Onnec UK Managing Director Claire Keelan on three decades of growth leadership, the shift from execution to influence, and why bringing more women into the sector is a strategic advantage.
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.
Claire Keelan is an accomplished senior leader and the Managing Director for Onnec UK, with three decades of diverse experience across engineering, construction, and service growth leadership. She has a proven track record of driving major business growth while delivering the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and profitability. Claire combines strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of digital solutions and technology-enabled infrastructure.
A passionate advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion, she drives initiatives at Onnec and actively supports programmes such as Women of the Future, while leading the UK business with a focus on strategic growth, operational excellence, client engagement, and team development.
Drawn to the AI Revolution
Claire's path into data centres reflects both her extensive background and her forward-looking ambition.
"I bring a 30-year career spanning engineering, construction, and service growth, with the past decade increasingly focused on digital solutions and transformation," she explains. "Keen to be part of the AI revolution, I was drawn to ONNEC, where the opportunity perfectly aligns with the intersection of AI, technology, and finance."
She joined Onnec last year as Managing Director for the UK, with data centres becoming a strategic priority.
"Our top-tier global clients are leading hyperscalers and enterprise businesses with extensive Data Centre estates, allowing us to deliver innovative solutions at scale."
It's a role that combines her commercial acumen with deep understanding of technology-enabled infrastructure—and positions her at the forefront of one of the industry's most transformative periods.
The Shift from Execution to Leadership
When asked about her biggest career turning point, Claire describes a fundamental transition many leaders experience—but few articulate as clearly.
"One of the most significant shifts in my career has been moving from execution to leadership. It's a transition from being valued for what you do to being recognised for how you think, lead, and influence."
Early in her career, she was fortunate to have an exceptional manager who consistently challenged her with stretch projects and pushed her to grow. That experience shaped her trajectory in lasting ways.
"Over time, this experience has shaped my reputation as a problem solver and strategist—someone who delivers results while remaining calm and effective, even in turbulent situations."
It's a shift that required unlearning deeply ingrained habits—something she discusses candidly when describing her leadership evolution.
From Hardware to AI-Driven Ecosystems
The technical transformation Claire has witnessed is dramatic.
"Data centres have evolved from hardware-centric environments to highly automated, software-defined ecosystems that power cloud, AI, and global digital experiences," she says. "Their complexity has increased—but so has the opportunity."
What excites her today is the convergence:
"The rapid growth and blend of sustainability, automation, and AI-driven optimisation. We're not just maintaining infrastructure anymore; we're shaping the future of how the world computes."
It's a perspective that reflects her role operating at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and large-scale delivery.
Adaptability as the Essential Skill
Looking ahead, Claire believes adaptability will be one of the most valuable professional skills over the next five years.
"As the industry continues to evolve and operate within increasingly unpredictable environments, adaptability is becoming essential," she explains.
It enables professionals to work effectively within flexible models, supporting healthier work-life balance and long-term career sustainability. But it's more than just operational flexibility.
"Adaptability allows professionals to continuously develop their skills in response to rapid technological advancements, while also building the mental resilience required to manage change, complex project environments, and demanding deadlines."
Busting the Water Supply Misconception
One of Claire's frustrations is a persistent myth about the industry's environmental impact.
"The biggest misconception about the data centre industry is that it destroys local water supplies," she says firmly.
"Many modern data centres use closed-loop air-cooled systems that consume little to no water."
It's a misconception that damages the industry's reputation and obscures the genuine sustainability innovations happening across the sector.
Hybrid Leadership Grounded in Humility
Claire describes her leadership style as hybrid—blending traditional managerial clarity with modern, flexible approaches, underpinned by situational and transformational leadership.
Developing this style required significant unlearning.
"I had to unlearn habits such as equating value with doing, relying on control, or defining myself solely by expertise."
She also had to let go of certainty, proximity-based leadership, reactive pace, overreliance on authority, and speaking more than listening.
"In their place, I've embraced trust, adaptability, outcome-focused direction, inclusive influence, strategic pacing, deep listening, and confidence grounded in humility rather than perfection."
"I had to let go of equating value with doing, relying on control, or defining myself solely by expertise. In their place, I've embraced trust, adaptability, and confidence grounded in humility rather than perfection."
It's leadership built on self-awareness and continuous evolution—not static principles.
Balancing Speed, Resilience, and Sustainability Through Discipline
As Managing Director, Claire balances competing priorities through what she calls a "disciplined operating rhythm."
"We drive pace by empowering teams with clear priorities, real-time insights, and devolved accountability, all underpinned by strong governance and a culture that anticipates change rather than reacts to it," she explains.
Success isn't abstract—it's measured through tangible outcomes: shorter cycle times, higher forecast accuracy, improved margin resilience, stronger employee engagement, and sustained client satisfaction.
The goal is clear:
"Ensuring that the performance we deliver today strengthens the business for tomorrow."
The Biggest Opportunity: Shaping the Talent Landscape
When asked what excites her most about the future of data centres, Claire's answer is unequivocal: talent.
"What excites me most about the future of data centres is the enormous opportunity to shape the talent landscape that supports it," she says.
As the industry expands to meet demands of AI, cloud growth, and sustainable infrastructure, one of the biggest opportunities is increasing the number of women entering and advancing within the sector.
"With data centres becoming more innovative and multidisciplinary—spanning engineering, sustainability, operations, and digital transformation—there is a clear moment to break long-standing gender barriers and build teams that reflect the diversity needed for better outcomes and stronger problem-solving."
For Claire, this isn't just a cultural priority—it's strategic.
"Bringing more women into technical and leadership roles isn't just a cultural priority; it's a strategic advantage that will fuel fresh thinking, unlock new perspectives, and help the industry grow responsibly and inclusively."
Her Advice: Remain Open-Minded
For women considering opportunities in data centres, Claire's guidance is practical and inclusive.
"It is important to remain open-minded when considering this industry as a potential career path," she says.
"The opportunities available extend far beyond engineering roles, with a wide range of non-engineering positions that are equally critical to achieving business objectives, sustainability targets, and positive community engagement."
The industry's rapid growth and significant investment create diverse and evolving career pathways. While no career path is ever completely guaranteed as secure,
"the continued expansion of data centres indicates that this sector is likely to remain an important and stable part of the global digital infrastructure for the foreseeable future."
It's advice that acknowledges reality while emphasising opportunity—and reflects Claire's broader commitment to building a more inclusive industry.
Leadership That Shapes the Future
Claire's career is a reminder that the most impactful leadership often involves shifting from doing to enabling, from control to trust, from expertise to influence.
Her focus on talent development—particularly increasing women's participation in technical and leadership roles—reflects both strategic thinking and genuine commitment to changing the industry's composition.
As data centres continue powering the AI revolution and global digital infrastructure, leaders like Claire are proving that building inclusive teams isn't just the right thing to do—it's what drives innovation, resilience, and long-term competitive advantage.
For those willing to remain open-minded, embrace adaptability, and step into a sector undergoing profound transformation, the opportunity has never been greater.
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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.
π© 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.
π 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.