Vantage Data Centers Names New CPO to Lead Product Strategy

Vantage Data Centers appoints Robin Balen as Chief Product Officer (CPO) to lead its newly created product organisation, with responsibility for driving global strategy across its hyperscale data centre portfolio. Based in London, Robin reports to Executive Vice President Jeff Tench.

The new product division reflects Vantage’s aim to create a globally coordinated model that keeps pace with customer demand. With hyperscale and AI infrastructure evolving, the company seeks to improve how it delivers innovation, integrates feedback and aligns product standards across its regions.

Jeff says: “Robin brings to Vantage a distinguished track record advancing hyperscale infrastructure and leading high-impact innovation across global markets.

“His foresight into industry trends and uncommon balance of operational and technical leadership make him the ideal leader to drive the next phase of our global product organisation as we continue enabling the world’s most transformative companies.”

Focus on consistency and speed

Vantage says the standalone product organisation marks a milestone as it adapts to changing AI and cloud workloads. 

It gives the business a way to move faster without losing alignment across its global footprint. This approach supports a continuous feedback loop between customer requirements, engineering and delivery.

Robin will lead this effort by shaping product direction and ensuring all Vantage teams work toward a unified vision. 

He takes responsibility for translating technical demands from hyperscalers and AI clients into products that scale and meet operational expectations across campuses.

The company aims to stay agile while also offering standardisation. With data centre infrastructure growing more complex, particularly as AI reshapes power and cooling needs, having a centralised product strategy enables better planning and faster deployment.

Data centre growth experience

Robin brings more than two decades of experience in data centre development, with a strong focus on hyperscale design and delivery. In 2000, he founded Gyron, a UK-based business that became a market leader before its acquisition by NTT. He led Gyron through its growth and spent seven years in senior roles after the acquisition.

More recently, Robin worked as principal at Asymptote Solutions, advising infrastructure operators and investors. His work includes product design, architecture planning and global delivery models for large cloud and AI platforms.

This background supports Vantage’s goal to scale with consistency across markets. With facilities operating in North America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific, Vantage needs a product approach that works across regulatory, technical and commercial requirements.

Robin’s experience leading complex infrastructure programmes makes him well-positioned to align engineering, operations and commercial teams around product delivery.

Supporting AI-led infrastructure demand

As AI workloads expand, Vantage sees demand rising for scalable, efficient and sustainable infrastructure. Meeting this demand depends on having repeatable product models that can be deployed globally, with minimal delay and tailored to client requirements.

Robin’s role is to ensure Vantage meets these expectations through product design that balances technical performance and operational delivery. His appointment strengthens the company’s ability to meet the infrastructure needs of AI and hyperscale customers.

Robin says: “I’m honoured to join Vantage Data Centers at such a pivotal moment for the company.

“Vantage has an exceptional opportunity to define the next generation of digital infrastructure, especially as AI workloads reshape global demand and the sustainable infrastructure needed to support it. 

"I look forward to partnering with teams across the company to build products and standards that lead the industry and deliver meaningful value for our customers worldwide.”