In an exclusive interview on the floor of PTC’24, The Tech Capital spoke with Andy Power, President & CEO of Digital Realty, who shared his advice on navigating the complexities of the data centre landscape, shedding light on the influence of private equity, geopolitical dynamics, market volatility, strategic investments, cloud deployments, and the role of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in shaping the industry's future. Power highlighted a significant shift in the data centre market, particularly with the growing influence of private equity. He noted that private equity has played a pivotal role in driving the industry's growth and shaping its structure. The influx of private equity capital has fuelled investments in data centre infrastructure, leading to the expansion of facilities and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. He also emphasized the importance of private equity in driving innovation and meeting the escalating demands of the digital economy, especially in an AI world. In response to the current political scenario, Power acknowledged the impact of geopolitical dynamics and global challenges on the data centre market. He stressed the proactive strategies employed by Digital Realty to navigate potential geopolitical and regulatory challenges in various regions. By closely monitoring geopolitical developments and regulatory changes, the company is able to adapt its operational and investment strategies to mitigate risks and capitalise on opportunities in a rapidly changing global landscape. As a global CEO, Power dived into how he charters a course through the uncharted waters of market volatility and uncertainty. He emphasized the importance of agility, resilience, and strategic foresight in navigating the challenges posed by market fluctuations. Power also offered insights on discerning a path forward amid these challenges, emphasizing the need for a forward-looking approach, robust risk management practices, and a keen focus on customer needs and market trends. With a presence in 300 data centres across 50 markets, Power underscored Digital Realty’s focus on deploying capital in strategic assets, embracing sustainable practices, and leveraging advanced technologies to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive landscape. Regarding the unprecedented growth in cloud deployments during COVID and its subsequent slowdown, Power identified various factors contributing to this shift. He discussed the evolving needs of enterprises, changing digital infrastructure requirements, and the maturation of cloud adoption. He also shed a light into the future trajectory of cloud deployments, pointing out the continued relevance of cloud technologies in enabling digital transformation and the seamless delivery of services. In light of the evolving nature of service and network-centric data centres, Power shared his perspective on whether REIT structures are conducive to the new world of digital infrastructure. He envisions the role of REITs in shaping the industry's future, emphasizing their potential to drive sustainable growth, attract capital, and foster innovation in the digital infrastructure sector. He also highlighted the importance of aligning REIT structures with the evolving needs of the industry to support its long-term success. +++ Follow us on: Subscribe: https://thetechcapital.com/register/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetechcapital_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-tech-capital Instagram: https://instagram.com/thetechcapital_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Tech-Capital-101679965480510 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZ8yuPvtECZCwV2g9OkX1w

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