What Do We Owe the Future Data Centre Industry?

What Do We Owe the Future Data Centre Industry?

Recorded at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes, Lizzy McDowell and Joyce Wady speak with representatives from Critical Careers' strategic partners about the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the data centre industry. Lizzy speaks with Charlotte Wood from Spa Communications and Andrew James from Mace Construct about why diversity, communication and collaboration are essential as the sector grows. Andrew discusses the need to bring new people into the industry at every level, while Charlotte reflects on the importance of demystifying data centres and helping a wider audience understand the variety of roles available across digital infrastructure. Lizzy is then joined by Alana Wilksch from CBRE and Sarah King from AVK to discuss visibility, talent, retention and the importance of amplifying women’s voices. They explore why the industry needs to broaden its talent pool, create more equitable cultures, and show that long-term, successful careers can be built in data centres. In the second half of the episode, Joyce speaks with Rebecca Clowes from Eversheds Sutherland and Martina Williams from JLL. Rebecca shares why visibility is so important in a sector that can feel opaque from the outside, while Martina reflects on JLL’s commitment to people, culture and women’s networks, and why the collaborative mindset of the data centre industry makes it such an exciting place to build a career. Together, the conversations highlight the shared purpose behind Critical Careers: increasing visibility, widening access, strengthening the talent pipeline, and showing that there is space for many different backgrounds, disciplines and career paths in the data centre industry. “It’s our job to let people know and kind of welcome people in.” - Charlotte Wood“Diverse teams are proven to think more laterally, come up with far better ideas.” - Andrew James“Amplifying women’s stories is so important.” - Alana Wilksch“We need to build a more equitable culture so people can stay, grow and thrive.” - Sarah King“Critical Careers makes the industry feel more visible, more tangible.” - Rebecca Clowes“The mindset of this industry is very much collaborative. We achieve more when we bring experts together.” - Martina Williams----- Key Takeaways - Critical Careers is supported by strategic partners committed to widening access, improving visibility and strengthening the future talent pipeline. - The data centre sector is growing rapidly, creating challenges around skills, talent, diversity and long-term workforce planning. - The industry cannot simply keep moving people between companies; it needs to attract talent from adjacent sectors and bring new people in at every level. - Communication has a major role to play in making the industry feel less technical, less overwhelming and more accessible. - Data centres offer a broad range of career paths beyond engineering and construction, including marketing, HR, social media, communications, legal, facilities management and other creative or commercial roles. - Community and collaboration are central to the industry’s culture, both within organisations and across companies, partners and projects. - Training, development, progression and retention are essential to supporting growth. - Building more equitable cultures is vital if companies want to attract, retain and support more women in the industry. - Awareness remains a major issue: many people still do not understand what the data centre sector is or how many careers sit within it. - The collaborative mindset of the data centre industry is one of its strengths, creating an environment where people work together to solve problems and build resilience. ----- To learn more about Critical Careers, or to get involved with the Critical Careers community, head to the Critical Careers website or search “Critical Careers”. Thank you to our founding partner, Kao Data, and our season sponsors: CBRE, AVK, JLL, Eversheds Sutherland, and Mace Construct.

What a Difference a Year Makes

In this bonus episode of the Critical Careers podcast, Joyce Wady and Lizzy McDowell reflect on the incredible growth of Critical Careers over the past 12 months - from a single book idea into a podcast, a second book, an established community and an initiative supported by six strategic partners. Following the launch of the second Critical Careers book, Joyce and Lizzy discuss what it has meant to profile 31 more women across the data centre and digital infrastructure industry. They reflect on the generosity of the women who have shared their stories, the appetite within the industry to support the mission, and the impact Critical Careers is already having on women who see themselves reflected in the journeys being shared. The conversation is a celebration of community, momentum and possibility. Joyce and Lizzy look back on how far the initiative has come, while also looking ahead to the next 12 months and the opportunity to keep expanding the reach of Critical Careers, connecting more women, and showcasing the breadth of careers available in the industry. ----- To learn more about Critical Careers, or to get involved with the Critical Careers community, head to the Critical Careers website or search “Critical Careers”. Thank you to our founding partner, Kao Data, and our season sponsors: CBRE, AVK, JLL, Eversheds Sutherland, and Mace Construct.

