We ‘deep dive’ with Eric Schwartz, CEO at CyrusOne, – who tells us about life inside and outside of the office.
What would you describe as your most memorable achievement in the data centre industry?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have a number of memorable moments that I achieved through my career.
One of my most memorable achievements in the data centre industry has been leading CyrusOne’s groundbreaking project in Bosque County, Texas. Breaking ground on our DFW10 campus marked a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Calpine to deliver a dedicated, scalable and sustainable power solution alongside an innovative data centre design. This US$1.2 billion investment not only reflects our commitment to advancing reliable, climate-conscious infrastructure but also demonstrates how CyrusOne is shaping the future of hyperscale data centres. For me, this milestone stands out as a flagship achievement that brings innovation, economic growth and meaningful impact to both our customers and the broader Texas community.
What made you first think of a career in technology/ data centres?
I’ve really been drawn to technology from an early age. One of my earliest memories is being three-years-old in a University of Illinois mainframe data centre where my father was working on his doctoral thesis – I was handed a ping pong ball to keep myself entertained while he worked, and I can still remember how cold and fascinating that room felt. From there, I kept building on that curiosity: assembling my own calculator kit at nine, repairing Apple II computers in my parents’ store during high school and later working on computing systems tied to satellites. But what truly sparked my passion for data centres specifically came in the late 1990s, as the Internet was taking off. I was managing the buildout of networks inside large facilities, and the complexity and scale of what it took to make those systems work really captured me. That experience set me on a path that ultimately led me here to CyrusOne, where I get to continue fuelling that same sense of curiosity and innovation at a much larger scale.
What style of management philosophy do you employ in your current position?
As a leader, I strongly believe that listening to everyone, no matter the level or position, is invaluable. My management philosophy is rooted in listening first and creating an environment where every employee understands that their perspective matters.
In a fast-growing industry like data centres, the best ideas often come from those closest to the work, so I prioritise open dialogue and collaboration at all levels of the organisation.
I also encourage transparency and regular feedback, because it not only strengthens trust but also allows us to adapt quickly to challenges and opportunities. Collaboration is essential – whether it’s across technical teams, operations or customer-facing roles, we are most successful when we problem-solve together. I also believe strongly in empowering employees, giving them the tools, autonomy and support to grow while holding us collectively accountable for results.
At the same time, we’re doing important work, but that doesn’t mean we need to be self-important. I look for people who bring humility and humour – it keeps us sharp and strengthens our team when things get intense.
Ultimately, my goal is to foster a culture where people feel heard, valued and motivated to contribute to our shared success.
What do you think is the current hot talking point within the data centre space?
One of the more notable conversations in our industry right now is the explosive growth of AI and how it’s redefining the role of the data centre. We’re seeing that data centres are moving from simply being the backbone of digital infrastructure to becoming the engine that enables entirely new breakthroughs in science, business and everyday life.
The pace of AI innovation is pushing us to reimagine what’s possible in design, scale and sustainability. That said, we’re only scratching the surface of what this next era of data centres will look like. AI is also driving unprecedented demand for capacity and efficiency, which challenges us to think differently about power, cooling and long-term resource use – all of which is incredibly exciting.
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office?
I like to cycle, both as a hobby and a form of exercise. I used to be an avid beach volleyball player, but as my knees aged, I switched to road cycling. One of the highlights for me has been riding the 150-mile, 11-city tour in the Netherland – not just once, but five times. It’s an incredible experience for the challenge itself, and because you’re surrounded by 10,000 other riders sharing the journey. It’s beautiful and energising, and it gives me the balance I need outside of the office.
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry?
As we look at where capital is flowing in the industry today, the priorities are very clear. First, energy infrastructure is top of mind. AI-driven demand has accelerated power requirements to a level we’ve never seen before, which is why we’re investing in resilient generation, renewable integration and storage solutions to ensure long-term reliability.
Second, growth requires scale – putting resources into new hyperscale campuses in both traditional and emerging markets. Investors should expect to see continued activity not only in the big hubs, but also in fast-rising regions where permitting, power availability and customer demand align.
Third, efficiency and sustainability shape every investment decision. That includes scaling advancing liquid and immersion cooling for high-density workloads and deploying digital tools that improve energy use and operating costs.
Ultimately, the focus is on building the capacity and efficiency to support density requirements and AI growth, while ensuring that every dollar of investment positions us for sustainable, long-term returns.
What are the region-specific challenges you encounter in your role?
Each region presents distinct challenges as we expand our data centre portfolio, and we work diligently to address them in partnership with local communities. We pride ourselves on our ability to deploy advanced cooling technologies that curtail water consumption and implement specific architectural and engineering designs to reduce sound and light impacts. Our designs ensure that we are not taking water from local communities, and we are working with electric and power companies to ensure we can also give back to the grid.
Equally important, though, is our role as a good neighbour. We recognise that our success depends on the communities where we operate, so we place a strong emphasis on open, transparent communication and identifying ways to create a positive impact. That includes supporting economic development, contributing to local initiatives and ensuring our facilities bring lasting benefits to the regions we call home.
Another dimension is recognising that each country where we operate has its own technology and economic development strategies, and we work closely with government officials to ensure our operations align with those broader national priorities. For example, our water conservation initiatives in the US are consistent with policies in high-stress areas like Arizona and Texas, where efficient resource use is critical. Similarly, our recent investments in the UK have been supported by the government’s technology leadership, including recognition from the Minister for Technology at the launch of our London 6 facility. These partnerships help us align with local and national goals while also delivering the commitments our customers make to support the communities they serve.
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the coming months?
In the last year, my role as CEO has evolved as AI has rapidly become the defining force in our industry, reshaping how we think about infrastructure, scale and innovation. The pace of change is extraordinary – GPU lifecycles now run just two to four years – which means we have to build data centers with adaptability and flexibility at their core.
That’s why CyrusOne introduced Intelliscale, a next-generation platform designed specifically for AI and high-density compute. Intelliscale supports rack densities in a compact, scalable footprint, addressing the thermal and spatial challenges that legacy infrastructure can’t accommodate.
It allows us to deliver advanced cooling, operational flexibility and the ability to scale efficiently as AI demand continues to accelerate.
Looking ahead, I expect my job will increasingly focus on leading this convergence of AI and energy – working with partners and helping guide the industry toward a future where growth and environmental responsibility go hand-in-hand.
