DEEP DIVE

ABOUT LIFE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE OFFICE .

We ‘ Deep Dive ’ with Brandon Oliveri-O ’ Connor , Director of EMEA at Procore , who tells us about the bustling data centre industry , his experiences and life inside and outside the office .

What would you describe as your most memorable achievement in the data centre industry ?

I ’ m very new to the data centre industry and thankful to be a part of it .

That being said , it would be remiss not to call out the pivotal moment that opened my eyes to the industry and the opportunities ahead of us all – Procore being chosen as a trusted partner for one of the largest data centre owners / operators in Europe , Middle East and Africa ( EMEA ). We know that the increased demand for data centres puts huge pressure on data centre operators and developers , with the build being an exceptionally complex operation , leaving no scope for error or supply chain hitches .

This partnership has therefore helped us understand how construction platform technology can help address these challenges , reduce miscommunication , errors and rework ; eliminate delays and provide a consolidated view of the entire project . Consequently , this has allowed us to expand our skillset and unlock high-value potential for data centre projects . I am so proud to be part of such an agile and fast-growing team .

What first made you think of a career in technology / data centres ?

Born and raised in Silicon Valley , I have always been fascinated by technology . Living in the global centre for innovation , a career in technology was really the only thing I ever considered . Having links to some of the most iconic names in the tech sphere , including Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak , my time studying at De Anza College in California allowed me to witness how technology will shape our future .

Over my career , I have seen how the data centre industry has evolved rapidly . With platform technology , the industry can better collaborate and make smarter decisions to meet

compressed timelines , manage highly complex projects and deliver successful data centre projects safely , on time and within budget . Being part of this success reinforces why I joined the technology sector .

What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position ?

I believe you tend to learn your management philosophy from prior leaders : you can either choose to replicate them or commit to the opposite . My core leadership values include : empowering , approachable , rational and nimble . Linking back to servant leadership , building a strong bond from day one is critical . I need my team to know they can come to me for anything , both personal and professional .

What do you think is the current hot talking point within the data centre space ?

In the past , data centre builds have tended to be more speculative ; well-positioned sites with the right connectivity and a competitive offering were unlikely to remain empty for long .

While this is still a familiar model , current demand is coming from customers contracting for capacity in advance . This is imposing a new set of challenges for data centre developers as the speed of deployment is usually critical and penalties for late delivery are likely to be punitive . As shown in our recent report with TechUK , the industry is increasingly investing in technology that can help solve

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