Why Do Communities Push Back on Data Centres?

In this episode of the Critical Careers podcast, Joyce Wady welcomes Sarah King, from AVK, and Anna Solar-Bassett to discuss why communities are pushing back on data centres — and what the industry needs to do differently as it moves further into the public spotlight.  First, Joyce speaks with Sarah King about the importance of education, local context and meaningful community engagement. Drawing on her background in NGOs, humanitarian aid, mining, oil and gas, Sarah explains why the fundamentals of engagement remain the same across industries: listen first, understand the community, and avoid assuming you already know what people need. She also explores why data centres need to do more to explain what they are, how they operate, and what opportunities they can create for local people.   In the second half of the episode, Joyce is joined by Anna Solar-Bassett, who brings a background in politics, government, technology and corporate affairs. Anna discusses why data centres are “having a real moment,” why the industry needs to think more like a campaign, and why social licence to operate will become increasingly important as development accelerates.   Together, the conversations explore how the industry can build trust, address myths, engage more effectively with local communities, and create stronger pathways into digital infrastructure for young people, women and those pursuing skilled technical careers.  “Education for me is absolutely critical on top of that engagement.” — Sarah King   “People want to feel heard, but particularly when they’re upset about something, the worst thing you can do is be defensive.” — Anna Solar-Bassett   ----- Key Takeaways  - Data centres are facing a critical moment where local community engagement needs to become more proactive, strategic and human.   - Sarah King’s experience across NGOs, humanitarian aid, mining, oil and gas has shown her that listening to communities is the foundation of effective stakeholder engagement.   - The industry needs to step outside its own bubble and understand the fears, misconceptions and local issues driving community pushback.   - Education is essential: many people do not know what a data centre is, how the cloud relies on physical infrastructure, or what opportunities the sector can offer.   - Community engagement should go beyond regulatory planning requirements and create real opportunities for people to ask questions in person.   - Local context matters. Concerns can vary not only by region, but by neighbourhood, college, road, river or community group.   - The sector has an opportunity to inspire young people by going into schools, colleges and universities and showing how they can fit into the future of digital infrastructure.   - Anna Solar-Bassett’s career across politics, government, technology and corporate affairs has helped her understand the intersection between communities, media, policymakers and business.   - Data centres are now firmly in the spotlight, and the industry needs to use that attention as an opportunity to explain its benefits, address legitimate concerns and bust myths.   - Building trust means acknowledging the fear behind a concern before trying to correct misinformation.   - Social licence to operate is not just about ticking regulatory boxes; it is about becoming a valued and trusted part of the community for the long term.   - Everyone in the industry has a role to play as an ambassador for data centres and digital infrastructure.    ----- To learn more about Critical Careers, or to get involved with the Critical Careers community, head to the Critical Careers website or search “Critical Careers”.  Thank you to our founding partner, Kao Data, and our season sponsors: CBRE, AVK, JLL, Eversheds Sutherland, and Mace Construct.

