OVH Group appoints new CEO to tackle next strategic plan

The OVH Group has a new CEO as the company seeks to embark on a new stage in its development.

Michael Paulin has been appointed to lead the company, having spend the bulk of his career in the IT, telecoms, and internet industries. He was once CEO of Neuf Cegetel, for which he led the IPO, Méditel (now Orange Maroc) and SFR.

Former CEO Octave Klaba has entrusted the management of the role to Paulin, and will henceforth be devoting himself to the role of chairman of the board.

Klaba took on the role of CEO in February 2017 where he implemented the OVH Group's 'Next Level' plan. During this time, the company announced its first major acquisition (of vCloudAir, from VMware), expanded with new business in the US and Asia Pacific, created 12 new data centers, and introduced a new cloud product and services strategy.

"With the benefit of his experience and his leadership, Michel Paulin will help us to accelerate the implementation of our new strategic plan - with him as CEO and myself as Chairman of the Board," says Klaba.

"I am convinced that his personal qualities, combined with the strong corporate culture of our teams, will ensure the group's development.

Klaba asserts Paulin's appointment comes as OVH enters its new 'Smart Cloud' strategic plan, of which Paulin will execute as the company seeks to consolidate its role as an alternative leader in cloud.

"The market for Cloud will experience worldwide consolidation in the coming years and I want OVH, the European leader, to play its role to the full. The Group is only just starting its expansion outside Europe and I will bring all my experience to bear to accelerate its development," says Klaba.

"As an entrepreneur, I also want to work on promoting our culture, our values and our methods to create collaborative businesses. I am utterly convinced that Europe needs to build and develop an ecosystem of European companies, to retain digital independence against the Americans and the Chinese.

Paulin is over the moon to be joining the company and is confident in its future.

"It is a great honour for me to join OVH. I am looking forward to lead this team of 2,500 women and men on four continents, with its strong and unique culture of innovation at the service of its clients," says Paulin.

" I am delighted to work with Octave; everyone knows his vision, his entrepreneurial strength and his great humanity.