Kao Data CTO Paul Finch Steps Down and COO Role Expands

Kao Data has announced that long-standing Chief Technical Officer Paul Finch will step down from his position after more than ten years with the company. Paul will remain with Kao Data as a Senior Advisor to the Board, continuing to support the firm as it scales its AI and high-performance computing (HPC) data centre platform across the UK.

The transition marks a new phase for Kao Data, a specialist developer and operator of data centres designed for advanced computing workloads. As part of the change, Chief Operating Officer Pete Judson will assume responsibility for data centre design and construction, in addition to overseeing the company’s award-winning operations team.

Paul has been a key figure in shaping Kao Data’s technical and operational strategy since its inception, helping establish it as one of the UK’s most advanced and sustainable data centre platforms. 

He has previously held leadership roles including Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, contributing to the company’s expansion into key markets such as AI, life sciences, cloud computing and financial services.

Leadership evolution for next growth phase

As Kao Data moves into its next stage of development, Paul’s design and construction duties will transition to Pete Judson. This structural shift aims to align the company’s development, build and operational teams, creating a seamless framework for future data centre projects.

Paul says his time with Kao Data has been defined by collaboration and long-term vision.

“From our earliest moments, the founding investors asked me to embrace their vision - building on the legacy of Sir Charles Kao OBE, by creating an advanced infrastructure platform, serving an enviable and diverse, blue-chip customer portfolio,” he says. 

“Our achievements together during the last ten years were made possible by the trust and accountability of our shareholder consortium - Goldacre, the Noe Group, Legal & General and Infratil - and the talented, dedicated professionals and friends who joined me on this journey, for whom I will always be grateful and wish continued success.”

His contribution extends beyond engineering design. Under his guidance, Kao Data delivered a scalable and efficient data centre platform optimised for AI and HPC workloads. The company’s precision-engineered infrastructure and sustainability credentials have made it a trusted choice for enterprise and research customers requiring secure, high-density environments.

Recognising a decade of engineering leadership

David Bloom, Founder and Executive Chairman of Kao Data, says Paul’s impact on the company’s growth and technical excellence cannot be overstated.

“On behalf of Kao Data I would like to express our utmost thanks and gratitude to Paul, who has played a fundamental role in shaping Kao Data into one of the UK’s most respected data centre platforms,” says David. 

“From its earliest days, Paul brought exceptional clarity of vision, engineering excellence, and calm leadership to a complex and ambitious undertaking.”

David adds: “I’d like to thank Paul for his dedication, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our mission, which have been exemplary. While we will miss his day-to-day participation, we look forward to his continued involvement as Senior Advisor to the Board.”

Paul’s move to an advisory capacity ensures continuity as Kao Data accelerates its development strategy. His technical oversight and experience will continue to inform the company’s approach to scalable infrastructure design and energy-efficient operations, which have become central to modern data centre planning.

Strengthening Kao Data’s strategic foundation

The leadership transition coincides with the appointment of Clinton Hasell as Chief Business Officer, reinforcing the company’s operational and commercial structure. Together, Pete Judson’s expanded remit and Clinton’s appointment form part of a broader framework set by David Bloom and the Board to strengthen Kao Data’s delivery capability for upcoming projects.

Kao Data continues to develop new facilities across the UK, meeting demand from enterprises and AI-driven organisations seeking sustainable, high-performance infrastructure. 

The company’s facilities are engineered to deliver optimal energy efficiency, consistent uptime and resilience, key metrics as AI and HPC workloads increasingly dominate the data centre landscape.

The transition underscores Kao Data’s focus on leadership continuity and operational excellence. With Paul remaining as Senior Advisor, Pete taking a broader technical leadership role and Clinton driving commercial growth, the company positions itself to meet growing industry demand while maintaining its reputation for innovation and reliability.