Inside Data Centre Podcast

Hosted by Andy Davis

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Episodes

219

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

Who are the people powering the world’s data centers? Inside Data Centre Podcast is a podcast about the global data center industry, focused on the careers, companies, and conversations shaping modern digital infrastructure. Hosted by Andy Davis, the podcast features interviews with data center professionals, investors, operators, vendors, and industry leaders from around the world. Each episode explores how people enter the data center sector, how their careers develop, and the challenges facing data centers as demand for cloud, AI, and connectivity continues to accelerate. Covering hyperscale, colocation, operations, sustainability, and skills, Inside Data Centre Podcast is essential listening for anyone working in, or looking to work in, the data center industry.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 7, 2026Episode 622 min

The Gulf Region, AI Growth and the Future of Middle East Data Centres | Live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026

Send us Fan Mail In the fourth episode of our series recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes, Andy Davis is once again joined by co-host Rory Flashman from Spa Communications to explore the rapid growth of the Gulf region as a major data centre market. Joining the conversation: Simon Young, Google Stephen Beard, Knight Frank Together, they discuss why the Middle East has become one of the most talked-about regions in digital infrastructure, and how government ambition, sovereign wealth, power availability and AI demand are helping to accelerate growth across the market. The conversation explores the role of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman in the region’s data centre development, as well as the opportunities and challenges that come with building at scale in a fast-moving market. Simon and Stephen also discuss the importance of leadership and long-term vision across the GCC, the impact of major AI initiatives, and why the region could become an increasingly important bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa. The episode also looks at how international operators and Middle Eastern developers are approaching expansion, the role of sovereign wealth funds, and what other markets, including the UK, could learn from the region’s ability to move quickly and reduce barriers to development. Recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes. Key Topics: Why the Gulf region has become a major data centre growth market How government leadership and national AI strategies are driving investment The role of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel as leading regional hubs Why power cost and availability are central to the region’s opportunity The potential for AI infrastructure growth in Kuwait, Oman and other emerging Gulf markets Why fibre connectivity and international transit remain important challenges How data centre design in the Middle East compares with Europe The impact of geopolitical uncertainty on investment decisions Why international operators are looking more closely at the region How Middle Eastern developers and sovereign wealth funds are expanding globally What the UK and other mature markets could learn from the Gulf’s speed of execution Why talent development and local workforce initiatives will be critical to long-term growth How AI adoption is changing the wider data centre and digital infrastructure conversation Tune in for an insightful conversation on how the Gulf region is positioning itself at the centre of the next wave of data centre and AI infrastructure growth, and why speed, capital, power and policy will all play a major role in shaping its 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

July 31, 2026Episode 526 min

The Data Centre Industry's Biggest Problem Isn't Innovation | Tom Babington, Adaptive MDC

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, Andy Davis is joined by Tom Babbington, Founder and CEO of Adaptive MDC. With a career spanning 42 countries, including delivering hyperscale in Finland, Tom explains how his approach to modular data centre design was shaped by solving problems on the ground, and why execution, not innovation, is now the industry's biggest bottleneck. Key Topics: How a career across 42 countries shaped Tom's approach to modular delivery Why modular doesn't mean small: reference designs now scale past 100MW Execution, not ideas, is the industry's real barrier to faster delivery Cross-vendor collaboration could unlock timelines vendors say are fixed Public perception of data centres is shifting from ignored to scrutinised Tom's advice for newcomers: stay curious, don't fear not knowing Tune in for a grounded take on where modular data centres are headed, and what it will actually take to keep pace with demand. 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

July 24, 2026Episode 424 min

Power, Grid Constraints and Smarter Data Centre Growth | Live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026

