Inside Data Centre Podcast

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In this episode I am joined by Guy Willner, CEO and Chairman of IXcellerate and IXAfrica. Guy has had an amazing career in the data centre industry having developed a number of DC organisations across various regions. 

An interest in cars and engineering resulted in Guy taking a degree in engineering in the UK and following a few years of working in Cable TV Guy established IXEurope with a business partner. After securing major funding they went on to develop a highly successful data centre organisation that was acquired by Equinix. Guy then went on to hold senior roles within Equinix, Teraco, and various other data centre organisations.

After an opportunity presented itself Guy established IXcellerate in Russia which is now the 2nd largest data centre platform in Russia. We discuss the challenges of developing a company in Russia and the future plans for the company. 

We also discuss the challenges faced by the industry today and how we can manage these challenges as the industry rapidly expands.

If you want to know what it is like to establish a data centre organisation then this is a must listen!

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 I am joined by Richard Irwin, Business Development Director : Mission Critical at Structuretone. After graduating in engineering at the University of Dundee Richard made the move to a sales role and then a lucky break resulted in him entering the data centre industry.

We discuss why Richard pursued a career in engineering, how he ended up in a sales role, and how a lucky break resulted in a career in data centres. We discuss how he has developed a rounded career in the data centre industry and why he made the decision to join Structuretone.

We then look at the current challenges in the industry, the demands of the clients, the value of collaboration, and how Structuretone are taking a unified approach to delivering data centre projects across all regions. 

Richard has a well rounded view of the industry and he has an excellent understanding of clients demands in the current market.

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 I am joined by Todd Cushing, President of 1623 Farnam based in Omaha, US. Todd has spent his career in the data center industry and he is now responsible for a major interconnectivity facility in the US. 

We start by discussing how Todd started his career in the data center sector at the age of 16 and how he has worked in the industry ever since. We then discuss Todd's career path, the time he spent with CBRE, and the reasons for seeking a return to a role that allowed him to get his 'hands dirty'. 

Finally we discuss 1623 Farnam and the offering they provide within the US. Todd outlines the history of the building (it was once a bank), the challenges of developing a live multi-storey facility, and the importance of 1623 Farnam to connectivity in the US.

Todd has extensive experience in the data center sector and offers excellent advice to those looking to join the industry. Enjoy! 

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 I am joined by Muhammad Khan, Studio Director at Stephen George & Partners LLP. After graduating in architecture at the University of Strathclyde, Muhammad has gone on to develop a successful career in the industry and he now has a focus on mission critical projects. 

We discuss how Muhammad's enjoyment of art resulted in him pursuing a career in architecture, how he initially gained exposure to the data centre industry, and how the design of data centres continues to develop as the industry expands.

We then discuss Muhammad's role in mentoring the future generation of architects, how important this is to ensure knowledge is shared across the industry, and how we need to ensure that everyone is aware of the career opportunities within the data centre sector.

Muhammad is a great example of someone who is keen to ensure his knowledge is shared across the industry to future proof the talent working in the sector. The more we share, the more we learn!   

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 I am joined by Nigel Clarkson, Co-Founder and Global Head of Property at Stratus Data Centres. Nigel is a data centre entrepreneur with extensive experience developing facilities and platforms across the globe.

We discuss how Nigel left Australia to go backpacking across Europe and ended up joining British Telecom where he first gained exposure to data centres. We talk through Nigel's experience developing data centre platforms for major investors and how the industry has changed throughout his career.

Finally we discuss the plans for Stratus Data Centres and the challenges they face as they develop a major data centre platform across the world. We discuss the demands from the clients, the challenges faced in different locations, and how speed to market is essential in the current climate. 

This discussion gives a great insight into how the data centre industry has developed and the challenges faced when developing data centres in a data driven world.  

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 I am joined by Jen Reininger, Senior Consultant for ESD in the US. Jen has developed a successful career in the data center industry and is now in a position that has great exposure to the activity in the US and other global markets.

We discuss how Jen first entered the data center industry, how she worked her way up within Cyrus One, and why she made the decision to join ESD. We also look at diversity in the industry, how the approach to diversity has developed, and what the industry can do to attract a more diverse workforce.

Finally we discuss the data center market in the US and what challenges are currently faced by those organisations expanding in the region. 

This is a great open discussion about Jen's career and the challenges faced by the industry. Jen has an excellent perception of the industry and some great ideas on how the industry can adapt as it rapidly expands. 

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 I am joined by Phillip Marangella, Chief Marketing Officer for EdgeConneX.  Phillip has developed a highly successful career in the data center industry and he is now a senior leader in an organisation at the forefront of data center development across the US and Europe. We discuss how Phillip first entered the data centre industry, how his career has developed, and what the industry can do to attract more talent including a discussion around a college programme he helped to establish with the Infrastructure Masons. We also discuss the challenges faced by the industry around sustainability and improving user experience.

EdgeConneX are a dynamic and rapidly expanding organisation that now has a footprint across the US and in Europe. Phillip discusses how the organisation has evolved and what they are doing to maintain their position as a market leader.

Enjoy!

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 I am joined by Lee Kirby, Chairman and Co-Founder of Salute Mission Critical. Lee has led an amazing life having spent the majority of his life in the United States Army Reserve while also developing a successful career in data centers. Lee began his career in the military and then moved into the world of networking and data centers. After developing a successful career in the data center industry Lee then made the decision to form Salute Mission Critical. 

Salute Mission Critical was built by veterans for veterans and it offers an amazing opportunity for former military personnel to join the data center industry. We discuss the reasons why Lee established the organisation, the excellent training they provide, how they have adapted in the last 12 months, and what the future looks like for the company. Lee also provides some amazing examples of people who have benefited from his organisations great work. Lee also offers some excellent leadership advice that can help us all become better leaders.  Enjoy!

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 I am joined by David Davies, Associate for Arup in the critical systems division.  David graduated in engineering at the University of Cardiff and started his career with Arup. After working in the buildings division David gained exposure to data centres and he hasn't looked back.  We discuss why David chose a career in engineering, how he gained exposure to data centres, how the industry has evolved, and how he has established an in house training course to create the next generation of data centre design engineers. 

David has an excellent insight into the design and delivery element of data centres and his market leading training course is a great example of how the industry can adapt to create the engineers of the 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

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode I am joined by Ed Cooke, CEO and Managing Partner of Conexus Law. Ed trained in law at Cardiff University and followed in his fathers footsteps into the construction industry. He went on to develop a highly successful career in the legal side of construction and development, and this resulted in Ed establishing his own practice, Conexus Law. We discuss why Ed established his own specialist legal practise, what the main legal challenges are in the sector, what impact the pandemic has had on the industry, and his views on the future of the industry. Ed has a really unique insight of the data centre industry and he raises some excellent points on how we can all help to manage the challenges faced by the sector.

You can contact Ed on LinkedIn or via his company website - https://www.conexuslaw.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