Xtremepush appoints Ciaran Lacey as new CTO

Xtremepush, an established global leader in AI-powered CRM, gamification, and loyalty marketing, has announced the appointment of Ciaran Lacey as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The strategic leadership change is part of the company’s broader plan to accelerate international expansion, enhance its AI-driven offerings, and solidify its position in key regulated industries such as iGaming and financial services.

Lacey officially joined the executive team in October 2025, bringing with him a wealth of experience from the financial services sector, where he previously held dual roles of Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer. He succeeds Kevin Collins, co-founder and former CTO of Xtremepush, who transitions to a new role as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Strengthening the leadership team for global expansion

Xtremepush’s decision to appoint Lacey represents a deliberate move to enhance its executive leadership structure and strengthen its operational capacity as the company enters a new phase of growth. With over 200 global clients, the firm continues to push boundaries in customer engagement through AI-powered marketing automation, data intelligence, and omnichannel communications.

Lacey’s appointment is viewed as a pivotal step toward ensuring the company’s technology strategy remains aligned with its ambitious business objectives. His track record in delivering scalable, secure, and compliant digital systems will be crucial as Xtremepush expands into new markets while maintaining its stronghold in iGaming and financial services.

Tommy Kearns, CEO and co-founder at Xtremepush, expressed strong confidence in the appointment:

“Ciaran joins Xtremepush with a stellar CV that demonstrates success in company growth, technical prowess, and strategic vision within challenging, highly-regulated markets; this appointment is exactly what we need to cement our ambitious growth plans in the coming months.

Bringing Ciaran in has allowed for my fellow co-founder Kevin Collins to shift into his new role as COO where I’m excited to work alongside him in a much more immediate capacity, while we now have a much stronger, rounded leadership team as a whole, with deep departmental and multi-sector expertise.”

A new phase driven by technology and AI innovation

Xtremepush is widely recognized for its integrated AI-powered CRM and marketing automation solutions, serving companies across multiple industries. As the firm continues to evolve, technology leadership has become increasingly critical to its success.

The company’s latest initiative — the development of a new Agentic AI solution — is currently undergoing beta testing with selected clients. This cutting-edge system aims to automate customer engagement strategies using intelligent decision-making algorithms, enhancing personalization and campaign efficiency for clients operating in competitive, data-driven sectors.

The rollout of this innovative platform will fall under Lacey’s remit. His mandate includes ensuring seamless integration of the new technology across Xtremepush’s service portfolio, while also overseeing the technical aspects of upcoming acquisitions and product integrations planned for 2026.

Transition of leadership and continuity of vision

While the appointment of a new CTO signifies a shift in leadership, it also underscores continuity in Xtremepush’s long-term strategic direction. Co-founder Kevin Collins, who co-developed the firm’s foundational technology, will continue to play a vital role in his new capacity as Chief Operating Officer.

This transition is expected to streamline operational functions and enhance collaboration across departments. The combination of Collins’s operational expertise and Lacey’s technological leadership provides Xtremepush with a balanced and capable executive team to guide its expansion strategy.

Lacey’s extensive background in technology and financial services

Ciaran Lacey brings an impressive professional background spanning several leading technology and financial firms. Trained as a software engineer, his early career included positions at global technology giants Dell and Microsoft, where he gained valuable experience in large-scale infrastructure and enterprise technology development.

He later transitioned to the financial services industry, taking on senior leadership roles that combined technology innovation with compliance and operational efficiency. At Hudson Advisors, the advisory arm of Lone Star Funds, he served as Head of Business Analytics and Technology, leading digital transformation initiatives and data-driven strategy development.

Most recently, Lacey held the joint roles of Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Carne Global Financial Services, where he oversaw technology modernization, cybersecurity frameworks, and enterprise architecture across multiple jurisdictions.

Driving compliance and innovation in regulated industries

Xtremepush’s focus on regulated sectors such as iGaming and financial services requires a deep understanding of compliance, security, and governance. Lacey’s background uniquely positions him to manage these challenges while fostering innovation and scalability.

The company’s technology platforms are designed to help clients maintain compliance with data protection and consumer engagement regulations, including those governing responsible gaming and financial conduct. Lacey is expected to strengthen these capabilities further through AI integration, cloud scalability, and enhanced data management protocols.

In his statement following the appointment, Lacey expressed enthusiasm for his new role and the opportunities ahead:

“Xtremepush is a name that has earned a strong reputation in this generation of Irish tech success stories, and with an already market-leading position in global iGaming CRM and gamification, I’m excited to assist in delivering a robust growth strategy for both product and new markets going forward.

