Another year has flown by, and what a year it has been. 2024 was packed with developments that made a significant impact across our operations, partnerships, and projects. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from each quarter.
[Image: construction in progress at our new MCR2 facility]
We started 2024 strongly by taking a huge step in our sustainability strategy. The installation of free cooling chillers at our Farnborough facility is set to reduce water usage by up to 70% compared to our previous system. This innovative project forms part of our broader sustainability goals and ensures that resource management remains a core focus for our operations.
In February we announced that MCR2, our new Manchester facility, was being developed with heat re-use capabilities, allowing waste heat generated by the data centre to be recycled to provide heating for the local Wythenshawe community.
Our COO, Matt Edgley, spoke at two panel sessions:
In April we partnered with Bryt Energy, part of the Statkraft group, to ensure our facilities are powered by 100% renewable, zero-carbon electricity. This collaboration is a significant milestone in further reducing our carbon footprint and aligns with our vision for a sustainable future.
Excellence continues to define our operations. Our South East facility successfully renewed four key ISO certifications, reaffirming our commitment to providing secure, reliable, and high-quality data centre services:
We hosted 50 clients and partners at the Farnborough International Airshow in July and took the opportunity to reconnect with our valued network at this auspicious event that celebrates aviation and innovation.
We announced record-breaking figures for the first half of FY24, with sales 4.1% ahead of budget and revenue hitting £8 million. This strong performance reflects the effectiveness of our investment and growth strategy.
Data centres were officially designated as critical national infrastructure (CNI) this year by the UK Technology Secretary. This recognition underscores the vital role that facilities like ours play in supporting society’s digital infrastructure.
We achieved a GRESB rating of 90/100 in 2024 – considering our growth as a business (effectively doubling the criteria on which we are judged) achieving a consistently high score demonstrates our steadfast commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and robust governance in the data centre industry.
The UK budget introduced a series of financial initiatives and policies aimed at propelling the UK towards a more innovative, efficient, and sustainable future. It recognised data centres as key to driving innovation and sustainability.
We rounded off the year by hosting our first ‘lunch with a view’ event at our Manchester site. This provided attendees with the opportunity to find out more about the progress of the MCR2 construction project.
2024 proved to be an incredible year for Datum, filled with growth, innovation, and milestones that set the stage for an exciting future. We remain deeply committed to sustainability, operational excellence, and fostering meaningful partnerships as we continue to power the digital future.
Thank you for being part of this amazing year. Here’s to an even brighter 2025!