From rescuing RedBus from bankruptcy to selling it for £3.5 billion, and pioneering sustainability in data centres, Mike’s achievements are testament to the power of his visionary thinking, fearless decision-making and relentless execution.

Now board chairman and non-executive for numerous companies and a leading voice on tech investment, private equity, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship, Mike shares the story behind his success, as well as his unique philosophy on integrating work, life and charity.

In this article, we give you a snapshot of the topics Mike covered in conversation with Marc, as well as key advice for young professionals navigating their early careers, team leaders and entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship with Impact

Mike’s career began at 16, repairing robotics for Rockwell. After several years working in tech roles across Europe, he returned to the UK just as the dot-com bubble burst in 2001, and found himself at RedBus, a data centre company on the brink of collapse. Although he had no prior knowledge of the sector, Mike knew that urgent change was needed and challenged the management team.

What followed was a bold turnaround with Mike at the helm of a revitalised team which took RedBus private, as well as overseeing its merger with Telecity and stock market re-listings, before eventually selling the business for £3.5 billion. “It was good timing, a bit of hustle, and a lot of luck,” Mike says modestly.  However, as Marc points out, it was also down to Mike’s vision, courage and bold leadership.

Sustainability Before It Was Mainstream

Long before ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) was mainstream, Mike was pioneering sustainable practices in the data centre industry. Recognising the sector’s enormous energy consumption, he implemented innovative solutions, such as using excess heat to warm nearby hospitals.

“It wasn’t just lip service,” Mike explains. “It was about doing good with the outcomes of what we do.” His efforts earned him the Gold Standard from the Green Grid Global Consortium and helped set a precedent for environmental responsibility in tech infrastructure.

Choosing the Right People and Business Path

Since stepping away from corporate life in 2014, Mike has taken on several non-executive and chairman roles. His criteria for getting involved with any business is clear: it must have a “right to win” and its people must have the right attitude.

Mike explains that he avoids negativity and surrounds himself with solution-orientated thinkers. “I can train skills, but I can’t train attitude,” he says, whilst describing his leadership style as “hands-on-hands-off” – getting the right team in place at the start and then trusting them to deliver after.

Philanthropy as a Way of Life

Mike and his wife Shalina are philanthropists and deeply committed to giving back. From running 40 marathons in 40 days to raise millions for The Prince’s Trust to sleeping rough to support homelessness charities, their approach is creative, impactful, and deeply personal.

During the pandemic, Shalina launched a series of supper clubs featuring Michelin-starred chefs and keynote speakers to raise funds for charitable causes, including Teens Unite. “We do all the work and try to maximise the return,” Mike explains. “It’s about making it easy for people to give and making it memorable.”

Leadership Through Empowerment

Mike’s first book, Forget Strategy, Get Results, reflects his belief that leaders should create leaders and empower their teams to take risks, learn from failure, and grow. “If people are confident and not afraid to fail, production goes through the roof,” he says.

Even today, Mike continues to work with many of the same team he led in the early 2000s. “They feel like a proper family,” he says, recounting a memorable team-building experience involving diving with sharks; a metaphor for facing fear and embracing growth.

Work-Life Integration, Not Balance

Mike’s mantra – Live, Love, Work, Prosper – is a philosophy of integration. “If you’re driven, you’ll fail at one or the other if you try to balance,” he says. “But you don’t need to compromise – you need to integrate.”

His advice is especially relevant for young professionals navigating demanding careers and family life. Through his writing and public speaking, Mike offers practical guidance on how to thrive without sacrificing what matters most.

A Relationship Built on Trust

At SRLV, Marc and his team have worked with Mike for over a decade. It’s a relationship built on trust, empathy, and a shared commitment to excellence. “You either become friends with the people you work with, or it doesn’t work,” Mike says.

Our team understand his long-term goals, family dynamics, and values, which informs every piece of advice we give him; ensuring it’s not just technically sound but personally aligned. For Mike, this added pre-thought is essential. For us, it’s simply how we work.

Final Thoughts

Mike Tobin’s story is one of resilience, vision, and generosity. It’s a reminder that success is not just about strategy; it’s about people, purpose, and passion. At SRLV, we’re proud to support clients like him, who embody these values and inspire us to do our best work every day.

Want to listen to the full episode? Check out Mike and Marc’s episode here to discover further entrepreneurial stories and lessons.

 

Not Just A Number Podcast

SRLV’s Not Just a Number is for entrepreneurs, creatives and industry pioneers who want to grow businesses and protect what matters most to them and to their families.

Each episode’s candid conversation focuses on personal stories, business strategies, leadership, top tips and trends – from scaling up companies and international relocations to creative rights and real-world business growth.

Whether they are clients or professional contacts, all our guests are shaping global industries and friends of our business. As with everyone we work with, they are really not “just a number”.

To find out more about Not Just A Number and discover our episode catalogue, click here.

 

This material is published for the information of clients and contacts. It provides only an overview of the regulations in force at the date of publication, and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed legislation or seeking professional advice. Therefore, no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material can be accepted by the authors or SRLV LLP.