Send us Fan Mail In the third episode of our series recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes, Andy Davis is once again joined by co-host Rory Flashman from Spa Communications to explore one of the biggest challenges facing the data centre industry: power. Joining the conversation: Chris Pennington, Director, Energy and Sustainability, Iron Mountain Afonso Salema, CEO, Exus Digital Together, they discuss whether the industry is really at power capacity, or whether data centres need to become smarter, more flexible and more responsive to the grids they depend on. The conversation looks at how the industry can unlock stranded grid capacity, the role of energy storage and flexible load, and why the traditional approach of simply asking the grid for constant supply may no longer be enough. Chris and Afonso also explore behind-the-meter power, the differences between the US and European markets, and whether on-site generation is a short-term bridge to grid connection or a longer-term part of the data centre power mix. The episode also tackles the debate around nuclear, microgrids, renewable energy, affordability, total cost of ownership and the need for data centres to work more closely with TSOs, regulators and local communities. Recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes. Key Topics: Why access to power has become one of the industry’s biggest challenges How data centres can use flexible load and storage to unlock grid capacity The role of behind-the-meter power as a bridge to grid connection Why power affordability is becoming central to AI infrastructure growth The differences between US and European power strategies Whether gas can play a viable role in European data centre power The future of nuclear, SMRs and grid-connected clean energy Why there is no one-size-fits-all solution to power constraints How peak shaving and smarter energy use can reduce costs The importance of community engagement and listening to local priorities Why the industry needs to do more to challenge myths around power, water and local impact Tune in for a timely conversation on how power is shaping the future of data centre development, why flexibility and affordability matter, and how the industry can work more closely with grids and communities to support sustainable growth. 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

July 17, 2026Episode 324 min

Why the Nordics Are Becoming Europe’s Next Data Center Hub | Live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026

Send us Fan Mail In the second episode of our series recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes, Andy Davis is once again joined by co-host Rory Flashman from Spa Communications to explore why the Nordics have become one of the most talked-about regions in the European data centre market. Joining the conversation: Tor Kristian Gyland, Heim Data Center Svein Atle Hagaseth, Heim Data Center Fresh from launching their new venture, Heim Data Center, Tor and Svein discuss why Sweden, Finland and the wider Nordic region are attracting growing interest from data centre operators, investors and customers. The conversation explores how power availability, renewable energy, cooling efficiency, regulatory stability and strong fibre connectivity are helping position the Nordics as a major destination for future data centre growth. The discussion also looks at why the region is no longer just seen as a location for AI training, but increasingly as a viable hub for cloud, inference and wider digital infrastructure workloads. Tor and Svein also discuss the differences between Nordic markets, including Finland’s predictability, Sweden’s emerging regional opportunities and Norway’s more complex power and community narrative. They explain why local engagement, early dialogue with municipalities and long-term contribution to communities will be critical as the industry scales. Recorded live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes. Tune in for a timely conversation on why the Nordics are moving from the edge of Europe’s data centre map to the centre of its next growth story, and how power, sustainability, connectivity and community engagement will shape the region’s 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

July 14, 2026Episode 219 min

Powered by People: How can we manage the exponential growth of the Data Center sector?

Send us Fan Mail In the first episode of our internal 'Powered by People' series', Andy Davis is joined by Josie Hughes, Director of Marketing at DataX Connect, for the first in a new internal mini-series. Together, they explore the people behind the industry's rapid growth, discussing the talent trends, workforce challenges, and career opportunities shaping the data centre sector today. Key topics: Where today's data centre talent is coming from Why career development matters just as much as salary What really influences people to change jobs The growing impact of relocation and international mobility How regional differences are shaping hiring strategies What employers need to do to attract and retain the best people Tune in for an insightful conversation on the trends influencing the future of data centre talent and what they mean for professionals and employers alike. Take part in the 2026 Data Centre Salary Survey - Closes 20th July 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

July 8, 2026Episode 129 min

Neo Clouds, AI Infrastructure and the UK Data Centre Opportunity | Live at Datacloud Global Congress 2026

Send us Fan Mail 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

April 24, 2026Episode 632 min

Jim Hart, CEO BCS Consultancy: Data Centre Truths 2026

Send us Fan Mail 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

April 17, 2026Episode 545 min

Data Centre News & GPU's - Episode 4

Send us Fan Mail 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

March 27, 2026Episode 412 min

Turning Conversations into Community

Send us Fan Mail 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

February 27, 2026Episode 331 min

Can we build Data Centers fast enough? | Episode 3 - Live at KickStart Europe 2026

Send us Fan Mail 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