Fraud Management; and Mobile Web and Apps.

Customers: Amongst the firm’s corporate clients are: Paddy Power; Aer Lingus; FAS; UTV Radio Group; Communicorp Group; Unilever; O2/Telefonica; Bank of America; United Utilities; SonyBMG; Cadbury; Fairfax; ARN; Sky News; Amobee; Travelex; Insure & Go; Scotia Bank; 7DKS; Tesco Mobile; and MC Saatchi.

What role does CSR play in your business strategy? CSR is extremely important to us.

In 2011, 18 ‘builders’ and I raised £40,000 when we travelled to Durban in South Africa to build a house for HIV/AIDS orphans.

This year, we are planning a further house-build in the Caribbean and are developing a Graduate Training Programme to encourage entrepreneurship in future generations.

What motivates you to succeed? As a former professional rugby player, I have a healthy fear of failure!

The continued growth and evolution of Oxygen8 as a company, and providing for my family, are my primary motivations but as demonstrated by my sports background, I’m a highly competitive person who is driven to succeed.

• EOY Team Cycle Dublin to Galway for Soul of Haiti Foundation

Tweets by @EOYIreland