D E E P D I V E suggestions on how we can improve . I encourage them to not work in silos but to sit in with the development and investments team to really understand how the business operates and how the legal function can add value .
I ’ ve seen firsthand the benefits of fostering a team culture that is collaborative and where there is the freedom and an encouragement to propose new ideas or challenge old ones .
What do you think is the current hot talking point within the data centre space ?
It ’ s been interesting to see what used to be quite and isolated sector becoming increasingly intertwined with the broader news cycle . One of the most obvious drivers is the rise in powerintensive AI applications .
Accommodating the demand of AI is going to introduce a lot of new challenges as the applications require so much power . For context , a ChatGPT query needs nearly 10 times as much electricity to process as a Google search . That stat is staggering when you think of how many people use ChatGPT today . And like anything that requires a lot of power , there is going to be expected strain on the system .
Data centres will face mounting pressure to meet the skyrocketing energy demands . This is where the issue of power constraints becomes a critical concern . Additionally , the push for sustainability , rising electricity costs , and potential energy shortages will make it even harder to balance the growing demand with limited energy resources .
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office ?
I love to run . I ’ m currently training for a marathon in Utrecht , The Netherlands which is apparently the flattest marathon in Europe – the best one to do ! I ’ ve always enjoyed exercising , it ’ s always been the perfect way for me to unwind or think through a particularly difficult work problem .
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?
My area of expertise is purely legal – working principally on all the contractual aspects of data centre delivery . Other people are far more qualified than me to answer this . However , I would expect to see growing investment in building data centres in emerging markets . I also suspect we will see a longer-term trend for data centres to be planned more collaboratively within broader developments . I think there will be investment in renewable sources of power ( perhaps small modular reactors ) and carbon removal technologies . Our subsidiary , A Healthier Earth , has recently announced plans for the biggest production facility for biochar in the UK which can be part of that solution .
What are the region-specific challenges you encounter in your role ?
Just like a lot of jobs covering multiple jurisdictions , it can be challenging to navigate the different frameworks – in my case , the legal sector .
Each country has its own unique regulatory environment , planning , permitting and construction regimes and energy usage rules – all of which need to be understood and applied by my team .
Different cultural ways of working are another challenge and one that I didn ’ t expect when I first became a lawyer . Different cultural norms , language and business practices can mean you ’ re also dealing with different negotiation styles on a daily basis .
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the coming months ?
There is increasing interest in data centres as an asset class from institutional investors . Alongside this there is a need for bigger and more powerful data centres coming from our customers . In my job I am the centre of so many relationships , serving Pure DC , but also speaking to our investors , clients and suppliers . I expect us only to get busier and more international , working across more territories with a wider range of stakeholders . �
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