In a recent edition of Hawk Talk, Mark Pestridge, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Telehouse Europe, join David Sandars, Regional Director for EMEA at datacenterHawk, to discuss the evolving role of Telehouse in Europe’s digital infrastructure ecosystem. Their conversation offers insight into how the company – one of the continent’s oldest and most connected data center operators – is adapting to meet escalating demands around power density, sustainability, and network performance.
Founded in 1989, Telehouse was one of Europe’s first carrier-neutral colocation providers. From its early days offering just 500 watts per rack, the company has grown into a multi-building campus in London’s Docklands, now considered among the most connected locations in Europe. Its strategic positioning allows customers to scale within a virtual campus model, reducing the need for costly long-haul connections. This model has proven especially valuable as enterprises and service providers shift toward more bandwidth-intensive and latency-sensitive workloads.
As modern IT workloads become increasingly power-hungry, Telehouse is responding with high-density infrastructure enhancements. Rack densities that once averaged under a kilowatt are now reaching 15 to 20 kW, with some installations exceeding 50 kW. To accommodate these requirements, Telehouse is introducing advanced cooling solutions, including hybrid and liquid cooling technologies designed to support performance at scale while minimizing environmental impact.
Mark Pestridge emphasizes the company’s dual focus on innovation and sustainability. A key example is the retrofitting of Telehouse South, which not only increased available space for high-density deployments but also reduced its environmental footprint by leveraging existing infrastructure and incorporating renewable energy sources. These upgrades are part of a broader strategy to balance operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.
Telehouse’s connectivity would remain one of its core differentiators. Through close partnerships with the London Internet Exchange (LINX) and a dense ecosystem of 800 to 1,000 telecom and cloud providers, the London Docklands campus functions as a critical node in Europe’s digital backbone. This high level of interconnection supports a wide variety of stakeholders, including cloud platforms, content delivery networks (CDNs), Internet Service Providers, and enterprise customers. Notably, even network providers – historically low-density users – are now deploying more power-intensive infrastructure, reflecting broader shifts across the industry.
Recognizing the talent shortage affecting the data center sector, Telehouse has also prioritized workforce development. The company works with local organizations in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to host mentorship programs, community outreach events, and career days aimed at attracting the next generation of data center professionals. These efforts are designed to increase awareness of digital infrastructure careers and build a more inclusive pipeline of skilled talent.
Looking ahead, Telehouse is continuing to invest in the future of digital infrastructure. Plans are underway to expand its Docklands campus and launch a high-density test facility at Telehouse South, where customers can explore next-generation cooling technologies in live environments. Beyond the UK, the company is also evaluating potential growth opportunities in Frankfurt, Marseille, and Paris to meet growing demand across the continent.
According to Mark Pestridge, Telehouse is focused on balancing sustainability, talent development, innovation, and reliability – an approach that reflects its leadership role in Europe’s evolving data center landscape. For infrastructure leaders, IT decision-makers, and investors, Telehouse’s trajectory may offer a window into the future of data center design and operations.
