Slough is increasingly being recognised as Europe’s largest hub for data centres, with 34 currently based in the town and further developments planned. Its strategic location, strong transport links to London and access to a highly skilled workforce make Slough a particularly attractive destination for investment. As Thames Valley continues to establish itself as a leading technology powerhouse, Slough’s role within that ecosystem is only set to grow.
The importance of data centres to the digital economy cannot be overstated. Almost every online interaction – from cloud computing and streaming to financial services and public sector operations – relies on data centre infrastructure at some point. As demand for digital services continues to accelerate, so too does the need for secure, resilient and scalable data capacity.
Reflecting this, the UK Government now recognises data centres as ‘Critical National Infrastructure’, bringing them within the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime. This designation underlines their strategic importance to the UK’s economic and national resilience. The government’s Digital and Technologies Sector Plan further reinforces this position, identifying six priority areas- advanced connectivity technologies, artificial intelligence, cyber security, engineering biology, quantum technologies and semiconductors- all of which depend on robust data centre infrastructure to develop and scale.
It is therefore no surprise that Slough hosts significant concentration of global technology companies, with major operations and headquarters including Microsoft, CyrusOne, Equinix, Panasonic, O2 and NTT. Together, this cluster positions Slough not just as a centre for data storage, but as a critical enabler of the UK’s wider digital and technological ambitions.
To learn more about how the Chamber engages with the Defence Industry, please see here.
By Freya Thomson, Policy and Inward Investment Administrator, TVCC
