How did you come to be in the digital infrastructure industry?

I come from an architectural background and have spent about 20 years working in architecture. My first data centre project happened while I was completing my degree. I worked with Imagination Technologies designing a data centre as part of my final case study piece. This was something I could lead independently, helping me showcase my skills as an architect.

In the years that followed I’ve worked on projects for a variety of different industries and purposes. For the London Olympics I supported the IT team to deliver results, timing, and scoring rooms for the test events in 2011. I’ve also worked on schools, student accommodation, science labs, and retail. All of which require meticulous attention to specifications and must integrate considerations like fire safety, acoustics, and structural integrity.

More recently, working with MCa in Nottingham, I worked with Kao Data to deliver KLON-2. That project was like my baby as I was involved from start to finish and something I was very proud of. Today I’m working for RPS to lead a multidisciplinary team on the design of a hyperscale data centre campus. Whilst doing the day-to-day, I assist the team with feasibility studies for prospective DC sites. Data centres bring their unique set of challenges and opportunities, so it’s an exciting industry to work in.

How did you join the digital infrastructure industry?

The way I got involved in the digital infrastructure industry happened organically through exposure during my previous role at a University Technical College, UTC Heathrow. At the time, I was managing an initiative called the Digital Futures Programme, designed to bridge the gap between students and a career in the digital infrastructure industry. My role involved organising workshops and inviting industry professionals to campus to give students a real insight into what happens inside data centres. There was a strong focus on revealing the exciting but unseen career paths available for the younger generation within the sector.

I knew that staying in education wasn’t my endgame and whilst on my search an opportunity presented itself at LMG, which opened the door to a trainee position in project management.

The transition has been seamless. LMG’s commitment has equipped me with a diverse skill set which has enabled me for future success, through various courses. It has not been just about mastering the technical details but also honing my skills in project management. The training has given me the essential tools and techniques that will be critical to my success moving forward.

What drew you to the digital infrastructure industry?

The digital infrastructure industry is my third career pivot. Initially, I started in sales, progressing from field sales to sales and marketing directorships. I developed a knack for handling challenging accounts and situations because I had an innate ability to say no, but then quickly find an alternative that worked for both the company and the client.

This skill in reframing situations led me into turnaround roles, where I focused on merging parts of a business or improving profitability.

After several strenuous assignments, I realised I needed a change from the all-encompassing environment of business turnarounds to something more operational. Despite my extensive experience, making the move into a direct operational role proved challenging as no one would interview me because I didn’t have direct experience in the role. Frustrated but determined, I decided to go the self-employed route, gaining project management qualifications and engaging in various consulting roles that ranged from sales and leadership training to more traditional consulting projects across several industries.

Can you share your journey into the data centre industry?

What drew me to this field initially was the operational excellence aspect of the work, which I found really interesting.

In data centres, you’re constantly on high alert because so many things need to function perfectly at all times. The risk of something failing is significant, and managing these risks effectively requires a tight-knit team and a dynamic approach.

This environment, where operational excellence is critical, and the pace is fast, really appealed to me.

I enjoyed the team spirit and the dynamic nature of the industry, which is rapidly evolving and attracting a lot of interest. In 2019, I joined Gyron, which shortly thereafter became part of NTT Global Data Centres due to a major merger. However, as NTT transitioned into a vast global entity, I felt the need to be part of a smaller, more agile organization where I could have a more impactful role.

That’s when I moved to Kao Data. Kao Data is still in the earlier stages of its growth, and that’s exciting because it allows me to be more involved and help shape the direction of the company.

The opportunity to join Kao Data came at just the right time, and I was very happy to accept it, looking forward to contributing to and growing with the company in this vibrant industry.

How did you get into the tech industry?

I started with a degree in geography, which had nothing to do with tech—it was just my favorite subject. My first job after university was as a trainee chartered accountant, but due to a recession at the time, my start date was delayed. I ended up doing temp work in a role at BT working on internal comms around sustainability and recycling.

After going back to accountancy to begin my trainee role, I realised very quickly it wasn’t the right fit for me. The experience at BT helped me recognise that I was good at comms, so I decided to pursue a career in PR.

I ended up in tech PR, largely due to the timing—the dot-com bubble was in full swing in 2000, and there were plenty of tech PR jobs. On the face of it, it wasn’t glamorous work compared to consumer or travel PR, but that’s how I stumbled into the industry. It was a steep learning curve, especially since it was B2B tech, which was complex and specific. But getting that job with Johnson King was a life-changing moment for me.