Kao Data appoints Pete Judson as Chief Operating Officer

Thu 1 Aug 2024

Developer and operator of data centres engineered for artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computing, Kao Data, has announced the appointment of Pete Judson as its new Chief Operating Officer.

Kao Data said Judson has over 30 years of operational leadership experience across the complete spectrum of data centre life cycle services. Judson has established a reputation and a strong track record for creating and leading large-scale teams to deliver the highest standards of user service and operational excellence.

“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,” said Doug Loewe, CEO at Kao Data.

Judson joins Kao Data at a major inflection point, as the company accelerates the growth of its advanced data centre platform into next-tier markets across the UK and continental Europe.

“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,” said Pete Judson, COO, Kao Data.

Judson joins Kao Data from global data centre operator NTT, where he spent the last four and a half years aligning its EMEA-wide operational delivery organisations into a single, multi-functional, +350MW data centre unit. His responsibilities included defining, building and leading NTT’s operational capabilities, implementing EMEA-wide change transformation programmes, and achieving various recognised ISO standards, which helped the company achieve record levels of growth during this period.

Responsibilities at Kao Data

Judson’s appointment to the Kao Data senior management team aims to provide essential strategic and technical operational support alongside Paul Finch, who transitions to the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Judson’s responsibilities will include primary ownership of key operational functions like operations, customer implementation, design and engineering, networks and systems, security, incident management, and health and safety.

Judson’s values are also well-aligned with Kao Data’s mission to build one of the industry’s most diverse, equitable, and inclusive digital infrastructure organisations. Kao Data said Judson brings extensive people management and mentoring expertise, driven by a passion for building and leading high-performing, safe, effective, and efficient teams.

Pete Judson begins his tenure as Kao Data’s new Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect.