CHAMBER IS A GREAT SEGUE FOR BUSINESSES TO MAKE CONNECTIONS’

Matthew Grant, Development Director at Colt Data Centre Services, talks to Sarah Dale about the global firm’s partnership with Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce and their plans to develop their UK headquarters in the borough.

Colt Data Centre Services is a global sustainable hyperscale data centre provider with 18 state-ofthe-art data centres across Europe and Asia.

Its headquarters are in London with Data Centres also in Frankfurt, Paris, Rotterdam, Chennai, Mumbai, Inzai, Tokyo and Osaka. The company, which employs more than 500 people, designs, constructs and operates hyperscale carrier neutral data centres which are staffed 24/7 and supported by intelligent security systems.

They are currently working on a 10-year build programme in Hayes and have planning permission for two new data centres (London 4 and London 5) with planning applications being submitted towards the end of 2025 for a further three in the same area to form a data centre campus.

Colt Data Centre Services joined Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce in 2021 becoming a Patron member last year.

“It felt like the natural thing to do to join the Chamber as we were making such a big investment in the borough and it will be our UK headquarters,” says Matthew Grant, Development Director at Colt Data Centre Services.

The shell and core of London 4 has been completed and the technical fit has started. It is expected to be completed in September 2025. Construction work on London 5 will begin in January 2025 and its expected completion date is August 2028.

“The Chamber has opened a lot of doors for us,” says Matthew, who is also on the Chamber’s Advisory Council.

“It’s enabled us to integrate into the local community which is one of the key benefits.

“It has introduced us to a number of people across the borough including Brunel University of London and Uxbridge College, The Canal Trust and a lot of political leaders too.

“Equally, one of the things we’re trying to do is train apprentices and include local companies in our supply chains and the Chamber has opened a door for us. Our technical build partner employed a technical apprentice for the build in Hayes in September with a further two planned next September.

“We are working with Uxbridge College so they can train students inline with the requirements for the industry and for us to mentor some of these students in life skills and how to prepare for a job interview. That was an opportunity that came through the Chamber membership.”

Obtaining enough power approval is a challenge for the sector.

“The National Grid has not really kept pace with the requirements of the country,” he adds.

“That is a constant battle for us, and it needs urgently addressing by the Government.”

Matthew advises new members to make the most of the networking opportunities available at the Chamber.

“For us, it’s about meeting new people,” he says.

“We met Brunel University, who are partnering with us on a new community building we're planning on the new site in Hayes. The Innovation Hub is a new community building which will offer space for start-ups and training. We’re building it and Brunel University will run it.

“Heathrow Airport is on the doorstep and that is the biggest opportunity for businesses in the borough.

“It’s about building up your network. Be openminded when having conversations with new people. You never know where a conversation will take you. You have to get yourself out there if you want your business to grow.

“It’s all about building up connections. The Chamber is a great segue for that and that’s what it’s all about.”