Meet Matthew Formston: A visionary Optus leader defying all odds

In the competitive corporate landscape, achieving success demands more than just ambition; it requires resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Matthew Formston, Optus Head of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility for Enterprise and Business, embodies these qualities not only in his professional role but also in his extraordinary accomplishments in the world of sports.

Matthew’s impressive career at Optus, where he has consistently driven positive change and fostered sustainable practices, is complemented by his incredible personal achievements. He holds world records in two different sports and has garnered numerous cycling and surfing titles, including prestigious gold medals and world championship honours. What makes these feats even more remarkable is that Matthew is legally blind, having lost 97% of his sight to macular dystrophy, a condition he was diagnosed with at just five years old.

Matthew's latest triumph—surfing a towering 51-foot wave at Nazaré in Portugal—earned him the Guinness World Record for the largest wave ever surfed by a blind surfer. This daring feat highlights his relentless pursuit of excellence. In recognition of his achievement, Matthew was awarded the 2023 Heavy Water Award at the Surfing Australia Awards, marking the first time a para surfer has received an accolade typically reserved for able-bodied athletes.