Ed Cooke speaks about Legal Trends at Data Centre World Conference

Better management of supply chain issues and transparency around ESG credentials are the key drivers behind a growing demand for collaborative contracting according to Ed Cooke speaking about legal trends at the Digital Infrastructure Advisers Limited (DIAL) panel session hosted by The DCA (Data Centre Alliance) at the Data Centre World conference. Covid 19 had really strength-tested data centre contracts according to Ed, hence the drive to look at building longer term, deeper partnerships with key suppliers through collaborative contracting. Meantime, data centre client demand for accuracy on ESG credentials, was also encouraging improved accountability in supplier relationships. Ed and Conexus lawyer Nancy Lamb are already talking with a number of Conexus clients about introducing the approach to their existing and new contracts.

Asked by panel Steve Hone Hone about how Conexus is advising data centre clients managing the wealth of global growth opportunities, Ed highlighted how the firm is working with investors on applying due diligence to filter opportunities for investors, ensuring data centre expansion plans were rolled out efficiently by keeping them in line with original construction plans and, for US data centres, managing the many and varied nuances of harmonising construction frameworks across Europe.

While all panel members noted the success and growth of the UK data centre sector over the last five years, Ed also predicted a corresponding increase in the regulatory and compliance demands, especially around planning the environment. Ed said the industry bodies, like @DCA, had an important role to play here.