In this special bonus episode of DC + ME, Nick Worpole is joined by Hana Sutton and Stephen Bussette for an honest conversation about diversity, inclusion and the future of talent in the data centre industry.

Forget the corporate buzzwords. This is a real discussion about why the sector needs fresh perspectives, why so many people still don't know these careers exist, and what needs to change if we're going to build the workforce of the future.

Whether you're already in the industry, thinking about a career change, or simply curious about the people behind the digital world, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the data centre industry can't afford to ignore the talent shortage
• The importance of diversity of thought, skills and experience
• Why so many careers in data centres still feel inaccessible
• Hana's story of turning down a leadership role... twice
• How initiatives like LEAP and Innovative Opportunities are opening doors for the next generation
• Why representation matters—but shouldn't define your success
• The advice Stephen gives to anyone walking into a room where they feel different
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At DC + ME, we're on a mission to make data centres easier to understand. No gatekeeping. No unnecessary jargon. Just honest conversations with the people shaping one of the world's fastest-growing industries.

🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on AI, sustainability, careers, digital infrastructure and the future of data centres.

Follow the hosts:

Nick Worpole - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-worpole-3796176a/

Hana Sutton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hana-sutton/

Stephen Bussette - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-bussette/

#DataCentres #DigitalInfrastructure #DEI #Careers #Leadership #Talent #AI #Technology #Sustainability #FutureOfWork #DigitalTransformation #DCandME

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick & Hana sit down with climate scientist Dr.Navjit Sagoo from Climate X to explore how climate risk is becoming a major factor in financial investment, infrastructure planning and the future of digital infrastructure.

From flood risk and wildfires to AI-driven forecasting models and the future of resilient infrastructure, this episode dives into the science shaping billion-pound decisions behind the scenes.

Topics covered in this episode:

⚡ How climate change is influencing investment decisions

🏗️ Why data centre developers are using climate risk modelling

🌊 Flooding, wildfires & extreme weather forecasting

🤖 The role AI plays in climate prediction

💰 How pension funds assess long-term climate risk

📊 What climate risk models actually look like

👷 Why sustainability careers are attracting diverse talent

🌱 The future of resilient infrastructure & adaptation

Navjit also shares her journey from climate science research into the world of climate technology — including work on clouds, ice ages, climate models and forecasting future environmental risk.

At DC + Me, we talk about data centres like real people - no gatekeeping, no overly polished corporate speak, just honest conversations about the people, technology and infrastructure shaping our digital future.

🎙️ Hosted by:

Nick Worpole | Strativ Group

Hana Sutton | JLL

If you work in data centres, AI, sustainability, climate tech, infrastructure, engineering or finance — or you’re simply curious about how climate change could shape the future economy — this episode is for you.

👍 Like, comment & subscribe for more conversations from the people building the digital world around us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of DC + Me, Nick & Hana sit down with the brilliant Margot Weistroffer from Hitachi Energy to talk about the realities of parenting while building a career in a demanding industry.

From balancing ambition and family life to navigating the challenges, sacrifices and unexpected rewards that come with parenthood, this is an honest conversation about what it really takes to make both work.

As someone whose parenting experience extends only as far as looking after five nieces and one nephew, Nick takes more of a listener's seat in this episode, giving space for a thoughtful discussion on the lessons parenthood teaches us - not just about our careers, but about life itself.

Whether you're a parent, planning to become one, or simply interested in how people balance personal and professional growth, this episode offers valuable perspectives from someone who has lived it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 | JLL

If 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.

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 & creativity

Steve 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 | JLL

If 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.

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 comparison

Mike 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 talent
• why traditional career paths are outdated
• how leadership is changing
• and why the industry needs to become more human

Whether 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 Operations

Hana Sutton — JLL

Nick Worpole — Strativ Group

Welcome 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

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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 perspectives

This 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 Group

Hana Sutton — JLL

Welcome 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.