EUDCA appoints new Chairman and Board of Directors

The EUDCA Board of Directors brings together technical excellence and commercial acumen, with a breadth of knowledge relating to data centre investments, sustainability, design and operations. Its combined experience is instrumental for the Association to excel and serve its members. The new Board of Directors comprises:

• Michael Winterson, Equinix Chairman

• Laurens van Reijen, LCL Data Centers Treasurer

• Alex Rabbetts, Corozon Consulting Managing Director

• Lex Coors, Interxion Chair of the Policy Committee

• Andrew Harrison, Arup Chair of the Technical Committee

• Matthew Baynes, Schneider Electric NTA Liaison

• Matt Pullen, CyrusOne Board Member of the CNDCP

• Philip Low, Headwind Consultants Board Member

Michael Winterson said “It is my honour to lead the EUDCA at a time when the changes and positive impacts we make within the data centre industry reverberate to a far wider audience. I extend a warm welcome to each Board Member. Today, the industry faces huge challenges, not the least of which is addressing and mitigating its effects on climate change. The EUDCA will be at the forefront of shaping policy within Europe, building on its previous achievements. As a Board, we will actively collaborate to achieve the best and most effective path to success.”

With global dependence on digital infrastructure, exacerbated data growth forecast and sustainability at the forefront of global concern – data centres have reached an inflection point. The work of the EUDCA led by the Executive Committee is vital, contributing to initiatives such as the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact (CNDCP). Announced earlier this year, CNDCP is a self-regulatory initiative that has the commitment of over 70 operator and association signatories to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

During 2020, the data centre sector underwent a pivotal shift to become the mission-critical lifeline underpinning digital technology globally. At the same time, the European Commission delivered two, once-in-a-century policy platforms impacting the world economy: The Green Deal and Europe Fit for the Digital Age. The EUDCA played a significant role in all three, participating in over 50 consultations on issues ranging from data security, sustainability and design to digital markets, data spaces and digital skills.

The EUDCA has long been recognised for its distribution of technical research, industry representation, raising awareness on policy and encouraging education. This year and beyond, the Association will be progressing 2030 climate neutral goals, working together with the European Commission and representative national data centre trade organisations to build a truly sustainable circular economy.

The EUDCA is home to some of the best minds in the European commercial data centre operator community, promoting a roadmap for sustainable growth. As critical infrastructure enabling European business to function efficiently and grow, it is crucial that the data centre industry continues to collaborate to ensure that future facilities are built and operated to meet the high standards required to minimise its impact upon the planet.