Author: Lisa Scarlett, Lead Consultant at Eligo, Global Data Centre Projects
This interview is part of our Women in Data Centres series for International Women's Day 2026. Subscribe to Data Centre Perspective for monthly industry insights and exclusive interviews.
Head of Advanced Tech UK & Europe at Rider Levett Bucknall RLB , Nikki Venetsanakis PMP on stumbling into data centres, why progression isn't about knowing everything, and the power of radical candour in high-pressure environments
Nikki Venetsanakis, Partner and Head of Advanced Tech for UK & Europe at RLB, leads one of the most demanding practices in the built environment. With nearly two decades of international experience and oversight of more than 1.4GW of data centre projects, she's evolved from delivering individual programmes to shaping portfolio-level strategy for global hyperscalers. In this conversation, she shares how she "stumbled into" data centres, why asking the right questions matters more than knowing everything, and her advice for women: don't wait to feel ready—you never will.
Stumbling Into an Adrenaline Rush
Nikki's entry into data centres wasn't planned—it was accidental.
"I never envisioned a career in data centres and truthfully it feels as though I stumbled into the field," she admits.
Her initial expertise was in tall buildings. When her employer took on a data centre project in South Africa—still an emerging sector at the time—there was no dedicated specialist. She was assigned based on her relevant skillset.
"Little did I know, this would be the start of my career journey into a world of Advanced Tech!"
What kept her there wasn't the technology itself—it was what data centres represent.
"At their core, data centres are about people, trust and problem-solving at scale...and crazy pace. That combination hooked me early."
She laughs when describing it: "Some people get their adrenaline fix from doing extreme sports—I get mine from doing data centre work."
Starting in construction, she moved into Development & Project Management, learning the fundamentals properly: how projects really work, where they fail, and how decisions ripple through programmes, budgets and teams. As she moved into more complex, mission-critical environments, data centres became:
"The ultimate test of capability: technically demanding, fast-moving, globally connected and completely unforgiving of complacency."
Over time, her role evolved from delivering projects to shaping strategy.
"Now I focus on building teams, advising clients at portfolio level, and helping organisations scale responsibly."
The Turning Point: Knowing How to Ask the Right Questions
When asked about her biggest career turning point, Nikki's answer challenges a common assumption.
"The biggest turning point was realising that progression isn't about knowing everything. It's about knowing how to ask the right questions and having the confidence to use your voice."
Early in her career, like many women, she thought she had to be the most technically fluent person in the room at all times.
"That's exhausting and to be honest, unnecessary."
What really mattered were different skills entirely: judgement, communication, resilience and the ability to stay calm.
"Learning to lead without needing permission, and to trust my instincts even when I was the only woman in the room, changed everything."
It's a lesson she wishes she'd learned earlier—and one she's now actively instilling in her team.
"My goal now is to instil those very insights/values into my team as soon as possible, enabling them to achieve success earlier in their own careers."
Increased Complexity
Ask Nikki how technical complexity has changed since she started, and her answer is emphatic:
"The complexity has increased dramatically. Big time!" Scale, speed and consequence have all intensified. "Power density, resilience requirements, sustainability pressures, supply-chain constraints and regulatory scrutiny are all colliding at once. What used to be 'complicated' is now genuinely systemic."
But rather than being overwhelmed, she's energised by what this evolution represents.
"What excites me the most is witnessing the transformation of data centres from isolated entities to integral components of national infrastructure," she explains.
This has brought smarter design, enhanced collaboration across disciplines, and more transparent discussions on energy, water, and carbon usage. While progress still needs to be made, she's inspired by how far the industry has come.
"Reflecting on the advancements in the data centre realm over the past decade is truly awe-inspiring."
And the future? Even more exciting.
"The future holds even greater promise as we venture into quantum technology, space technology, and other previously unimaginable frontiers. Imagine the possibilities that lie ahead!"
The Skill That Will Matter: Systems Thinking
Looking ahead, Nikki believes the most valuable skill over the next five years will be systems thinking.
"What I mean by that is the ability to connect technical, commercial, environmental and human factors and make decisions that hold up under pressure," she explains. "Pure technical excellence will always matter, but the differentiator will be people who can integrate complexity, not just manage it."
It's a perspective shaped by her work at portfolio level, where isolated decisions rarely stay isolated—they ripple through programmes, budgets, teams and long-term strategies.
