As data centres undergo rapid change and digital progress, those operating at the helm of companies within the industry are being looked to for guidance, advice and competitiveness.
It is the role of the CEO to understand the latest events happening across the sector, while also trusting their workforce to engage with the latest technologies.
Data Centre Magazine spotlights some of the leading data centre CEOs in the world, based on their company’s ranking on the Dgtl Infra Top 250 list.
These individuals have committed to the best-in-class solutions, as the data centre industry seeks to power ahead in a more sustainable way.
10. William Wei Huang
CEO of GDS Holdings
Founded: 2001
Employees: 2,200+
William Wei Huang is founder and chairman of the board of directors at GDS Holdings and has served as its CEO since 2002.
From 2004 to 2020, he also served as a director of Haitong-Fortis Private Equity Fund Management Co., Ltd.
Prior to founding GDS Holdings, he served as a Senior Vice President of Shanghai Meining Computer Software Co., Ltd., which operates StockStar.com, a website primarily providing finance and securities related information and services in China.
9. Wu Huapeng
CEO of Chindata Group
Founded: 2015
Employees: 1,450+
Wu Huapeng is the CEO of Chindata Group. He joined Chindata Group in September 2019 as President of China Operations, where he spearheaded the development of a comprehensive digital economy ecosystem centered around customers, ecosystem partners, government entities and telecommunications operators.
Since February 2022, Mr Wu has served as CEO of Chindata Group, assuming full responsibility for the Group’s strategic planning, ecosystem development and global business expansion.
Prior to joining Chindata Group, Mr Wu founded iTechClub, an elite internet technology professional network.
8. Juan Font
CEO of CoreSite and SVP of American Tower
Founded: 2001
Employees: 600+
Juan is responsible for leading CoreSite’s strategy, innovation and growth while delivering value to customers, partners, shareholders and communities where CoreSite and American Tower operate.
Having first joined the company in 2010, he is now responsible for leading the company’s vision to empower a more connected future by increasing revenue growth and return on invested capital to the American Tower data centre portfolio.
He has more than 25 years of experience in general management, direct sales, business operations and finance in the data centre and telecommunications industries.
7. Hiromichi Matsuda
CEO of KDDI (parent company of Telehouse)
Founded: 2000
Employees: 64,000+
Having worked with KDDI since 2020, Hiromichi Matsuda became President, CEO and Representative of the company in 2025.
He has worked with the company for more than 30 years, making him well-versed in the world of technology, corporate strategy and engineering.
Based in Japan, he has a Master’s degree in Engineering from Kyoto University.
6. Spencer Mullee
CEO of Centersquare
Founded: 1987
Employees: 700+
As a data centre and real estate developer and investor, Spencer Mullee has been associated with hundreds of data centre and technology assets.
These total more than six million square feet with a replacement value of more than US$5bn, as of April 2024.
Spencer started his career as a technical trainer after receiving his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, before becoming involved with data centres in 1999.
Until April 2023, Spencer was the President and CEO of his own data centre consulting company, Via Lago Investments, LLC.
5. Eric Schwartz
CEO of CyrusOne
Founded: 2000
Employees: 700+
Eric is responsible for leading CyrusOne’s strategy and driving the company’s growth, including the development of strategic partnerships.
Prior to CyrusOne, he served as the Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Equinix, where he was responsible for the company’s corporate strategy and analytics, business development, acquisitions and corporate development.
During his 16 year tenure at the company, Eric helped its EMEA region build a market-leading position through investment and acquisitions, which led to him being recognised as European Data Center Industry Leader of the Year in 2015.
4. Douglas Adams
President and CEO of NTT Global Data Centers
Founded: 2018
Employees: 800+
As the global leader of the world’s third largest data centre provider, Douglas oversees the management of more than 150 data centres operating in 20 countries around the world.
He also leads the rapid development and expansion of NTT’s data centre division, managing more than US$10bn in capital development to deliver secure and sustainable infrastructure to the world’s most innovative brands.
Douglas is credited for being instrumental in shaping the data centre landscape and driving innovation in the industry.
3. Andy Power
CEO of Digital Realty
Founded: 2004
Employees: 3,600+ (2023)
Andy has served as Digital Realty’s President since 2021 and holds responsibility for its global portfolio operations, technology development and innovation.
He has also overseen the service provider’s enterprise customer solutions, asset management and information technology, in addition to its financial functions, during his tenure.
Prior to joining Digital Realty, Andy held positions of increasing responsibility at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, with his most recent role being Managing Director of Real Estate, Gaming and Lodging Investment Banking.
2. Adaire Fox-Martin
CEO of Equinix
Founded: 1998
Employees: 14,000+
Adaire was announced as the new President and CEO at Equinix in March 2024.
With more than 25 years of experience within the technology sector, she is joining the data centre company from her previous role as go-to-market President for Google Cloud.
She led her Google Cloud teams globally by encompassing sales, professional services, partner ecosystem and customer success.
Prior to her work at Google, Adaire held several key senior positions around the world, including at Oracle and SAP.
Adaire also featured in Data Centre Magazine’s Top 100 Women in Data Centres 2025 list.
1. Matt Garman
CEO of AWS
Founded: 2006
Employees: 136,000+
Having been appointed CEO at AWS in June 2024 following Adam Selipsky’s resignation, Matt Garman vision has been significant already in helping the company to progress even further in the global cloud and AI race.
Having first started at Amazon in 2005, Matt holds more than 20 years of experience within the company and has strived to help build his knowledge and a strong customer base.
Having worked as an MBA intern, he joined the company full-time in 2006 as one of the first product managers at AWS.
When appointed he spoke on the importance of keeping data safe, stating: “Delivering secure and operationally excellent services for our customers is, and will forever remain, our top priority.
“Our customers are not simply using AWS as a ‘nice-to-have’. They’re literally trusting us with their critical business operations, with their most important data and with how they serve their own customers.”
