Kao Data headline sponsors the North’s first dedicated Data Centre Summit

Kao Data, the specialist developer and operator of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing, is the headline sponsor for the Data Centre Summit to be held at Manchester Central on April 22, as part of the Connected North conference.

This full-day conference is an important step for the North West region to shine a spotlight on its fast-evolving tech and AI sector and for Greater Manchester to showcase its potential as one of the UK’s new AI Growth Zones.

The event brings together the commercial and public sectors as well key stakeholders from government and academia, along with the data centre and tech sectors specifically to discuss the current and critical issues around growth and development within our region.

The debate around the AI economy and potential new AI Growth Zones in the UK is critical at the moment given UK policy updates on AI, so it’s vital to come together in Manchester and continue the discussions around growing the AI ecosystem in the North West.

Spencer Lamb, Chief Operating Officer at Kao Data, will be presenting a keynote speech on the need for the UK to diversify its compute to new hubs like Greater Manchester, while Adam Nethersole, VP Marketing at Kao Data, will take part in a panel discussion on the positive impact data centres are currently having on society.

Other speakers include Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region; Liz Scott MBE, Director at Turing Innovation Catalyst; Matt Robinson, Head of Nations and Regions at Tech UK; Cllr Nick Peel, leader of Bolton Council and digital portfolio holder at GMCA, and many more.

The event has been organised by Greater Manchester Combined Regional Authority (GMCA) in partnership with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA); Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency (MIDAS) and Total Telecom.

Adam Nethersole, VP Marketing at Kao Data, said: “This is an important gathering for the North West’s tech community, bringing together key stakeholders to collaborate on a joint aim to further establish Greater Manchester and the North West as one of the UK’s fastest growing tech hubs.

“We’re looking forward to taking part in these important discussions and helping profile the North West for what it is – the perfect location for one of the government’s future AI Growth Zones.”

The topics being covered are:

• Economic growth and innovation – how the rise of data centres in the North can drive regional economic development, create jobs and spur innovation across multiple sectors.
• Sustainability and infrastructure – addressing the power, land, and environmental challenges tied to data centre expansion while exploring sustainable solutions.
• Policy and planning – navigating national government policies and local planning frameworks to support responsible and efficient data centre development.
• Future technologies – examining how data centres enable next-generation advancements in quantum computing, cybersecurity, AI and cryogenics.

Find out more:

https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/connected-north/Data-Centre-Summit.stm