Busting the "Dull and Technical" Misconception
One of Nikki's biggest frustrations is a persistent misconception about the industry.
"The biggest misconception is that data centres are dull, repetitive or purely technical," she says firmly. "They're not. They're one of the most dynamic, innovative and impactful parts of the built environment and they desperately need diverse thinking to keep evolving."
For Nikki, correcting this narrative matters—both for attracting talent and for ensuring the industry continues to innovate rather than stagnate.
Direct, Human, Outcome-Focused Leadership
Nikki describes her leadership style as:
"Direct, human and outcome-focused. I care deeply about performance, but never at the expense of people," she explains. "In my world, having high standards and empathy are not opposites; they're partners."
Her philosophy is simple but powerful: "Be kind to yourself, be kind to others and remember that I've always got your back."
What she had to unlearn in senior roles was the idea that being strong meant being constantly available, agreeable or invincible.
"It doesn't. Real leadership is about clarity, boundaries and trust. You don't have to absorb all the pressure yourself (even if it feels that you do); ultimately, being the best leader means that you build teams that can carry it with you."
Its leadership built on partnership, not heroics.
Balancing Speed, Resilience, and Sustainability Through Radical Candour
How does Nikki balance competing priorities in high-pressure environments? By being honest about trade-offs and refusing to fall into common traps.
"Speed without resilience creates risk. Sustainability without realism creates delay," she explains. "The balance comes from early decision-making, disciplined governance and experienced teams who know when to push and when to pause."
She advocates for what she calls "radical candour"—creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up early.
"When people feel safe to speak up early, problems get solved faster and more sustainably. Silence (and lack of trust in people, process and decision-making) is what really slows projects down."
It's a leadership approach that recognises technical excellence alone isn't enough—trust and transparency are equally critical.
The Industry Is Growing Up
Looking to the future, Nikki is excited by the industry's maturation.
"I'm excited by the industry growing up, moving from reactive delivery to true strategic leadership."
The biggest opportunities lie in programme-level thinking, standardisation, smarter procurement and genuinely sustainable design.
But there's another opportunity she's passionate about:
"There's also a huge opportunity to redefine who belongs in this sector. The future of data centres will be built by people who think differently, collaborate better and challenge old assumptions...and honestly, I think that's incredibly powerful."
Her Advice: Don't Wait to Feel Ready
For women thinking about a career in data centres, Nikki's message is clear and unapologetic.
"Don't wait to feel 'ready'. None of us ever did and truthfully, you probably won't ever feel it."
Her advice is actionable: Say yes before you tick every box. Ask questions without apology. And remember that your perspective isn't a weakness—it's the value you bring.
"This industry needs more women not just to participate, but to lead and to shape how decisions are made, how teams are treated, and how success is defined," she says.
"There is space for ambition, humour, integrity and humanity here. Be unapologetically you and just Take Up That Space!"
It's advice born from nearly two decades of experience: stumbling into the field, learning to trust her instincts, unlearning the need to be invincible, and building a career defined not just by technical delivery but by strategic leadership and genuine impact.
Leadership at Scale
Nikki's career is a reminder that some of the best opportunities come from saying yes before you feel fully prepared. That progression isn't about perfection—it's about judgement, communication, and the confidence to use your voice.
As data centres evolve from isolated facilities to critical national infrastructure, the industry needs leaders who can integrate complexity, build trust-based teams, and challenge assumptions about who belongs and what success looks like.
For those willing to ask the right questions, embrace systems thinking, and take up space unapologetically—the opportunity has never been greater.
Subscribe to Data Centre Perspective for monthly industry insights and exclusive interviews.
📖 Read Irene Alonso's Spotlight on Career Transition and Leadership
📖 Read Concha Bibian Díaz's Spotlight on Collaborative Leadership and Design Innovation
This interview was brought together for our Women in Data Centres spotlight series for International Women’s Day 2026.
At Eligo, we work closely with data centre developers, operators, consultancies and contractors across the UK and Europe, supporting the growth of technical, design and delivery teams in one of the world’s fastest-moving sectors.
If this journey resonates with you, whether you’re building your team or considering your next move in the data centre industry, I'd love to start a conversation.
📩 Clients: If you’re looking to strengthen your design or technical delivery capability, get in touch with me to discuss how we can support your hiring plans.
📞 Candidates: If you’re curious about opportunities in data centres or considering a transition into the sector, you can check out our latest data centre roles here and I'm always happy to share insights and guidance.