Inside Data Centre Podcast

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In the first episode of a new special series recorded live at The Xcelerated Compute Show 2026 at the Business Design Centre in London, Andy Davis is joined once again by co-host Rory Flashman from Spa Communications to explore the rapidly evolving AI infrastructure market, with a particular focus on the UK and Europe. 
Joining the conversation: 
Dr. Manesh Patel, Head of Data Center Development, Radiant 
Michael Beagan, Managing Director, TES Power 
Together, they discuss where Europe can compete in the global race to build AI infrastructure, from its engineering and manufacturing expertise to the opportunities presented by brownfield industrial sites, transferable skills and new approaches to data centre construction. 
Manesh explores how the requirements of AI infrastructure are changing traditional site selection. As suitable land and available grid connections become harder to secure, existing industrial buildings and powered brownfield sites are becoming increasingly attractive. The conversation looks at the potential of “box within a box” developments, where existing structures can be repurposed to accelerate deployment and reduce planning requirements. 
Michael also discusses the shift from constructing data centres almost entirely on site towards manufacturing more of the infrastructure off site. With speed now becoming one of the first questions customers ask, modularisation, prefabrication and greater supply chain integration are increasingly important to delivering capacity at scale. 
The discussion then turns to people. From Northern Ireland’s engineering and manufacturing heritage to apprenticeships, transferable skills and the UK’s AI Growth Zones, the guests explore how the industry can develop the workforce required to support the next generation of compute infrastructure. 
Finally, the conversation looks ahead to rising rack densities, changing power architectures and the technical challenges created by pushing significantly more power into increasingly dense AI environments. 
Recorded live at The Xcelerated Compute Show 2026 in London. 
Key Topics: 
Europe’s advantages in the global AI infrastructure market 
Brownfield sites and the changing approach to data centre development 
Off-site manufacturing, modularisation and faster deployment 
Northern Ireland’s role in data centre power infrastructure 
Apprenticeships, transferable skills and the industry’s talent challenge 
AI Growth Zones and the UK’s ability to scale 
Rising rack densities and changing power requirements 
Why supply chain collaboration will be critical to future growth 
Tune in for a wide-ranging conversation on what Europe needs to compete in AI infrastructure, why speed, skills and power are becoming increasingly interconnected, and how new approaches to development and manufacturing could help the UK and wider European market scale for the AI era. 
Support the show
The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.
To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

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In the seventh and final episode of our special series recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes, Inside Data Centre brings you a special recording of a Data Centre Marketing Club panel. 
Hosted by Rory Flashman, Managing Director of Spa Communications and co-founder of the Data Centre Marketing Club, the discussion brings together marketing and communications leaders from across the data centre industry to explore how the sector can tell its story more clearly, engage communities more effectively and build stronger brands. 
Joining the conversation: 
Anne Katrine Vestergaard Jensen, VP of Marketing, Vern 
Andy Davis, Co-Founder, Data Centre Marketing Club 
Nicola Allen, Marketing Director, Techoraco 
Agnese Barazza, Senior Marketing and Communications Manager, GARBE Data Centers 
Together, the panel discusses why community engagement has become one of the most important topics in the data centre industry, and why operators, developers, suppliers and communications teams need to work together to improve public understanding of the sector. 
The conversation explores how the industry can move beyond talking to itself, listen more closely to local communities and explain the value of data centres in a clearer, more human way. The panel also looks at the importance of brand differentiation, employer branding, talent attraction and the role of events such as Datacloud in bringing the right people together to share best practice. 
From tackling misinformation and improving media engagement to moving away from defensive messaging and telling more honest, accessible stories, this episode highlights the important role marketers and communicators will play in shaping the future reputation of the data centre industry. 
Recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes. 
Key Topics: 
Why community engagement has become a critical issue for data centre development 
How the industry can work together to tell a more joined-up story 
Why data centres need to stop talking only to themselves 
The role of listening in building trust with local communities 
How events can bring marketers, operators, investors, policymakers and suppliers together 
Why brand differentiation matters in a fast-growing and increasingly crowded market 
How Vern approached its rebrand around natural intelligence and renewable power 
How GARBE Data Centers is evolving its story for AI inference and urban data centre development 
Why employer branding needs to be treated as its own strategic priority 
How personal branding can help attract talent and build trust 
Why Datacloud’s talent programme is helping bring new people into the industry 
How the sector can improve its reputation by being more open, honest and less defensive 
Why marketers should be curious, collaborate more and take the industry story outside the data centre community 
Tune in for a thoughtful final conversation from Cannes on how the data centre industry can improve its storytelling, build stronger trust with communities and help more people understand the critical role digital infrastructure plays in modern life. 
Support the show
The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.
To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

