FEATURE
Tomorrow’ s world – an architectural visualisation of Stockton’ s Latos data centre.
THE EDGE OF TOMORROW
How Teesside-based Latos is revolutionising data centre solutions for a brighter, sustainable and AIdriven future
WORDS: SARAH DALE
Pioneering AI-purposed infrastructure – Latos founder Mike Carlin.
Work is underway on what will be the UK’ s first“ neural edge” state-of-the-art data centre in the UK – and it will be right here in Teesside.
Located at Preston Farm Industrial Estate in Stockton and costing £ 100m, the revolutionary neural edge facility comprises two data halls with a total area of 1,750sq m and will open in early 2027.
Unlike traditional cloud data centres, Latos’ s neural edge facilities bring powerful AI compute closer to businesses and communities. Achieving ultra-low latency, they cut processing times from seconds to milliseconds – boosting resilience and efficiency.
For global businesses and companies closer to home, this means easier access to cutting-edge AI, enabling capabilities such as autonomous technology, smart manufacturing, predictive healthcare and next-generation digital services.
Sovereign data processing means it will keep British data within UK borders, providing that extra reassurance of security.
Latos managing director Andy Collin says:“ AI is set to transform how we live and work. The future applications are incredibly exciting and will bring untapped opportunities to people and communities, just as the internet did. But to realise them, a new kind of data centre capability is needed.
“ We pioneered neural edge designs to meet this need. They support the most demanding workloads, are highly energyefficient and can be built faster and at lower cost than conventional facilities. Residents and businesses will benefit hugely from this AI-purposed infrastructure, which we’ re delighted to bring to our hometown.
“ Our nationwide neural edge network represents a fundamental shift away from traditional, centralised cloud models. We’ re building the infrastructure to power vibrant local digital economies- enabling startups and established businesses to thrive.
“ By investing locally, Latos is helping the region grow and retain the next generation of talent. Our greatest asset in the Tees Valley is our people- and we’ re committed to building the foundations for them to flourish.”
Latos was founded in 2021 by MAP Group founder Mike Carlin, drawing on more than 30 years’ experience in fibre and telecoms. From early electrical contracting to major broadband and fibre infrastructure projects with companies such as Comcast, NTL and Virgin, that experience laid the groundwork for what’ s next- building the
46 | Tees Business