Data Centre LIVE: Exclusive Q&A with Dame Dawn Childs

Returning in 2025, Data Centre LIVE will be hosting a virtual event on 25 March. Connecting the world’s data centre leaders, the event promises to explore the latest advancements, challenges and opportunities in the industry.

To get your tickets, click here. 

Ahead of the event in March, Data Centre Magazine sat down with Dame Dawn​​​​ Childs DBE FREng, CEO at Pure Data Centres Group.

Before Pure, Dame Dawn led a multi-billion transformation programme for National Grid across its gas and electricity transmission businesses. She has also worked for Merlin Entertainments where she was responsible for engineering delivery and standards across the worldwide portfolio of theme parks, as well as the Head of Engineering at Gatwick Airport and  Engineering Officer in the Royal Air Force. 

Outside of Pure, Dame Dawn is a Trustee of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Chairs the Audit & Risk Committee, she is also a Trustee of the Air League. 

Dame Dawn is also a champion of women in engineering. She was the longest-serving President of the Women’s Engineering Society and is currently the Chair of the iMasons Inclusion Committee. 

A fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, in October 2020 she was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the engineering profession and was appointed a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) for services to engineering in the King’s New Years Honours 2023.

What inspired you to get involved in Data Centre LIVE?

To highlight the critical role data centres play in global digital infrastructure and my passion for advancing industry conversations on sustainability within the sector.

Provide an overview of what your keynote will focus on.

My keynote will focus on strategies for balancing rapid scalability with environmental responsibility and long-term resilience, as well as the growing demand for data storage and connectivity driven by AI.

What do you hope to achieve through the event?

I hope to inspire collaboration among industry stakeholders to tackle shared challenges and strengthen relationships with partners and customers in the data centre sector.

What emerging trends do you believe will shape the future of the data centre industry over the next decade?

The adoption of renewable energy and carbon-neutral operations to meet environmental goals and data centre power will be a key part of the green energy transition.

So will the integration of AI for enhanced operational efficiency and predictive maintenance and building more secure and resilient infrastructures in response to evolving cyber threats.

Essential diary dates for 2025

Discover the essential diary dates for Data Centre Magazine, as well as its sister publications – Mobile Magazine and Technology Magazine.

To enter for the Global Tech & AI Awards, click here.

• Cloud & 5G LIVE |  4 February
• Data Centre LIVE | 25 March
• Tech & AI LIVE London + Cyber LIVE London | 14-15 May
• The Global Tech & AI Awards | 14 May
• Tech & AI LIVE: Gen AI | 21 October
• Tech & AI LIVE New York | 18 November

Explore the latest edition of Data Centre Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Tech & AI LIVE and Data Centre LIVE. 

Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today. 

Data Centre Magazine is a BizClik brand