DC + Me

Do data centres really have to be ugly? Or is the industry missing a huge opportunity to connect with the communities around them?Nick and Hana sit down with architect the architect, Jack Carter, to explore how data centres could evolve from “big metal boxes” into spaces that contribute to society, create jobs and even become celebrated parts of our cities.From Victorian industrial architecture and retrofitted buildings, to sustainability, AI-driven growth and community engagement - this conversation looks at what the future of data centre design could (and should) look like.Topics covered in this episode: ⚡ Why data centres often face public resistance 🏗️ The role architecture should play in the industry 🌍 Sustainability, heat reuse & community impact 🤖 How AI is accelerating data centre growth 👷 The talent shortage facing the sector 🏙️ Why future data centres may need to integrate with cities differently 🔥 Can data centres actually become beautiful?Jack also shares insights from working on globally recognised projects, including the Shard, the New York Times HQ and major regeneration schemes across the UK.At DC + Me, we talk about data centres like real people - no gatekeeping, no overly polished corporate speak, just honest conversations about the people building the digital world around us.🎙️ Hosted by: Nick Worpole | Strativ Group Hana Sutton | JLLIf you work in data centres, tech, AI, sustainability, architecture, construction or infrastructure - or you're simply curious about how the digital world gets built - this podcast is for you.👍 Like, comment & subscribe for more conversations from the people shaping the future of digital infrastructure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will AI eventually run out of power? Or are data centres evolving fast enough to keep up with the explosion in demand?Hosts Nick and Hana sit down with Stephen Busette aka Steve - a long-time expert in power, cooling and critical infrastructure - to unpack one of the biggest conversations in technology right now: AI vs energy.From power grids and battery storage to sustainability, AI infrastructure and the future of digital society, this episode explores the enormous challenge of powering the next generation of technology responsibly.Topics covered in this episode: 🤖 How AI is driving unprecedented data centre growth 🔋 Why power is now the biggest challenge in digital infrastructure 🌍 Sustainability, battery storage & renewable energy 🏗️ How data centres are becoming smarter & more efficient 💡 The future of AI infrastructure and “physical AI” 🔥 Why society’s relationship with data may need to change 🏠 Heat reuse, local communities & grid pressure 🧠 The impact AI could have on human behaviour & creativitySteve also shares stories from the evolution of data centre infrastructure - from early cooling challenges and emergency fixes to today’s highly sophisticated, AI-enabled systems.At DC + Me, we talk about data centres like real people - no gatekeeping, no overly polished corporate speak, just honest conversations about the technology, infrastructure and people shaping the digital world around us.🎙️ Hosted by: Nick Worpole | Strativ Group Hana Sutton | JLLIf you work in AI, data centres, energy, sustainability, infrastructure, engineering or technology — or you’re simply curious about how the future of AI will actually be powered — this episode is for you.👍 Like, comment & subscribe for more conversations from the people building the future of digital infrastructure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when ambition, pressure and identity collide?In this episode of DC + Me, Nick & Hana sit down with Mike Buckingham, a VP EMEA Operations who started his career as an apprentice and now leads operations across 22 countries.The gang have an honest conversation about career burnout, leadership, imposter syndrome and the hidden pressures behind high-performance careers in the data centre industry.This isn’t the polished corporate version of success...It’s a real conversation about:⚡ Burnout and carrying too much responsibility🧠 Why high performers often struggle in silence🚀 The pressure of leadership in fast-growth industries👶 Balancing career ambition with family and life🤝 Therapy, self-awareness and personal growth🏗️ Why the data centre industry needs more diverse talent and thinking📈 The danger of tying your identity to your job🌍 How social media and LinkedIn impact mental health and comparisonMike shares his journey from apprentice to leading operations across 22 countries and 140+ sites — alongside the personal lessons that came with rapid career growth, pressure and responsibility.The conversation also explores:why data centres urgently need fresh talentwhy traditional career paths are outdatedhow leadership is changingand why the industry needs to become more humanWhether you work in data centres, tech, leadership, recruitment, or you’ve ever felt burnt out trying to “keep up” — this episode will resonate.Featuring:Mike Buckingham — VP EMEA OperationsHana Sutton — JLLNick Worpole — Strativ GroupWelcome to DC + Me — the podcast that talks about data centres like real people.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DCandMePodcast#Burnout #Leadership #DataCentres #CareerGrowth #MentalHealth #Technology #FutureOfWork #DataCenter #TechPodcast #ImposterSyndrome #WorkLifeBalance #AI #DigitalInfrastructure #Careers #LeadershipDevelopment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would actually happen if every data centre in the world suddenly shut down?In our very first episode, Nick Worpole (Strativ Group) sits down with Hana Sutton (JLL) to unpack one huge question:⚡ Would the world end without data centres?From banking and healthcare to flights, WhatsApp, AI and the cloud - this conversation explores just how dependent modern life has become on the digital infrastructure most people never think about.Together, they break down:🌍 What happens in the first 30 seconds after data centres go offline📱 Why the internet, communication and cloud systems would collapse✈️ How travel, healthcare and financial services would be affected⚡ The growing tension between AI, energy and infrastructure🏗️ Why data centres have such a misunderstood public image🚀 Why the industry urgently needs new talent and fresh perspectivesThis isn’t a technical lecture. It’s an honest, fun & accessible conversation about the hidden infrastructure powering modern society - and the people behind it.Whether you work in tech, are curious about AI, interested in sustainability, or just want to understand how the digital world actually functions, this episode is for you.Hosted by:Nick Worpole — Strativ GroupHana Sutton — JLLWelcome to DC + Me — the podcast that talks about data centres like real people.Watch all eps on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DCandMePodcast#DataCentres #AI #Technology #CloudComputing #DigitalInfrastructure #ArtificialIntelligence #Energy #Sustainability #TechPodcast #FutureOfWork #DataCenter #AIInfrastructure #ClimateChange #Cloud #Innovation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.