Kao Data: David Bloom to Lead Operator as CEO Steps Down

Doug Loewe has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer at Kao Data, with founder and Executive Chairman David Bloom resuming leadership of the AI-focused data centre operator after 18 months of shared leadership between the two executives.

In a statement the company said Doug would be focusing on philanthropic, political and academic commitments across Europe, Africa and the United States, with Kao restructuring its operations around its Senior Management Team, which will continue to handle commercial, operations, human resources, finance and development functions under David’s direction.

During Doug’s period as CEO, Kao Data secured contracts from clients across AI, Cloud and Enterprise sectors. These agreements enabled the company to commence construction of its hybrid-cooled KLON-03 data centre in Harlow in the UK. Kao Data also progressed the development of its £350m Greater Manchester data centre, and Doug oversaw the appointment and transition of facilities management services for its industrial-scale infrastructure portfolio to CBRE.

David founded Kao Data in 2014 and has maintained active involvement in the business throughout its development. “On behalf of the Board and the entire team at Kao Data, I would like to thank Doug for his vision and leadership during his tenure,” says David. “The company is supportive of Doug’s personal desire to progress his philanthropic and overseas interests, and thanks to his collaborative and inclusive approach, our Senior Management Team is well-placed to continue to progress and deliver our growth strategy.”

The company’s Senior Management Team will continue to manage day-to-day operations while David will provide strategic oversight, aiming to support the company’s growth trajectory in the AI-focused data centre market.

David adds: “Having founded Kao Data in 2014 and having been actively involved in the business' leadership since, I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the company again, alongside our SMT.”

Investors support Kao Data leadership transition

Infratil, one of Kao Data’s shareholders, has expressed confidence in the leadership transition. "On behalf of our shareholders at Infratil, I'd like to extend my sincerest thanks to Doug Loewe for his vision and leadership over the last 18 months, and the many successes he has achieved," says Vincent Gerritsen, Head of UK & Europe for Morrison & Co, Infrati’s manager. "With a leadership structure under the guidance of David and the SMT, we believe the company remains in a strong and central position to support UK AI ambitions and are confident in its continued growth trajectory."

Legal & General, which has been involved with Kao Data since 2019, also endorsed the transition. Matteo Colombo, Head of Digital Infrastructure Investing at Legal & General, views the leadership change as part of the company's evolution into a multi-campus platform.

“Legal & General has played a key role in Kao Data’s journey since 2019, and on behalf of L&G, I’d like to thank Doug for his tenure and wish him the very best for the future,” he says. “As Cloud and AI adoption increases, so too will requirements for scalable, sustainable, digital infrastructure, and having now grown the businesses to a multi-campus platform, we are excited to see what’s next for the UK and Europe’s leading, industrial-scale multi-tenant colocation data centre operator.”

Kao Data advances UK and European expansion plans

The company continues to develop capacity across its portfolio, with new facilities in Harlow and Greater Manchester coming online. These projects support growing demand for AI, Cloud and Enterprise infrastructure as organisations increase their digital infrastructure requirements.

Kao Data has initiated projects to support the UK government’s AI Growth Zone ambitions, while the company is also progressing European expansion opportunities, developing infrastructure designed to support demanding data centre customers.

“Although I am indeed stepping away from Kao Data to continue my academic, political, and philanthropic passions in the USA, Africa, and Europe, I am leaving the business in the very capable hands of its world-class Senior Management Team, overseen by its Founder and original visionary, David Bloom,” says Doug. “I will continue to watch Kao Data’s development as I accelerate my global activities and I pass the baton with nothing but admiration for the company, which no doubt will continue to see success – ensuring that Kao Data remains one of the UK and Europe's preeminent data centre providers, engineered for AI and advanced computing.”