I’m thrilled to sit down with Octave Klaba, the visionary founder of OVHcloud, who has recently taken on the dual role of Chairman and CEO. With a career dedicated to shaping the cloud computing landscape and championing European values in technology, Octave brings unparalleled insight into the industry’s rapid evolution. In this conversation, we dive into the motivations behind unifying leadership roles at OVHcloud, the ambitious five-year ‘Step Ahead’ Strategic Plan, and how the company aims to navigate market challenges while staying true to its core principles of openness and transparency. We also explore his vision for serving a diverse customer base and the importance of a European focus in a global market.
Can you walk us through what prompted the decision to combine the roles of Chairman and CEO at OVHcloud?
Certainly. The decision to unify these roles came from a need to streamline our approach in a fast-moving industry. Cloud computing is evolving at an incredible pace, with new technologies and customer expectations emerging constantly. The Board felt that having a single leader overseeing both the strategic vision and operational execution would create a tighter alignment. This allows us to make quicker decisions and adapt to market shifts more effectively. It’s about ensuring that our long-term goals and day-to-day actions are perfectly in sync, especially as we embark on a transformative period for OVHcloud.
How did you personally feel about stepping into this dual role, and what drives you to take on this challenge?
I’m truly honored and excited to take on this responsibility. I founded OVHcloud with a passion for building accessible, high-performing infrastructure, and this role gives me the chance to directly shape our future while staying close to the operational heartbeat of the company. My drive comes from a desire to see OVHcloud not just keep up with the industry but lead it, especially in areas like data sovereignty and transparency. Balancing both roles is demanding, but I’m committed to ensuring that our vision translates into actionable results by staying deeply involved with our teams and customers.
Can you share some insights into the new five-year Strategic Plan, ‘Step Ahead,’ and what it aims to achieve?
Absolutely. ‘Step Ahead’ is our roadmap for 2026-2030, and it’s built on the foundation of the massive investments we’ve made over the past decade in data centers and software. The plan focuses on accelerating our growth in cloud and AI solutions while delivering even greater value to our customers. We aim to enhance scalability, security, and innovation in our offerings, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can rely on us for their digital transformation. It’s also about creating sustainable value for our shareholders while staying true to our mission of empowering customers with choice and independence.
In what ways do you believe this unified governance structure will help OVHcloud stay agile in the fast-paced cloud market?
Unifying governance allows us to cut through layers of decision-making and respond to market dynamics with greater speed. For instance, as AI and hybrid cloud solutions become critical for businesses, we can quickly align our vision with execution to roll out cutting-edge services. This structure fosters a direct connection between where we want to go and how we get there, whether it’s addressing competitive pressures or seizing new opportunities. It ensures that every move we make is purposeful and tied to the broader trends shaping the industry.
Reflecting on the past, how would you describe the impact of Benjamin Revcolevschi’s tenure as CEO?
Benjamin played a pivotal role in strengthening OVHcloud during his time as CEO. One standout achievement was how he bolstered our operational efficiency and enhanced our credibility on the international stage, even amidst challenging global conditions. His leadership helped solidify our commercial and institutional presence, which is a strong foundation for us to build on. I’m grateful for his contributions, and I plan to carry forward that momentum by focusing on innovation and customer trust as we move into the next chapter.
OVHcloud often highlights its commitment to European values in technology. Can you elaborate on what that means to you?
To me, European values in technology are about prioritizing openness, reversibility, and transparency. It means designing solutions that give customers freedom—freedom to choose, to move their data without lock-in, and to trust that their information is handled with the highest standards of privacy. In a global cloud market dominated by a few giants, maintaining a European focus is crucial because it offers an alternative that aligns with strict data protection regulations and cultural expectations around sovereignty. It’s about empowering users with control over their digital future.
Who do you see as OVHcloud’s core customers, and how do you tailor solutions to meet their diverse needs?
Our customer base is incredibly varied, spanning from digital startups just getting off the ground to large corporations undergoing massive digital expansions. For startups, we focus on providing affordable, scalable solutions that let them grow without breaking the bank. For larger enterprises, it’s about delivering robust, secure infrastructure and customized support to handle complex workloads. The challenge lies in balancing these needs, but we address it by maintaining a flexible ecosystem that can adapt to different requirements while ensuring reliability and performance across the board.
Looking ahead, what is your forecast for the future of the cloud computing industry?
I believe the cloud computing industry is on the cusp of even more transformative change over the next decade. We’ll see deeper integration of AI and machine learning into cloud services, making them smarter and more predictive for businesses. Data sovereignty will become an even bigger focus as governments and companies prioritize control over their information. I also expect hybrid and multi-cloud environments to dominate as organizations seek flexibility. For OVHcloud, my forecast is that we’ll play a leading role in shaping this future by staying committed to innovation and customer empowerment, ensuring we’re not just adapting to trends but driving them.