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In this episode, Andy Davis is joined by co-host Pieter Schaap, Director at Soben (Part of Accenture) to discuss the fact that with RFS timelines shrinking to 12-14 months from construction start, the data centre industry is operating at unprecedented speed.  

But where are the real bottlenecks?  

Joining the discussion:  

Miriam van Kooperen, GreenScale 

Luc Spin, Unica Datacenters 

Together, they explore supply chain constraints, power and infrastructure pressures, and the creative strategies emerging to meet aggressive timelines.  

Recorded live at Kickstart Europe 2026  

Topics: 

• The impact of supply chain bottlenecks on data center project timelines 
• Strategies for building effective supplier partnerships amid uncertainty 
• The role of standardization versus customization in hardware procurement 
• Modularization as a solution for accelerating delivery and reducing risks 
• The influence of sustainability and innovation on procurement decisions 
• How market dynamics have shifted from buyer’s market to high-demand environment 
• The importance of transparency, collaboration, and early planning in project success 
• Quick-fire insights: procurement approaches, balancing deadlines and budgets, and industry collaborations 

https://sobencc.com/ 

https://greenscaledc.com/ 

https://www.unica.nl/expertises/datacenters  

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 this episode, Andy Davis is joined by co-host Pieter Schaap, Director at Soben (Part of Accenture) to explore how European data centre markets are evolving.   

Joining the conversation:  

JP Anten, Mainova Webhouse 

Edgar van Essen, Switch Datacenters  

Together, they discuss regional differences in market behaviour, evolving approaches to permitting, power and fibre, and how project development dynamics have changed over time.  

Recorded live at Kickstart Europe 2026 

Key Topics: 

• The future of sustainable data centers, emphasizing green heat reuse and renewable energy sources 
• Challenges and opportunities in expanding data center operations across Europe, especially in Frankfurt and Amsterdam 
• Strategies for talent acquisition, retention, and fostering entrepreneurial culture in a fast-moving industry 
• Impact of geopolitical shifts on sovereign clouds and international data trends 
• Innovative business models like third-party leasing, modular growth, and space-based data centers 

https://switchdatacenters.com/  

https://mainova-webhouse.com/  

https://sobencc.com/  

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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Is Germany’s data centre market on the brink of an AI-driven transformation?  

In this episode, Andy Davis is joined by co-host Pieter Schaap, Director at Soben (Part of Accenture) to explore how AI is reshaping Europe’s data centre landscape, with a focus on Germany and the Netherlands.  

From Frankfurt to Amsterdam, they discuss whether traditionally enterprise-led markets are evolving to support high-density AI workloads - and what that means for future growth.  

Joining the conversation are:  

Dr. Béla Waldhauser, Telehouse Germany 

Konstantin Hartmann, NTT Global Data Centers  

Key Topics Covered: 

• Impact of recent acquisitions and industry activity (KKR, Singtail, STT Global) 
• Germany’s role in AI and hyperscale data centers amid power and regulation challenges 
• Regional market differences: Netherlands vs. Germany in digital infrastructure tourism and policy 
• AI’s bifurcation: training in Nordic regions vs. inference in nearby European regions 
• Speed and scalability of NeoCloud and modular data centers in Europe 
• Sustainability initiatives: energy efficiency laws, green hydrogen, and greenwashing concerns 
• Community engagement and education to reduce industry stigma 
• The importance of global collaboration, data sovereignty, and cross-border AI initiatives 

Resources & Links: 

https://www.telehouse-rechenzentrum.de/ 

https://services.global.ntt/ 

https://sobencc.com/  

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 this episode of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, Andy Davis is joined by Matt Brown, Senior Director of Design Delivery at Equinix, and Andrew Higgins, Senior Director of Global Master Planning and Sustainability at Equinix.

They explore how Equinix builds and sustains high-performance teams across global design and construction. Matt and Andrew share career journeys that span engineering, consultancy, leadership, and international project delivery, and they break down how culture, collaboration, talent development, and sustainability shape the way Equinix operates at scale.

Key Topics:

• How diverse backgrounds strengthen global design and construction teams
• Creating alignment across regions, time zones, and cultures
• Mentorship, coaching, and career mobility inside Equinix
• Leadership behaviours that drive autonomy, trust, and well-being
• Why innovation and sustainability motivate high-performing teams
• What makes Equinix’s culture distinct in a competitive industry

Tune in for a candid look at how Equinix nurtures people, builds leadership, and delivers global projects at pace.

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 this episode of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, Andy Davis is joined by Richard Ludwig, Director of Digital Infrastructure at Elantra. Richard breaks down the major financial and M&A activity that shaped 2025, from early market wobbles caused by DeepSeek and Microsoft lease cancellations to record-breaking deals, including the $40 billion Cyline acquisition. They also explore what's driving continued investment in 2026 and beyond.

