Kao Data appoints Pete Judson as new Chief Operating Officer

Kao Data has announced the appointment of Pete Judson as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Judson joins the company at a time when it is expanding its European platform and is tasked with overseeing a range of operations including customer implementation, design, engineering, networks and systems, security, incident management, and health and safety.

Judson brings with him over 30 years of operational leadership experience. He joins Kao Data from global data centre operator NTT, where he spent four and a half years aligning its EMEA-wide operations into a 350-megawatt data centre unit. His tenure at NTT saw him implementing change transformation programs across EMEA, achieving various recognised ISO standards, and leading operational capabilities which contributed to record levels of growth for the company.

In his new role, Judson will work alongside Paul Finch, the former COO of Kao Data, who has transitioned to the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Together, they aim to advance the company’s mission of delivering excellence and innovation in digital infrastructure.

As the new COO, Judson will have primary responsibility for key operational functions. His duties include managing operations, customer implementation, design and engineering, networks and systems, security, incident management, and health and safety. His values align with Kao Data’s mission to build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive digital infrastructure organisation. He is also known for his extensive people management and mentoring expertise.

Doug Loewe, CEO of Kao Data, commented on the appointment: “During the last decade, Kao Data has led the charge on the development of industrial-scale data centres, engineered for AI, and is recognised globally as one of the industry’s most disruptive leaders. Appointing Pete as our new COO further vindicates our ethos for working with high-calibre industry professionals who have succeeded in some of the most demanding data centre environments, and we are delighted to welcome him into the Kao Data family.”

Judson also expressed his enthusiasm about joining the Kao Data team. “In just a short time, Kao Data has established an exceptional reputation for designing, building, and operating world-class data centres, and its entrepreneurial approach to AI and supercomputing has enabled it to move at a pace that has exceeded the market. As its new COO, I’m excited to join the organisation on the cusp of its European expansion and to work alongside my new colleagues to exceed the high bar they’ve already set for design, customer service, technical and operational excellence,” he said.

Kao Data specialises in developing and operating data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing. The company is expanding its footprint across the UK and continental Europe, aiming to accelerate the growth of its advanced data centre platform into next-tier markets.

Pete Judson’s appointment as the new Chief Operating Officer is effective immediately.