One year on from the classification of data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, the industry is beginning to be recognised for its importance in our day-to-day lives. A new awareness day, National Data Centre Day, is another key step along the journey to continue building public dialogue about the critical role data centres play, especially as the UK seeks to become a world leader in AI. Cavendish is delighted to support National Data Centre Day.  

Cavendish support a variety of clients across the UK to increase their visibility and engage effectively with local communities. When it comes to supporting clients with ambitions to build data centres, we have found that many communities lack an understanding of the immense economic and social benefits data centres provide. This includes individuals living near existing data centres, who may not be fully aware of the positive impact these facilities can have. A common misconception is that data centres exist only to power modern luxuries like music streaming and other subscription services – but this couldn’t be further from the truth.  

Data centres are the secure homes for some of our most important data, from online banking and national crime databases to digital health records. Without them, the crucial services we rely on daily wouldn’t function. The Government’s strong commitment to increasing both cloud and AI capacity, both through planning reform to expedite the delivery of data centres and the recent appointment of Jade Leung as the Prime Minister’s new AI adviser, underscores this national priority. 

But with this growth in AI and cloud compute capacity comes a responsibility to foster increased understanding by, and dialogue with, existing communities where data centres are built. Data centre developers and end users need to clearly, consistently and openly explain what data centres are, what they’re used for, how they create opportunities for local communities, and why investment in this sector is essential for our nation’s digital future. 

Raising awareness, through initiatives like National Data Centre Day, is about recognising how resilient, secure, and visible digital infrastructure affects so many aspects of our lives. We are already helping data centre developers build with community support and trust, and we’re dispelling myths along the way. 

Developers and operators are missing an opportunity if they do not attempt to bring communities on board when building new data centres. This requires greater transparency and a commitment to clear communication with the right stakeholders at the right time – whether that’s local residents, a council, or an MP. By shining a light on the industry, we can: 

Find out more about how we can support you to engage with communities positively and proactively about your data centre project, get in touch with James Harris.  

Visit the NDCD website to find out more. 

Follow the official NDCD page on LinkedIn.