Key Topics:

• Why 2025 saw the largest data centre M&A deal ever at $40BN.
• Enterprise colo making a comeback as hyperscale valuations price out mid-market funds.
• Neo clouds emerging as a new category of customer alongside hyperscalers.
• Power constraints, AI growth zones, and the UK's pricing challenges.
• Full stack acquisitions and Middle East expansion trends for 2026.
• Why flashy megawatt announcements aren't always what they seem.

Tune in for a sharp, insider look at where the money's flowing, and where it's heading next.

Download the report here - Alantra 2025 Data Centre M&A Review - DataX Connect

Learn more about Alantra - Alantra | Possibility is in the ascent

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 this episode of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, Andy Davis is joined by Waleed Zafar, Chief Revenue Officer at XYZ Reality. They look back on a pivotal year for the data centre sector and unpack how rapid demand, rising capex and global talent shortages are reshaping construction. Waleed also shares how XYZ Reality’s technology is influencing delivery models at scale and helping major developers execute faster across global portfolios.

Key Topics:
 • Why 2025 became the year of execution for hyperscale data centre builds
 • How talent shortages are slowing delivery and driving adoption of new technology
 • The impact of real-time, objective field data on decision making and productivity
 • Case study: 408 days saved and $130M commercial impact across a seven-project portfolio
 • Lessons from global deployments and how clients benchmark productivity across regions
 • Rising capex, shifting geographic demand and what this means heading into 2026
 • Why modular works in pockets, and where flexibility still demands traditional build methods

Tune in to hear Waleed’s view on what 2026 will reveal about who can truly execute at scale in the data centre race.

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 this episode of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, Andy Davis is joined by Tim Heidel, CEO and Co-Founder of VEIR. Tim shares how his background in electrical engineering, MIT, ARPA-E, and Breakthrough Energy led him to tackling the sector’s toughest power delivery challenges. The conversation centres on the scale of the data centre power crisis, why infrastructure can’t keep up, and how Veir’s superconducting technology aims to change what’s possible.

Key Topics:

• Why data centre power demand is set to more than double by 2030
• How megawatt-scale racks are transforming power delivery inside facilities
• The limits of copper and aluminium cables as densities and distances grow
• What Veir’s superconducting technology achieves at low and medium voltage
• How their 3 MW live demo proves readiness for real-world deployment
• Why speed, labour shortages and safety drive interest in new solutions
• The growing need for flexible, future-proof data centre design

Tune in to hear Tim’s outlook on power, grid expansion, and how the industry can rethink long-held assumptions to meet unprecedented demand.

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 this second special live edition of the Inside Data Centre Podcast - or as we called it for the night, the Pubcast - hosts Andy Davis and Rory Flashman-Wells bring together a panel of senior leaders from across the data centre industry for an open, unfiltered discussion recorded in front of a live pub audience of over 100 people. 

Held in a buzzing pub setting, this episode features a conversation with Scott Smyth, Soben, and John McGee, Durata.

This isn’t your typical conference panel, it’s real conversation about attracting new talent to the Data Center sector, live from the heart of the community. 

Check out our sponsors: 

• Apto 
• AVK 
• Durata 
• DataX Connect 
• National Data Centre Day 
• Spa Communications 

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

Send us Fan Mail

In this special live edition of the Inside Data Centre Podcast - or as we called it for the night, the Pubcast - hosts Andy Davis and Rory Flashman-Wells bring together a panel of senior leaders from across the data centre industry for an open, unfiltered discussion recorded in front of a live pub audience of over 100 people. 

Held in a buzzing pub setting, this episode features a conversation with Russell Poole, Apto, and Paul Hood, AVK. 

This isn’t your typical conference panel, it’s real conversation about the changing perception of the Data Center sector, live from the heart of the community. 

Check out our sponsors: 

• Apto 
• AVK 
• Durata 
• DataX Connect 
• National Data Centre Day 
• Spa Communications 

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 this second episode of our special series with Equinix, host Andy Davis sits down with Alex Setmajer, Sustainability manager in Global Design and Construction team, to explore how water is becoming a key factor in the future of digital infrastructure.

Alex explains how Equinix manages water use across regions, adopts reclaimed sources, and makes choices that support both ecosystems and local communities.

Key topics: 

• The growing importance of water in data centre planning and operations
• How local environmental factors shape infrastructure choices
• Innovative approaches to water reuse and conservation
• Common misconceptions about water consumption in tech
• How Equinix balances performance with ecological responsibility

This episode offers a fresh perspective on how sustainability and operational excellence can go hand in hand, especially when it comes to one of our planet’s most vital resources.

Learn more about Equinix here - Data Center Company & Enterprise Network Technologies | Equinix

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