Confidence Isn't the Problem

In this episode of the Critical Careers podcast, Lizzy McDowell, Director of Marketing at Kao Data, is in the presenter chair, welcoming Kir Devaser, Product Marketing Lead at CUDO Compute, to talk about confidence: how it is built, how it can be knocked, and why it is not always something people feel as strongly as others perceive.  The conversation follows Kir’s journey from economics and finance into financial writing, crypto, AI and eventually data centres. She discusses what it was like working in male-dominated spaces, the pressure to prove herself, and the moments where poor leadership damaged her confidence. She also shares how strong managers, external validation and personal resilience helped her rebuild and grow.  At the heart of the episode is an honest conversation about confidence as something that develops through discomfort, experience, respect and self-trust. Kir reflects on the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone, leading with empathy, knowing your strengths, and using your own confidence to create space for others.   “Staying in your comfort zone will not push your limits.” — Kir Devaser  -----  Key Takeaways  - Confidence is not always something people feel internally, even when others perceive them as confident.   - Kir’s original ambition was to become a vet, but not getting the grades she needed forced her to rethink her future.  - Early family conversations about finance, economics and global markets helped shape her curiosity and independence.   - Growing up around strong women and attending an all-girls school helped Kir develop confidence, but moving into mixed and male-dominated environments revealed different gender dynamics.   - Working as a financial writer helped Kir learn to back herself with facts, evidence and clear communication.   - Male-dominated sectors such as finance and crypto can create additional pressure for women to prove themselves.   - Poor management can damage confidence, while strong managers can help rebuild it through belief, validation and trust.   - Confidence grows when you step outside your comfort zone and stretch beyond what feels familiar.   - Delayed gratification, resilience and long-term goals can help keep you grounded when entering a new role or industry.   - Kir’s strength lies in storytelling, messaging and making complex ideas easier to understand.   - Good leadership means stepping back, pushing others forward and creating space for people to grow.   - Knowing what you are good at — and accepting that you cannot be good at everything — is a powerful part of building confidence.   ----- To learn more about Critical Careers, or to get involved with the Critical Careers community, head to the Critical Careers website or search “Critical Careers”.  Thank you to our founding partner, Kao Data, and our season sponsors: CBRE, AVK, JLL, Eversheds Sutherland, and Mace Construct.

The People Who Shape Our Careers

In this episode of the Critical Careers podcast, Joyce Wady welcomes Kelly Phillips to explore the role that mentorship, allyship and community have played in shaping her career in data centres and digital infrastructure. Kelly shares how her earliest work experiences - from growing up in a family business to working on cruise liners - taught her resilience, adaptability, high standards and the importance of connecting with people. She reflects on the moment a manager recognised her natural ability in business development, how that relationship became a long-term mentorship, and why trust-based relationships have continued to guide her career path. The conversation looks at the difference between being managed and being mentored, the importance of being challenged by people who believe in your potential, and how allies can open doors and help you be seen. Kelly also discusses stepping into senior leadership, why she continues to seek mentorship even at C-suite level, and how she now uses mentoring as a core part of her own leadership style. At the heart of the episode is a powerful message about paying it forward: when someone opens a door for you, the best way to repay it is to open the next one for someone else. “Mentors help you grow, allies help you be seen.” - Kelly Phillips ----- Key Takeaways - Early career experiences can shape long-term strengths, even before you recognise them yourself. - Kelly’s background in a family business and cruise liners helped her develop resilience, adaptability, customer service skills and the ability to connect with people. - A single moment of recognition from the right person can completely change how someone sees their own potential. - Business development is not just a process - it is about people, trust, relationships and long-term value. - Mentorship and management are different: management focuses on the task, while mentorship invests in potential. - Growth often happens when someone you trust pushes you beyond your comfort zone. - Allies and mentors play different roles: mentors help you develop, while allies help open doors and create visibility. - Senior leaders still need mentorship, especially when stepping into new responsibilities or unfamiliar markets. - Kelly’s leadership style is rooted in mentoring: guiding people to find their own answers, build confidence and own their decisions. - Supporting the next generation means being available, giving honest feedback, opening networks and helping others find their place. - Real change happens when people continue the cycle of support by paying it forward. ----- To learn more about Critical Careers, or to get involved with the Critical Careers community, head to the Critical Careers website or search “Critical Careers”. Thank you to our founding partner, Kao Data, and our season sponsors: CBRE, AVK, JLL, Eversheds Sutherland, and Mace Construct.