AI, Cloud and Digital Infrastructure Drive Explosive Growth in the UK Data Centre Sector

The UK data centre sector is experiencing one of its most aggressive growth phases to date.
Fuelled by AI adoption, cloud computing, hyperscale expansion and digital infrastructure investment, demand is accelerating at pace — and so is the requirement for skilled labour.

From electrical and mechanical engineers to mission-critical specialists, the market is showing no signs of slowing.

At Strong Group, we work directly with contractors, developers and operators across the UK data centre landscape, supporting projects from early build stages through to live environments.

Why UK Data Centres Are Expanding at Record Speed

Several forces are converging to drive this growth:

• AI workloads requiring high-density, resilient infrastructure

• Continued cloud migration across enterprise and public sector

• Hyperscale operators expanding UK footprints

• Increased demand for low-latency, secure, sovereign data storage

• Long-term digital infrastructure investment backed by global capital

London, the M4 corridor, Manchester and emerging regional hubs are all seeing sustained activity, with new builds, expansions and upgrades running in parallel.

Labour Demand Is Rising — Fast

With this expansion comes an unprecedented requirement for skilled professionals.

We are seeing sharp increases in demand across:

Electrical Roles

• Data Centre Electricians

• HV / LV Engineers

• Electrical Supervisors & Managers

• Authorised Persons (AP / SAP)

• Commissioning Engineers

Mechanical Roles

• Mechanical Engineers

• HVAC & Cooling Specialists

• Pipefitters & Mechanical Supervisors

• Mechanical Project Managers

Mission-Critical & Specialist Roles

• Data Centre Project Managers

• Site & Construction Managers

• Commissioning Managers

• Operations & Maintenance Engineers

• Shift Engineers (Critical Environments)

Clients are competing for talent — and delays in hiring are now directly impacting project timelines.

The Skills Shortage Challenge

Despite strong candidate interest, the sector faces a clear skills gap, particularly in:

• Data centre-specific experience

• Commissioning and live-environment work

• HV authorisations and critical infrastructure exposure

• Candidates who understand resilience, uptime and compliance

This is where specialist recruitment becomes critical.

How Strong Group Supports the Data Centre Sector

Strong Group is an established recruitment partner within the data centre, M&E and mission-critical markets.

We support clients with:

• Permanent and contract recruitment

• Fast mobilisation of site teams

• Experienced data centre-trained professionals

• UK-wide coverage across build and operations phases

• Market-led salary and rate benchmarking

• Honest advice on availability and skill alignment

Our approach is direct, technical and delivery-focused — ensuring the right people are placed quickly and compliantly.

Looking Ahead: No Slowdown in Sight

With AI development accelerating and digital infrastructure becoming mission-critical to the UK economy, the data centre sector shows long-term resilience and sustained growth.

Labour demand will continue to rise, particularly for professionals who can operate in high-pressure, high-availability environments.

For employers, securing talent early is now essential.
For candidates, data centres represent one of the most stable and future-proof career paths in engineering and construction.

Partner with Strong Group

Whether you are:

• Expanding a data centre project

• Struggling to secure specialist labour

• Planning future recruitment pipelines

• Or a candidate looking to move into the sector

Strong Group is ready to support you.

Get in touch with our team today to discuss how we can help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.