Westgate Global has appointed Andy Thomas as Data Centre Lead following growth in its 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. His remit includes input at the design and planning stage of build programmes, with a focus on reducing disruption from adverse conditions.
The appointment comes as construction groups face mounting pressure to keep large data centre projects on schedule despite more volatile weather. Westgate Global's formalised data centre strategy covers projects in the UK, the US and parts of Europe.
Westgate Global supplies screening and partitioning systems for live and complex build environments. It said weather-related delays are becoming a bigger issue for the sector as operators race to add capacity. The company has worked on 12 data centre projects this year and expects to secure about 40 more before year end.
Sector pressure
Demand for new data centre space has risen alongside investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, but delivery timetables are under strain. The release cited industry estimates that up to half of planned AI data centres are behind schedule.
Weather is one factor affecting delivery. Near-freezing temperatures can halt concrete pours, while high temperatures can affect structural quality. Heavy rain and strong winds can also create safety risks and slow work on exposed sites.
Thomas said pressure on contractors is increasing as construction programmes tighten.
"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," said Andy Thomas, Data Centre Lead at Westgate Global.
He added that many builders are still not planning adequately for environmental disruption.
"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," Thomas said.
Weather risk
Westgate Global is targeting that gap with temporary screening systems intended to shield projects from wind, rain, dust and temperature changes. It added that its systems can help create ISO 7 cleanroom conditions next to active works, allowing fit-out to continue in parallel in some parts of a build.
This is particularly relevant in data centres, where dust and fine particulates can damage sensitive IT equipment. Contractors often need to manage construction activity and technical installation at the same time, making environmental control a practical issue as well as a scheduling one.
Westgate Global has operated since 1977 and works across sectors including manufacturing, aerospace, warehousing and construction. Its push into data centres builds on experience gained in other live operational environments, where delays can increase costs and disrupt handover dates.
Murray Gates, Chief Executive Officer of Westgate Global, said the appointment reflects what the company is seeing across project sites.
"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 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," Gates said.