Can you share your journey into the data centre industry?
I came from a data privacy background, working in various government roles focused on the economy, digital technology, and data protection. My work included significant projects like the Brexit Trade Agreement and laying the groundwork for the UK’s post-Brexit data protection legislation.
While I enjoyed shaping data privacy policies, I often felt like I was missing part of the equation. It’s like discussing AI ethics without fully understanding the technology—it’s all theoretical without a grasp of the systems behind the screen.
Coming to Tech UK, I knew data centres were critical to the digital ecosystem, but my understanding of digital infrastructure was more focused on telecoms, networks, and satellites. As I researched the sector for the role, I was struck by how fascinating and essential data centres are, and I hoped the role would be as dynamic as the industry seemed. It’s been an exciting and eye-opening journey into a field I’ve come to deeply respect.
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].
