At Kao Data, our success is powered by the talent, dedication, and collaboration of our people. As we reflect on another excellent year, we’re proud to celebrate three colleagues whose impact has been felt across the business and have been recognised as our: Employee of the Year, New Starter of the Year, and Outstanding Contribution. Chosen for their excellence, leadership, and commitment to Kao Data’s mission, this year’s winners embody the best of our culture and values.
Employee of the Year – Gary Kilmister, Compliance Director
Crowned by his peers, Gary Kilmister is widely regarded as one of Kao Data’s greatest assets — a walking knowledge bank who approaches every task with kindness, good humour, and unwavering professionalism. Quite simply, there is no one better in the industry on compliance. Gary leads the charge in ensuring our standards remain first-class, with meticulous attention to detail and a calm, supportive presence that inspires confidence across teams.
But Gary’s contribution doesn’t stop at compliance. He’s consistently the first to raise a hand to help, no matter how big or small the request — contributing to other projects, working all hours when needed, and positively supporting the wider team. His readiness to go the extra mile, combined with his thoughtful leadership and reliable delivery, has earned him deep respect and gratitude throughout Kao Data.
New Starter of the Year 2025 – Marcella Starita, Investment Analyst
Joining Kao Data this year, Marcella Starita has made an immediate and exceptional impact. She has taken ownership of new project analysis, building out robust models and investment decks to meet shareholder needs and strengthen our decision-making processes. Her work has broadened the ways we assess projects, helping stakeholders feel confident in the rigour we apply to new opportunities.
Marcella’s influence has also been felt in her collaboration with our finance team, where she has played a key role in helping Kao Data report into — and work fluently with — the Board. Sharp, proactive, and consistently diligent, she delivers high-quality outputs and communicates with clarity, enabling smarter, faster outcomes.
Outstanding Contribution 2025 – Gary Elvins, Senior Delivery Manager
Another new joiner to Kao Data this year is Gary Elvins who has made a huge impact since the day he arrived. Taking charge of the challenging KLON06 Phase 4 expansion programme — a project affected by supply-chain and contractor delays — Gary jumped head-first into the complex customer technical-suite workstream. His strong leadership, clear daily communication, and effective contractor management helped stabilise delivery, minimise further delays, and ultimately achieve a successful RFS on the agreed timeline.
Gary’s results speak for themselves: a programme brought back on track, teams aligned around outcomes, and operational excellence maintained under pressure. His drive, experience, and fresh approach have strengthened the whole data centre operations side of the business.
Please join us in celebrating Gary Kilmister, Marcella Starita, and Gary Elvins for their outstanding achievements. Their work exemplifies Kao Data’s commitment to quality, innovation, and teamwork — and sets the bar for the year ahead.