Westgate Global appoints Andy Thomas as Data Centre lead

Westgate Global has appointed Andy Thomas as Data Centre Lead following growth in its data centre project pipeline.

Thomas joined Westgate Global in 2021 as Head of Industrial Sales. In his new role, he will advise data centre contractors and project managers on weather protection strategies for construction sites, including at the design and planning stage of build programmes.

The appointment comes as weather disruption becomes a bigger issue for construction schedules, particularly on data centre projects where delivery timetables are tight and assets are costly. Westgate Global is targeting support for projects in the UK, US and parts of Europe.

The company has worked on 12 data centre projects in 2026 and expects to secure another 40 before the end of the year. The wider business has operated for about 40 years across sectors including manufacturing, aerospace and warehousing.

Weather delays

Construction groups working on data centres face several weather-related constraints. Near-freezing temperatures can prevent concrete pours, while high temperatures can affect structural quality. Heavy rain and strong winds also create safety risks and can interrupt schedules.

These pressures come as governments and operators seek more data centre capacity to support rising demand for digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence workloads. Westgate Global pointed to a market backdrop in which a significant share of planned AI-focused data centre projects are already behind schedule.

Thomas said weather planning must be treated as a central part of delivery rather than a secondary concern.

"The data centre market is one of the fastest-growing sectors not only in the UK, but also in Europe and North America. Appetite for data centre capability is increasing exponentially, and with that comes intense pressure on construction programmes."

He added that weather issues affect more than programme timing. Dust, moisture and temperature variation can also interfere with the installation of sensitive equipment, particularly where fit-out activity overlaps with building works.

Westgate Global supplies screening and partitioning systems designed to shield construction areas from wind, rain, dust and temperature swings. Its temporary screening can also support cleanroom conditions next to active works, allowing some installation activity to continue before full structural completion.

Sector focus

Westgate Global's increased focus on data centres reflects a broader shift among suppliers serving large construction projects. As operators push for faster delivery, contractors are looking for ways to reduce delays caused by environmental factors outside their control.

Chief Executive Officer Murray Gates said the new role responds to changing on-site conditions.

Thomas said: "Alongside tight schedules and pressure from operators to deliver on time, contractors are facing external and environmental factors without adequate weather risk management strategies in place."

Gates linked the appointment to the effect of more volatile weather on project schedules.

Murray Gates, Chief Executive Officer at Westgate Global, said: "This appointment is a direct response to what we're seeing on the ground: unpredictable weather is becoming the new normal, and it is a major operational risk to delivery schedules.

"If the industry is going to hit the ambitious growth targets set by both government and market demand, we have to change how we build. Andy's experience and focus on the data centre market will help contractors and operators build in weather resilience from day one to deliver complex projects on time and within budget."

Westgate Global operates in the UK, Europe and the US and specialises in screening, partitioning and modular hoarding systems for live and complex build environments. In the data centre market, it is positioning its offering around preventing weather delays and protecting sensitive fit-out work as demand for new capacity continues to rise.