This month , I had the pleasure of chatting to Knight Frank ’ s Global Head of Data Centres , Stephen Beard , about how real estate and data centres marry up , data centre growth in the UK market compared to the global picture and why Manchester should be a top priority for data centre investment . Read about this in more detail on page 47 .

This issue , we explore the data centre challenge behind Digital Transformation . On page 17 , we take a look at the findings from Cadence ’ s market research which discovered some of these challenges but also how Digital Transformation as a whole seems to be aligning with business strategy and technology .

A hot topic of discussion across the industry currently is the energy crisis so it is very apt that on page 21 , Bob Collinson , MD – Noveus Energy , considers the UK grid ’ s available capacity and the situation with new connections . He also looks at the on-site self-generation of energy through renewable options and concludes with a look at related pressures on data centres .

The talent shortage is by no means diminishing and industry leaders are attempting to find new ways to close the

gap . Fay Thompson , VP Human Resources , EMEA , STACK Infrastructure , discusses the areas of interest when recruiting and retaining the right talent in order to prosper in the data centre industry , as well as the skills involved in operating such a complex facility . This discussion can be found on page 35 .

Elsewhere in the magazine , giving their ‘ Expert Opinion ’ is Honeywell ’ s Senior Data Centre Director , Alpesh Saraiya , who draws attention to mounting sustainability pressure , a skills gap exacerbated by senior experts retiring in the next decade and an acquisition-induced race to reduce operational costs , and how these factors are causing data centres leaders much unwanted stress .

Another topic brought to light this issue is the role of load banks in 2023 . On page 62 , Paul Brickman , Group Commercial Director at Crestchic Loadbanks , focuses on the importance of load bank technology in the energy and data centres sector and their role in the coming months .

This month , we ‘ Deep Dive ’ with Gary Woollard , Senior Consultant , BCS . We find out how he landed in his role and how he likes to relax and unwind outside the office . Read about this further on page 66 .

I hope you enjoy the read and if you ’ d like to contribute to any upcoming editions , please don ’ t hesitate to contact me at alix @ lynchpinmedia . com

Alix Pressley Managing Editor www . intelligentdatacentres . com

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