Q&A with Paul Sharp, Buildings Manager, Telehouse Europe
Sep 26, 2007
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Paul's role involves the management of projects, contractors, sub-contractor and site services as well as technical liaison with tenants and co-location companies for both new and established business in the UK. Telehouse International Corporation of Europe offers data centre facilities and connectivity, providing a secure and resilient platform for mission critical IT systems. Established in 1988, Telehouse became Europe’s first purpose-built neutral colocation provider. Today, the company is at the heart of the internet and telecommunications infrastructure, serving over 700 customers worldwide, from small start-ups to multinationals across a wide range of industries.
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How did you become involved in the IT industry?
I originally worked for the maintenance contractor Matthew Hall at the Telehouse Europe Docklands site supporting the operations of the building.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
The Technical Director at Telehouse Europe. An inspiration in so many ways.
What is the biggest issue in the data centre at the moment?
Power monitoring for end users and their own co-location contracts. The quantity of circuits to be monitored is vast in Data Centre buildings as large as Telehouse Europe with so many companies involved.
What is the question you are asked most often in your business life?
"Can I have more power installed?" This is often with limited understanding of the impact to the immediate vicinity or the main plant which supports the load.
What are the best/worst things about your job?
Best: Everyday brings different challenges - great for keeping the job interesting. Worst: The phone call in the early hours with an issue that could have a big impact - wakes you up quickly!
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?
Get to know the operations and maintenance processes of the sites and the staff that look after it all. They are key to the continued success of any building.
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Which living person do you most admire and why?
Brian Blessed. Such a great character and mountaineering on a grand scale in more ways than one. In his own words "I am so famous!".
Where would you like to live?
The environmental conditions of Italy appeal greatly.
What is your favourite book?
The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden.
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
Victorian England. Engineering on such a grand scale. Particularly I would like to have seen Brunel's steel ship at the Isle of Dogs.
How do you relax?
BBQs in the summer, regardless of the weather, and in the winter, Six Nations rugby as friends and family are from most of the competing nations.
What football team do you support?
Along with many of the Telehouse staff, I am a rugby fan. My club is Leicester Tigers.
What is your desert island disc?
Wild West Hero by ELO from the album Out of the Blue. Perfect inspiration for being alone on a desert island.
What is your ideal holiday?
Activity holiday: walking, climbing or even caving.
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