Australian Data Centres (ADC) has appointed global Microsoft Cloud and AI division executive Mark Pont (pictured) as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Pont, who brings extensive international data centre development experience, has been charged with helping to significantly grow ADC’s Australian footprint outside Canberra by attracting new global customers and industry partners, ADC Executive Chairman Rob Kelly said.
“Mark’s international and Australian credentials make him an ideal candidate to lead ADC’s next growth phase. He, supported by other yet to be announced highly credentialed members of his senior leadership team, will provide the industry capability and experience required to position ADC as a leader in specialised technical infrastructure and sovereign capability, Kelly added.
Prior to joining ADC Mr Pont had global responsibility for the site selection, design, delivery, and expansion of Microsoft Azure cloud region infrastructure. He ran multi-billion dollar programs that included the deployment of both hyperscale and edge data centres.
As part of this, he oversaw Microsoft’s $5 billion two-year investment in expanding its hyperscale cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Australia to enable government and business to seize opportunities in AI.
Mr Pont also brings a wealth of executive experience from other global as well as local technology organisations, particularly in hyperscale cloud, AI, and data centre infrastructure. His comprehensive background provides him with a distinctive perspective to effectively drive the delivery of multi-billion dollar infrastructure programmes aligned to ADC’s business strategy.
Mr Pont said he was attracted to ADC by its past achievements and what it could become.
“I saw an opportunity to join an agile, Australian organisation—one that is well positioned to respond to the rapidly evolving needs of AI and Hyperscale cloud technology providers. With ADC’s deep industry expertise and focus on sovereign ownership, it is positioned to deliver next-generation data centre services at scale to meet the significant market demand. As for what is next, it really is a matter of watching this space,” he said.
