How did you get into the data centre industry?
My journey into the data centre industry was completely unexpected. Before this, I was stuck in the photocopier industry, which was honestly miserable. It was during COVID, and while I tried to make the best of a bad situation, the job was draining, and my self-confidence took a real hit.
Out of nowhere, six days before my wedding, I got contacted by a recruiter about a job in the data centre industry. I had never even heard of a data centre let alone knew there was a whole industry, but I wasn’t happy where I was so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give it a shot. Two days before my wedding, I had my first interview at Kao Data and everything just clicked. I got married, went on my honeymoon, and came back to a second interview that felt like fate.
At the time, I didn’t even know what the data centre industry was, but looking back that leap of faith was the best decision I could have made. The industry is so supportive of women, and it has such a forward-thinking, opportunity-focused vibe compared to the archaic environment I came from. The women (and men) I’ve met have been so supportive, and it’s made me feel like I truly belong.
I absolutely love what I do and I’m so grateful that the data centre industry found me. If I had known about it earlier, I would have chosen it in a heartbeat.
If your application is successful, Harlow Council will transfer the grant by BACS. Bank details (account name, number and sort code) will need to be supplied with a summary of accounts.
Funding conditions: If your application is successful, your project must be delivered by 31 December 2026. You will have to return any grant funds if the project is not delivered or the organisation receiving the funding stops operating.
A contract agreement will need to be signed between your organisation and Harlow District Council before any funding is granted.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Grant recipients will be required to provide an end of project report to establish whether the project has met its aims and objectives, as well as to assess the overall impact on participants. Funding for the project is provided on the basis that the Project Evaluation form is returned within the agreed project timescale (no later than 31 January 2027).
Risks and Liabilities: In giving grants the ‘Harlow Council’ will require the supported project organisation or groups to accept all risks and liabilities associated with the activity being supported. This will be a condition of the grant. Copies of relevant documents may need to be provided if the application has been approved.
Data protection statement – how we will use your information
The Council is committed to handling your personal information in line with the data processing principles. The Data Protection Legislation and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) sets the legal framework for how we collect, handle and process personal data and for your rights as a ‘data subject.’
General Data Protection Regulation: Personal data provided by you will be processed in accordance with this protocol. For more details, please see https://www.harlow.gov.uk/privacy-notice
Thank you for taking the time to read these guidance notes. If you have any questions, please get in touch with [email protected].
