When I joined Kao Data, I found a company that already took health, safety and environmental performance seriously. The commitment was clear in the way colleagues worked, in the standards that guided daily activity and, in the pride, taken in doing the right thing even when it was not the easiest or fastest option.
Together, this is the essence of what we now call ‘The Kao Way’ and my appointment has not been to introduce something new but to help capture that spirit, formalise our strategy and hold us accountable for the progress we make.
It is one thing to live high standards; it is another to share them openly. Publishing our first HSE report is therefore an important moment. It gives structure to the principles that already existed within Kao Data and shows how we are applying them in practice. It allows clients to see that our approach to health, safety and the environment is not an afterthought but a central part of how we design, build and operate the data centres they rely on.
My own background has taught me that clarity of purpose matters. In the military readiness is everything and success often depends on the ability to plan, rehearse and respond under pressure. I see the same qualities in our operations. We rely on procedures, we challenge them when conditions change, and we treat safety as something that belongs to everyone, not only to managers or specialists. That culture of vigilance and shared responsibility is what gives me confidence in the strength of our foundations.
The report brings together the progress we have made so far. We have continued to improve environmental performance through renewable energy sourcing, efficient cooling and innovative backup solutions. We have invested in our people, supporting wellbeing and training Mental Health First Aiders, because safe performance depends on human performance. And finally, we have sustained a record of zero lost-time incidents, which we are determined to protect.
Just as important as celebrating achievements is looking at where we go next. Our HSE report sets out how we are sharpening our use of data to gain quicker insight, how we are embedding environmental considerations earlier in design and procurement and how we are deepening training and preparedness so that decision-making under pressure is consistent across all sites. These steps are not about changing direction but about taking a clear commitment and making it visible, measurable and future proof.
What makes Kao different is the way excellence is lived every day. Safe access routes are protected, change control is respected and customer areas are kept customer ready. Environmental management is not a side programme but part of how we operate
Scott Manton
HSE Director