In an exclusive Q&A with NEXT.io, Continent 8 Technologies CEO Mike Small discusses his transition into the role, succeeding founder Michael Tobin, the impact of AI on the technology sector, and the strategic priorities shaping the company’s next phase of growth.
NEXT: After serving as a strategic board advisor over the last year, what ultimately convinced you to take on the CEO role at Continent 8 Technologies?
Mike Small: Having worked alongside the leadership team over the past year, I gained a real appreciation for what makes Continent 8 special. The company has built an outstanding reputation as a trusted technology partner to many of the world’s leading iGaming operators and platform providers, and that reputation has been earned through a relentless focus on customer success, innovation and operational excellence. Our Net Promoter Score of 71 is a great reflection of the trust our customers place in us and the commitment of our teams to delivering exceptional outcomes.
What ultimately convinced me was the combination of a strong foundation and the opportunity ahead. The business has exceptional people, deep customer relationships and market-leading technology, but I also see tremendous potential for growth as the industry continues to evolve and embrace new technologies, including AI.
Joining as CEO was an opportunity to help shape the next chapter of an already successful story.
NEXT: Looking back on your first months engaging with the business, what stands out most about Continent 8’s culture, people and customer relationships?
MS: The first thing that stood out to me was the calibre of the people. Across every part of the organisation and every location, I encountered teams that are passionate about what they do and genuinely committed to delivering for customers.
A key part of my work as strategic board advisor was helping shape the future operating model of the business, drawing on my experience building and scaling global delivery organisations. One of the achievements I’m particularly proud of is strengthening our Global Capability Centre strategy across India, the Philippines and Bulgaria. These centres play an important role in supporting our customers around the world, while enhancing our ability to scale, innovate and access exceptional talent.
I was also impressed by the strength of the relationships Continent 8 has built across the industry, not only with customers but also with strategic partners (the likes of AWS and Nutanix). Technology is obviously at the heart of our business, but it’s the trust we’ve established over many years that truly differentiates us.
Attending my first Continent 8 Customer Advisory Board meeting brought that to life. Hearing directly from customers about the value they place on our partnership, and seeing the openness of those conversations, reinforced just how strong those relationships are.
NEXT: Michael Tobin founded the business nearly three decades ago and has become one of the most recognisable figures in gaming technology. What conversations did you have with him ahead of taking the role, and how do you balance preserving what has made Continent 8 successful while bringing your own leadership approach?
MS: Michael has built an incredible business over the past 28 years, and one of the things that struck me most during our conversations was his passion for the company, our people and our customers. His leadership has shaped not only Continent 8’s success, but also the culture and values that define the business today. The respect he has earned across the industry reflects that legacy.
The transition has been carefully planned and there is a shared understanding that success comes from building on the foundations that have already been established. My focus is not on changing what has made Continent 8 successful. It’s about helping the company evolve, identifying new opportunities and ensuring we’re positioned for long-term growth.
Michael remains closely involved as chairman, which provides valuable continuity, while I bring my own experience from leading global technology organisations and scaling businesses through periods of transformation and growth. Together, that creates a strong platform for the future.
NEXT: You bring experience from organisations including Akkodis, Adecco, IBM, Hewlett Packard and Capgemini. Which lessons from those roles will be most valuable in this next chapter?
MS: I’ve been fortunate to work across a variety of global technology and services businesses, and while every organisation is different, some lessons are universal.
The most important is staying close to your customers. Technology evolves rapidly, but organisations that truly understand their customers’ challenges are best positioned to create value. Throughout my career, the most successful businesses I’ve seen are those that listen carefully, anticipate change and remain focused on solving real customer problems.
Additionally, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of balancing innovation with execution. It’s one thing to have a vision for where the market is headed; it’s another to consistently deliver for customers every day. The most successful organisations are those that can do both.
Those principles will continue to guide my approach at Continent 8 as we focus on supporting our customers, developing our people and driving the next phase of growth.
NEXT: Continent 8 has grown from a single data centre business into a global technology provider operating more than 100 connected locations worldwide. What do you believe has been the key to that success, and what opportunities excite you most about the next stage of growth?
MS: The company’s success has been built on consistently listening to customers and evolving alongside their needs. As the industry has grown and become increasingly global, regulated and technology-driven, Continent 8 has continued to invest in the infrastructure, expertise and services required to support that evolution.
A key part of that success has been our global network of 100+ locations, which today is recognised as one of the top 20 most connected networks in the world. It is the bedrock of our business and the foundation on which we have built our broader portfolio of infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity and managed technology services. Our customers operate in environments where performance, resilience and connectivity are critical, and that network gives them the platform they need to scale with confidence.
What excites me most is that we’re still at the beginning of some very significant opportunities. New regulated markets continue to emerge, customer environments are becoming more complex, and organisations are increasingly looking to modernise their technology estates through cloud adoption, data-driven decision making and AI-enabled innovation. At the same time, demand for secure, resilient and high-performance technology solutions continues to increase.
As these trends accelerate, customers need partners that can help them navigate change with confidence. With 28 years of experience in the highly regulated iGaming industry, Continent 8 combines deep sector expertise with a global technology platform spanning infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity and managed services.
That puts us in a unique position to help customers modernise their environments, leverage emerging technologies such as AI, and expand into new markets, all while maintaining the security, performance and compliance that are critical to their success.
NEXT: Artificial intelligence is becoming a major focus across every industry. Having helped shape AI strategy in previous leadership roles, where do you see the biggest opportunities for AI within Continent 8 and across the wider gaming ecosystem?
MS: AI has enormous potential, but I believe the iGaming industry is still in the early stages of understanding how transformative it can be. During my time at Akkodis, I saw firsthand how AI can move beyond theory and deliver real business value, helping organisations accelerate innovation, improve productivity, optimise operations and make smarter decisions at scale.
Across the gaming ecosystem, AI will help operators become more efficient, make better use of data and improve decision-making. It also has significant potential to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities, automate repetitive processes, enhance operational performance and improve the overall customer experience.
Within Continent 8, we’re focused on how AI can help us deliver even greater value to customers. That includes improving operational efficiency, enhancing service delivery and creating smarter, more resilient technology environments. We also see significant opportunities to leverage AI across our global infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities, helping customers identify risks faster, respond more effectively to player queries and optimise their operations.
NEXT: Finally, when you reflect on your tenure several years from now, what would success look like to you?
MS: Success starts with our customers. If we continue helping customers achieve their goals and strengthen our position as a trusted long-term partner, that will be a significant measure of success.
Equally important is creating an environment where our people can thrive and develop. Great organisations are built by great teams, and I’m committed to ensuring Continent 8 remains a place where talent, innovation and collaboration flourish.
Ultimately, I would like to look back and see a business that has continued to grow, continued to innovate and continued to build on the remarkable legacy that Michael and the team have created, while positioning itself for even greater success in the years ahead.
We have an exceptional foundation, a world-class team and a tremendous opportunity ahead of us. I’m incredibly excited about the future of Continent 8.