Data Centre Strategy: AVK appoints Paul Hood as new COO
AVK, one of the UK and Europe’s largest suppliers of innovative power solutions for data centres, has appointed Paul Hood as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
The move reflects the company’s rapid growth in the sector and its ambitions to strengthen its position as a leader in integrated power solutions.
Paul is widely recognised in the industry as a skilled engineering manager with extensive experience leading mission-critical infrastructure teams across major financial institutions and data centre operators.
His career includes senior leadership roles at Yondr Group, Pure Data Centres Group, Barclays and JP Morgan.
Extensive data centre leadership
At Yondr Group, Paul served as Managing Director before becoming COO, playing a key role in its emergence as a significant player in the global data centre market. Prior to that, he was Global Operations Director and Managing Director for Africa at Pure Data Centres Group.
His financial services experience is equally notable. At Barclays, Paul was Head of Engineering for Europe, and at JP Morgan he served as Head of Engineering Operations for the EMEA region.
Over 13 years at JP Morgan, he oversaw the bank’s entire network of data centres across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, while managing an operating budget of US$90m.
Paul’s technical foundation is rooted in systems and control engineering, later expanding into the management of electrical infrastructure across critical facilities.
He is also experienced in health and safety compliance, environmental inspections and fire prevention within highly regulated environments.
Paul doesn’t just bring vast global experience to AVK, he is a leader who has done it all.
A pivotal appointment for AVK
AVK CEO Ben Pritchard welcomed Paul’s appointment, emphasising the value of his experience and leadership style.
“I am genuinely excited about Paul joining our team,” says Ben. “He has a superb engineering brain, he is a very logical thinker and he has a real passion for working hard.
“Essentially, he believes in what he does. Paul doesn’t just bring vast global experience to AVK, he is a leader who has done it all. With Paul on board, AVK is going to be well placed to play a frontrunning role in the critical infrastructure power space in the UK and Europe.”
Paul says he is equally enthusiastic about joining AVK at this stage of its growth.
“I’ve known AVK for 30 years and I understand exactly where the company has come from and where it is going in this incredibly competitive industry,” he says.
“I am delighted to be working with some of the most committed infrastructure engineers in the world. I told Yondr I would build them a global business that they could be proud of and that’s exactly what I did. I leave that company with fond memories having been there from the start but it’s time to move on and I’m now incredibly excited about what’s in store for me at AVK.”
Focus on people and performance
Paul highlights his leadership approach as a blend of technical expertise and people-focused management.
“I have a reputation for bringing the whole ‘boots to boardroom’ element of being a COO; I’ve worked as an engineer and I want to be an enabler for our engineers and take their viewpoint to the board,” he adds.
“I’m also known for investing in people, getting decisions done and getting things over the line and I’m truly excited about my forthcoming journey at AVK.”
Strengthening AVK’s data centre strategy
Paul joins AVK as the company advances plans to expand its integrated power solutions for data centres.
Over the coming months, AVK will enhance its full power chain offering, spanning prime power, microgrids, standby and modular energy solutions. These developments aim to set the company apart in a competitive market where reliable, resilient and sustainable power is critical.
Paul will play a central role in elevating AVK’s Service & Maintenance operations, strengthening client relationships and shaping long-term partnerships.
By aligning operational excellence with the company’s expanding portfolio, his leadership will help AVK deliver a seamless, end-to-end experience for customers.
As demand for resilient energy infrastructure continues to rise alongside data centre growth, Paul’s appointment underlines AVK’s ambition to remain at the forefront of power solutions for mission-critical environments.