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In the sixth episode of our series recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes, Andy Davis is once again joined by co-host Rory Flashman from Spa Communications for a special episode reflecting on the event itself. 
Joining the conversation: 
Annabel Helm, Managing Director, Datacloud 
Leanne Starace, Senior Vice President, Equinix 
Together, they discuss the scale, impact and continued growth of Datacloud Global Congress, which welcomed 6,500 attendees, 7,000 registrations and almost 3,000 CEOs on site in 2026. 
The conversation explores how the event has evolved into one of the most influential meeting points for the global data centre industry, bringing together operators, investors, developers, hyperscalers, suppliers, policymakers, finance leaders and new stakeholders from across the digital infrastructure ecosystem. 
Annabel shares how Datacloud has grown while maintaining its focus on influence, impact and high-quality networking, with new companies, new sectors and new decision-makers joining the conversation. Leanne also discusses the value of the event from an operator perspective, highlighting the importance of collaboration, transparent dialogue, innovation and deal-making across the industry. 
The episode also looks at the biggest themes from the show, including power, investment, nuclear, talent, community, AI, liquid cooling and the increasing importance of education as new sectors and stakeholders engage with the data centre market. 
Recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes. 
Key Topics: 
The scale of Datacloud Global Congress 2026 and its continued growth. 
Why the event is focused on influence and impact, not just size.
How the show brings together the full data centre ecosystem. 
The importance of transparent conversations around power, talent, investment and community. 
Why new stakeholders, including nuclear and finance leaders, are now part of the data centre conversation. 
How events like Datacloud help educate emerging sectors on digital infrastructure.
The value of networking, collaboration and deal-making on the show floor. 
Equinix’s perspective on global growth, customer engagement and AI-ready infrastructure. 
Why talent development and early-career engagement remain critical to the industry’s future. 
How Datacloud is evolving for 2027, including expanded stages, new formats and more speakers. 
Why the data centre industry is no longer “the best industry nobody has heard of”. 
Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at Datacloud Global Congress 2026, why the event has become such an important platform for the global data centre industry, and what its growth says about the future of digital infrastructure. 
Support the show
The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.
To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

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In the fifth episode of our series recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes, Andy Davis is once again joined by co-host Rory Flashman from Spa Communications to explore one of the biggest themes running through this year’s event: community. 
Joining the conversation: 
Ilker Essener, Bulk Infrastructure 
Wes Cummins, Applied Digital 
Together, they discuss why community engagement has become a central part of data centre development, and why the industry can no longer afford to treat it as an afterthought. 
The conversation explores how data centre operators can create long-term value in the regions where they build, from jobs and skills to tax revenue, infrastructure investment, apprenticeships and local supply chain opportunities. 
Wes shares Applied Digital’s experience of developing large-scale infrastructure in smaller US communities, including how data centres can support local economies, create high-quality technical careers, strengthen public services and help bring people back to rural towns. 
Ilker also discusses Bulk Infrastructure’s approach in Europe, highlighting the importance of local engagement, circular economy thinking, skills development and creating meaningful opportunities for communities throughout the development and operational lifecycle. 
The episode also looks at the importance of legacy, why listening to local communities matters, and how the industry can support education, vocational training and new career pathways as demand for data centre talent continues to grow. 
Recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes. 
Key Topics: 
Why community engagement is now central to data centre development 
How operators can create lasting value in the regions where they build 
The role of data centres in supporting rural and smaller communities 
How large-scale infrastructure can improve local tax bases, utilities, roads and schools 
Why technical jobs and career pathways matter for long-term local impact 
How Applied Digital is working with communities in North Dakota and Louisiana 
Bulk Infrastructure’s perspective on community value creation in Europe 
Why listening to local priorities is critical before development begins 
How operators can support apprenticeships, internships and vocational training 
The importance of shaping education and curriculum around future industry needs 
How offsite manufacturing and prefab models can still create local opportunity 
Why legacy should be part of every data centre development strategy 
Support the show
The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.
To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

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In the fourth episode of our series recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes, Andy Davis is once again joined by co-host Rory Flashman from Spa Communications to explore the rapid growth of the Gulf region as a major data centre market. 
Joining the conversation: 
Simon Young, Google 
Stephen Beard, Knight Frank 
Together, they discuss why the Middle East has become one of the most talked-about regions in digital infrastructure, and how government ambition, sovereign wealth, power availability and AI demand are helping to accelerate growth across the market. 
The conversation explores the role of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman in the region’s data centre development, as well as the opportunities and challenges that come with building at scale in a fast-moving market. 
Simon and Stephen also discuss the importance of leadership and long-term vision across the GCC, the impact of major AI initiatives, and why the region could become an increasingly important bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa. 
The episode also looks at how international operators and Middle Eastern developers are approaching expansion, the role of sovereign wealth funds, and what other markets, including the UK, could learn from the region’s ability to move quickly and reduce barriers to development. 
Recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes. 
Key Topics: 
Why the Gulf region has become a major data centre growth market 
How government leadership and national AI strategies are driving investment 
The role of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel as leading regional hubs 
Why power cost and availability are central to the region’s opportunity 
The potential for AI infrastructure growth in Kuwait, Oman and other emerging Gulf markets 
Why fibre connectivity and international transit remain important challenges 
How data centre design in the Middle East compares with Europe 
The impact of geopolitical uncertainty on investment decisions 
Why international operators are looking more closely at the region 
How Middle Eastern developers and sovereign wealth funds are expanding globally 
What the UK and other mature markets could learn from the Gulf’s speed of execution 
Why talent development and local workforce initiatives will be critical to long-term growth 
How AI adoption is changing the wider data centre and digital infrastructure conversation 
Tune in for an insightful conversation on how the Gulf region is positioning itself at the centre of the next wave of data centre and AI infrastructure growth, and why speed, capital, power and policy will all play a major role in shaping its future. 
Support the show
The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.
To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect