Asanti...in conversation with

In this latest episode of In Conversation With, Asanti’s Emma Lauchlan speaks with data centre and infrastructure specialist, Steve Wright, about what hybrid IT really looks like today – and why “cloud‑first” thinking is being replaced by a more cloud‑appropriate approach. They explore how many organisations have slipped into hybrid by accident through cloud sprawl, and why rising OpEx costs, data sovereignty pressures and reliance on a handful of hyperscalers are forcing leaders to take stock.​Steve shares practical advice on building a multi‑year roadmap rather than chasing a big‑bang migration, using observability to map dependencies and place workloads in the right mix of on‑premises, colocation and public cloud. Emma and Steve also examine the widening skills and security gaps, the emergence of “shadow AI”, and how IT teams can start small with low‑risk workloads while keeping strong governance, visibility and the ability to roll back if changes do not deliver.

In the latest episode of In Conversation With, Asanti’s Emma Lauchlan hosts two industry leaders for a deep dive into the meaning of resilience - both physical and digital. Joining the conversation are:Ian Stuart, Director of Technical and Compliance at Livingston, with over 16 years’ experience at NatWest Group safeguarding critical data centre environments.Brett Rowe, Founder of Securus Communications, a leading UK cyber security consultancy. Together, they unpack:Why resilience is about more than redundant systems - it’s about people, training and testing.How “currency of competency” determines whether teams can truly respond under pressure.The hidden risks to resilience in supply chains, building management systems and third-party technologies.Why prevention, not ransom payments, is the only defence against cyber threats.The future of resilience as AI reshapes both attacks and defenses.This episode offers a mix engineering expertise with cyber security insight, providing a rare 360° view of risk and resilience. For leaders managing critical systems, it’s a must-listen conversation.

In this episode, Asanti’s Emma Lauchlan talks with Brett Rowe, Founder and Director of Securus Communications, one of the UK’s leading cybersecurity consultancies. Brett shares the story of launching Securus 12 years ago to bring service back into the heart of security solutions and why that customer-first approach still sets them apart today.From the misconception that public cloud providers handle your security, to why cyber risk should be treated as a core business risk, Brett offers sharp insights for leaders navigating today’s constantly evolving threat landscape. He also talks about the role of AI in shaping the future of cyber – both as a tool for defence and as a weapon for attackers – and reflects on the business lessons he’s learned along the way.If you want to understand why cybersecurity is never “done” and how to stay ahead, this conversation is a must-listen.Brett Rowe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowebrett/Emma Lauchlan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaeboyle/Download our whitepaper on IT Resilience: https://asanti.com/resource-centre/guides-white-papers/whitepaper-why-some-organisations-are-still-not-getting-their-it-resilience-plans-right/

In the latest episode of “The Founder’s Playbook” podcast, Asanti’s Emma Lauchlan sits down with Ian Stuart, the former Chief Engineer at NatWest Group and now Director of Technical & Compliance at M&E specialists, Livingston.With over 16 years in one of the UK's most scrutinised financial institutions - 11 of them leading critical engineering efforts - Ian brings deep insight into the complex world of risk management, infrastructure resilience and operational continuity. Now, at Livingston, he’s on a mission to change how contractors support clients in critical environments.In this thought-provoking episode, Ian shares:Why "competency today" isn’t good enough for tomorrow’s infrastructure demandsHow regulated environments shaped his approach to de-risking operationsWhy true resilience is more than just redundancy - and often misunderstoodThe critical importance of continuous professional development in high-stakes rolesWhy collaboration and honesty are the foundations of trust in client-contractor relationships. This episode is packed with insight for leaders who can’t afford to fail. Listen now to hear Ian’s perspective on evolving skills, contractor accountability and why every day should be a school day. 

In the latest episode of the “In Conversation With” podcast, Asanti’s Emma Lauchlan speaks with Chris Talliss, Director of Cloud, Data and Apps at Wavenet, to unpack the evolving challenges and decisions surrounding public cloud strategy.Drawing on Asanti’s recent research, which found that 52 percent of UK organizations plan to reduce their reliance on US-based cloud providers, Chris discusses the two major drivers of this trend: data sovereignty and data residency. In this insightful episode, Chris shares:Why hybrid and private cloud strategies are growing in importanceHow the Cloud Act and global politics are prompting a rethink of cloud-first strategiesThe danger of falling into “modern legacy” through well-intentioned cloud migrationsHow AI is reshaping infrastructure needs and driving demand for colocationWhy understanding your workloads, not just your infrastructure, is critical.Whether you're re-evaluating your current architecture or exploring how to scale AI workloads securely and cost-effectively, this episode offers valuable guidance and perspective.This is a must-listen for any IT leader navigating cloud transformation. Read the latest research here: https://asanti.com/press-release/uk-it-leaders-shift-cloud-strategy-over-data-sovereignty-concerns-new-research-finds/ Read out whitepaper on public cloud adoption and challenges - https://asanti.com/resource-centre/guides-white-papers/whitepaper-public-cloud-does-the-reality-live-up-to-the-hype/

In this episode, Asanti's CEO, Stewart Laing, is joined by journalist Martin Veitch and IT industry veteran and journalist, Steve Broadhead, as they discuss the shifting landscape of data centre infrastructure following the explosion of data and the new demands of AI. The trio explore how location, power constraints, and fibre availability are reshaping where and how data centres are built - particularly the northward shift in the UK. They delve into skills shortages, the role of apprenticeships, government policy, and why edge infrastructure and localised data sovereignty matter more than ever, given the direction of US politics. This episode paints a pragmatic yet hopeful picture of a rapidly evolving industry.

In the second episode of our “In Conversation With” series, Martin Veitch dives deep into the reality, and future, AI.This time, Stewart Laing, CEO of Asanti is joined by neuroscientist Steve Elcock, who is Director of Product, AI and HCM at Zellis, who talks us through the process for developing LLM for AI applications and just why they need so much power.  The trio also tackle hot topics like GPU-powered infrastructure, data sovereignty, UK government policy, sustainability, and how AI is reshaping HR and enterprise systems.With a healthy dose of realism and optimism, this episode unpacks whether AI-driven data centres are the next evolution or just hype.

In this episode, we meet Stewart Laing, CEO of Asanti Data Centres. In this, our very first podcast episode, we explore why, after spending 20 years consulting in the industry, and sitting on his business plan for 12 years, he felt now was the time to launch a data centre business.Hear his thoughts and views on the major challenges and impacting the industry in he UK today, what the emerging trends are and find out what his biggest gripe is with the data centre industry. 

Hosted by renowned tech journalist Martin Veitch, alongside Asanti Data Centres' founder and CEO Stewart Laing, and Wavenet's Head of Cloud Specialists, Andy Bevan this session challenges conventional thinking about the public cloud and explore key insights from the recent research.This interactive session examines the challenges, cost considerations, and alternative approaches to cloud adoption.The panel of industry experts discuss public cloud adoption. By sharing Asanti’s exclusive research, the discussion challenges existing assumptions and offers actionable recommendations for organisations navigating cloud strategies.