Working with Tommy and the first-rate executive team at Xtremepush was a major pull. This is a company built on best practice and a progressive outlook. With exciting developments around Agentic AI and various plans to expand and improve our offering, I’m very confident in my remit and how it can play a significant role in our ongoing success.”

The growing influence of AI in CRM and gamification

As AI continues to transform the CRM and marketing technology landscape, companies such as Xtremepush are investing heavily in advanced analytics and machine learning to drive more effective customer engagement. AI-driven CRM systems enable real-time personalization, predictive behavior modeling, and automated campaign optimization — all of which are essential in competitive industries like iGaming.

Xtremepush’s innovation in Agentic AI represents a significant step forward in this domain. By incorporating autonomous intelligence that adapts to user behavior, the company aims to provide clients with powerful tools to improve retention and conversion metrics while reducing operational costs.

Lacey’s leadership will be central to ensuring the scalability and ethical implementation of these AI technologies, ensuring compliance with emerging AI governance standards and regional data privacy laws such as GDPR.

A strategic focus on sustainable and compliant growth

Under the leadership of Tommy Kearns, Kevin Collins, and Ciaran Lacey, Xtremepush is pursuing a strategy that balances innovation with regulatory compliance. The firm’s client base, which includes global blue-chip companies, relies on robust, secure, and compliant engagement technologies.

The company’s unified CRM platform integrates messaging, analytics, loyalty, and gamification tools, enabling businesses to execute personalized marketing campaigns across multiple channels — including mobile, web, email, and in-app. With the addition of AI capabilities, the platform’s potential is expected to grow substantially over the next year.

Lacey’s appointment signifies not only a reinforcement of the company’s technical leadership but also a commitment to sustainable global growth supported by innovation, compliance, and operational excellence.

Looking ahead: Future prospects for Xtremepush

As Xtremepush continues to scale its operations, the integration of advanced technologies such as Agentic AI, predictive analytics, and automation will remain central to its roadmap. Lacey’s experience in large-scale digital transformation projects will be instrumental in aligning these innovations with the company’s long-term goals.

The company’s immediate priorities include the rollout of the AI-powered CRM system, expansion into new regulated territories, and the seamless incorporation of newly acquired products and partnerships. With a strengthened executive team and renewed focus on technological excellence, Xtremepush appears well positioned to maintain its leadership in the global CRM and marketing automation industry.

Conclusion

Xtremepush’s appointment of Ciaran Lacey as Chief Technology Officer marks a decisive moment in the company’s evolution. It reflects not only a leadership transition but also a renewed focus on technological advancement, AI integration, and operational excellence. With Lacey’s proven expertise in technology transformation and his deep understanding of compliance within regulated industries, Xtremepush is positioning itself for sustainable global growth.

As the company continues to innovate through its Agentic AI initiative and expand its reach in the iGaming and financial services sectors, the strengthened leadership team—comprising CEO Tommy Kearns, COO Kevin Collins, and CTO Ciaran Lacey—is poised to drive forward an ambitious yet balanced strategy. Their combined experience in innovation, operations, and governance ensures that Xtremepush will not only sustain its market leadership but also set new standards for responsible, data-driven customer engagement in the years ahead.

FAQs

What is Xtremepush known for?
Xtremepush is recognized for its AI-driven CRM, gamification, and loyalty marketing solutions used by global clients across industries, including iGaming and finance.

Who is Ciaran Lacey?
Ciaran Lacey is the newly appointed Chief Technology Officer at Xtremepush, with previous experience in senior technology roles across financial and technology sectors.

What role did Kevin Collins assume after the leadership change?
Kevin Collins, co-founder and former CTO of Xtremepush, transitioned into the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO).

What is the Agentic AI solution?
Agentic AI is Xtremepush’s next-generation artificial intelligence platform designed to automate and personalize CRM and marketing engagement.

How many clients does Xtremepush serve globally?
Xtremepush currently provides services to more than 200 clients worldwide across various regulated and non-regulated industries.

When did Ciaran Lacey officially join Xtremepush?
He officially joined the company’s executive team in October 2025.

What industries does Xtremepush primarily serve?
The company primarily operates in iGaming, financial services, retail, and digital marketing sectors.

What responsibilities will Ciaran Lacey have as CTO?
Lacey will oversee the company’s technology strategy, AI innovation, and integration of new products and acquisitions.

Why is Lacey’s appointment significant for Xtremepush?
His appointment strengthens Xtremepush’s executive team and provides technological leadership for its next phase of international growth.

What are Xtremepush’s future goals?
Xtremepush aims to expand globally, enhance its AI-powered CRM solutions, and remain a trusted technology provider in regulated markets.