Inside Data Centre Podcast

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In the first episode of a new series recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes, Andy Davis is joined by co-host Rory Flashman from Spa Communications to explore one of the biggest talking points in the data centre industry: neo clouds, AI infrastructure and the next phase of digital infrastructure growth. 

Joining the conversation: 

David Bloom, Kao Data 

Pete Hill, CUDO Compute 

Together, they unpack what neo cloud actually means, how GPU-driven infrastructure is reshaping the market, and why the relationship between hyperscalers, cloud providers and emerging AI infrastructure companies is more complementary than many people assume. 

The discussion also looks at how AI workloads are changing data centre design, from density and cooling to power, floor loading and long-term flexibility. With technology moving quickly and facilities expected to operate for decades, the conversation highlights the engineering challenge of building infrastructure that can support both today’s demand and tomorrow’s unknowns. 

Recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes. 

Key Topics: 

• What neo cloud means and why the term has become central to AI infrastructure 
• How GPU-led AI workloads differ from traditional cloud infrastructure 
• Whether neo clouds are disrupting hyperscalers or complementing them 
• The impact of AI on data centre design, density, cooling and power requirements 
• Why the UK can remain competitive in the AI infrastructure market 
• The difference between training and inference workloads, and where the UK may have an advantage 
• Why power availability, energy cost and grid capacity remain major constraints 
• How local engagement and community benefit can improve public understanding of data centre development 
• The growing capital requirements behind AI data centre projects 
• Why delivery, reliability and consistency still matter more than headline-grabbing announcements 

Tune in for a lively conversation on how AI is reshaping the data centre market, what neo clouds mean for the wider industry, and why the next phase of growth will depend on power, partnerships, local engagement and the ability to deliver. 

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 Jim Hart, Co-Founder and CEO of BCS, for his fifth appearance on the show. They dig into the findings of BCS's latest report, Data Center Truths 2026, exploring the growing gap between demand and the industry's capacity to deliver, from a projected 600,000 FTE workforce shortfall to power timelines stretching 8–12 years in parts of Europe. 

Key Topics: 

• Why data centres must be treated as critical infrastructure, not just tech assets 
• The 600,000 worker deficit threatening the global delivery pipeline 
• How supply chain control is becoming a key competitive differentiator 
• Tier-two markets and Africa emerging as the next growth frontiers 
• The PR problem: why the industry needs to lead with benefits, not billions 
• Rethinking delivery models through prefabrication, automation, and collaboration 

Tune in for a candid, data-driven conversation on what it will really take to keep pace with demand. 

Download the report here - Data Centre Truths 2026 | What It Takes to Deliver in 2026

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 Ben Baldieri, Founder of 'The GPU Newsletter. The pair dive into the explosive growth of the Neo cloud market, the widening gap between what's announced and what's actually delivered, and why the shape of data centre demand is shifting fast. from gigawatt training campuses to smaller, inference-focused deployments. 

Key Topics: 

• Neo cloud revenue hitting $25 billion with 223% year-on-year growth 
• The gap between headline announcements and actual project execution 
• "Time to gas" replacing "time to power" as the key investor metric 
• Financialization of compute creating a maturing new asset class 
• Customer churn at hyperscale, who can back 400MW commitments? 
• Inference demand driving interest in smaller, urban data centre deployments 
• Private equity moving into edge-scale infrastructure at pace 
• Why community engagement and public perception still lag behind growth 
• The AI education gap, and why employers need to give people time to learn 

Tune in for a sharp, honest conversation about where the market actually is versus where the press releases say it is. 

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, AVK VP of Marketing Giuseppe Caltabiano turns the tables on Andy Davis to discuss his ever growing data center community. 

Sitting at the centre of the data centre industry with 70,000+ followers and the founder of Data Centre Club, Andy Davis takes us through the importance of a community and the journey he is on in continuously building his network. From DCC's inception to spin off communities such as Data Centre Marketing Club, he speaks about the progression and the future of the data centre industry.

Key topics covered in this episode are:

• The process of starting a community, Data Centre Club, from scratch and the benefit to members.
• The multi-faceted approach to building a personal brand, as well as a community. The Data Centre News newsletter, for example.
• The progression of a community, and the value in physical connection when making industry relationships.
• The future of the community.
• The value of fresh perspectives coming into the data centre industry – talent from other industries brings a new point of view.

You can watch the interview here - Turning Conversations into Community - AVK – Innovative power solutions

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 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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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