Michael Tobin
Michael Tobin is currently the Chairman of Audioboom, the largest podcasting platform in Europe. He is a serial technology entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the technology and telecommunications industry. Tobin is best known for his key role in the dramatic transformation of Telecity into a billion-dollar company. He now holds multiple NED and Chairman roles with progressive businesses in the datacentre and technology industries. He has also managed several successful exit strategies for organizations.
EARLY LIFE
- Born in Bermondsey, his father was violent and frequently in prison.
- His mother planned to move to Zimbabwe to escape him but they were shot at and eventually returned home as refugees.
- On his return, he became a squatter in Stockwell, London.
- He fixed up and sold pianos with his stepfather.
- He left school at 16, joining Rockwell as an electronics engineering apprentice.
- He worked on a fruit and vegetable stall in his spare time to raise cash.
PHILANTHROPY
- He has been involved with the Prince’s Trust, which works to help get disadvantaged young people.
- His fund-raising efforts have included 40 marathons in 40 days.
- He also completed a month-long trip to Antarctica to raise money for children with brain tumors.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
- Datacentre and Cloud Influencer of the Decade, Broadgroup Industry Awards
- Top 25 Power Individuals of Industry, Smith & Williamson
- UK IT Services Entrepreneur of the Year, Ernst & Young
- Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to the Data Center Industry, Data Centre Europe Awards
- Order of the British Empire (OBE) for Services to the Digital Economy, Queens New Year Honours List