Panel: Why Energy Transition is Now a Data Centre Priority

As the data centre industry faces mounting pressure to balance rapid digital growth with sustainability goals, energy transition has become one of the sector’s defining conversations.

From hyperscale expansion and AI-driven demand to grid resilience and carbon reduction, operators are being forced to rethink how digital infrastructure is powered and scaled.

That is exactly why the “Future of Energy Transition” panel at Data Centre LIVE: The London Summit promises to be one of the event’s most important sessions.

Bringing together leaders from across engineering, operations, sustainability and energy innovation, the panel will explore how the industry is adapting to a lower-carbon future while continuing to support the explosive growth of hyperscale infrastructure.

Attendees can expect high-level insight into renewable energy adoption, alternative power sources, long-term sustainability planning and the partnerships reshaping the future of digital infrastructure.

The discussion will feature an experienced line-up of industry voices, each bringing a unique perspective on the future of sustainable infrastructure.

Martin Reed, Global ESG Director, Data Centre Solutions at CBRE, specialises in helping organisations improve energy performance across large global portfolios.

A Chartered Energy Manager and Chartered Engineer, Martin has built a career around driving measurable sustainability outcomes through operational efficiency, innovative energy strategies and cross-sector collaboration.

His perspective will focus on how data centre operators can translate ambitious ESG targets into practical and measurable action.

Joining him is Dame Dawn Childs, Non-Executive Director at Pure Data Centres Group and CEO of nLighten, whose engineering and operational leadership spans some of the UK’s most complex infrastructure environments.

From leading transformation programmes at National Grid to senior engineering positions at Gatwick Airport and Merlin Entertainments, Dawn brings decades of experience managing mission-critical infrastructure at scale.

Her insight will offer attendees a broader understanding of how leadership, resilience and innovation intersect within the energy transition conversation.

Charlotte Berry-Selwood, Chief Delivery Officer at AVK, will provide expertise rooted in global project delivery and infrastructure execution.

With more than 15 years of experience across international data centre developments, Charlotte has led complex projects balancing speed, efficiency and sustainability objectives.

She is also a strong advocate for diversity within the industry as co-founder of the Forum of Women in Data Centres, bringing an important people-focused dimension to the future of infrastructure delivery.

The panel also includes Filipe Mota da Silva, Head AI Energy Studio UKI at Globant.

With extensive experience spanning digital transformation, energy innovation and global consulting operations, Filipe will explore how collaboration between technology providers, utilities and infrastructure operators can accelerate cleaner and more intelligent energy systems.

His background across SaaS, PaaS and energy consulting positions him at the centre of the convergence between AI, energy and digital infrastructure.

Moderating the discussion is Chris Dravers, VP Commercial at Last Energy.

Chris brings deep expertise across energy investment, clean infrastructure and emerging power technologies, including micro nuclear deployment across the UK, US and Europe.

His experience across investment, private equity and clean energy innovation will help guide a conversation focused not only on today’s challenges, but on the technologies likely to define the next generation of infrastructure.

It’s not too late to sign up for tickets.

Join us at Exhibition White City on 20–21 May for Data Centre LIVE: The London Summit.

Attendees will gain practical insight from industry experts, hear real-world case studies and connect with peers and key decision-makers shaping the future of data centres.

Click here to guarantee your ticket for our flagship event.