Executive Summary

• For the fifth Women In Data Centres interview, Chief Editor Lauren sits down with Alexandra Thorer, PhD, the Chief Growth Officer at BCS Consultancy, to discuss her career path, industry improvements, and her golden rule for women entering the industry.
• She says that when people can see others who have built successful careers in the industry, including those who balance leadership roles with family life, it helps break down outdated assumptions about what a career in infrastructure looks like. Creating flexible career paths and supporting shared parental responsibilities are also important in enabling more women to enter and remain in the sector long-term
• Her golden rule for women entering the workforce is don’t be constrained by the traditional definition of the word tech. Infrastructure industries are evolving rapidly, and they need people with different backgrounds who are willing to challenge established ways of thinking.

How did you first get into the data centre industry, was it intentional, or did you fall into it? And what made you realise this was the career for you?

My route into the sector wasn’t intentional at first. I trained as an architect and spent the early part of my career working across complex infrastructure projects in sectors such as hospitality, pharmaceuticals and military environments. Over time, the projects I was involved in became increasingly technology-driven, and that naturally led me into digital infrastructure and data centres.

What drew me in was the realisation that data centres are essentially the physical foundation of our digital world. We’re building the environments where technology actually lives and operates. As our societies digitalise, these facilities are becoming as critical as roads or transport infrastructure. Being part of shaping that infrastructure and understanding its impact on how cities, economies and societies evolve is what made me realise this was the space I wanted to build my career in.

What is one thing data centre firms could do better to attract women from other sectors?

One of the most effective things the industry can do is to make visible the breadth of careers that exist within it. Data centres are often perceived as highly technical environments, but in reality the sector brings together expertise from architecture, urban planning, engineering, finance, sustainability, policy and many other disciplines.

Showcasing more women in leadership roles also makes a real difference; females bring in different viewpoints, which helps to look at projects more diversely. When people can see others who have built successful careers in the industry, including those balancing leadership roles with family life, it helps break down outdated assumptions about what a career in infrastructure looks like. Creating flexible career paths and supporting shared parental responsibilities are also important in enabling more women to enter and remain in the sector long-term.

How has mentorship or “paying it forward” played a role in your professional journey?

Throughout my career, I’ve benefited from people who trusted me with responsibility early and supported my development in complex environments. That has shaped how I think about leadership today.

For me, paying it forward means actively bringing the next generation into the industry, not only for women, but for young professionals more broadly. The digital infrastructure sector is expanding rapidly and we need diverse perspectives and skills to shape its future. Supporting younger professionals, encouraging them to explore infrastructure careers and helping them understand the impact of what they’re building is something I care deeply about.

What specific internal programs or women-led initiatives at the place you work are you most proud of, and how are they changing the day-to-day culture for your team?

I’m particularly proud of how BCS Consultancy invests in bringing new and diverse talent into the digital infrastructure sector. Our apprenticeship programme gives people the opportunity to enter the industry through a mix of structured learning and hands-on experience on real projects, helping them build practical skills while developing their careers from an early stage.

Another initiative I’m proud of is our athlete programme, which supports former elite athletes transitioning into consulting careers. The discipline, resilience and teamwork they bring from professional sport translates extremely well into our project environment and adds a fresh perspective and strong performance mindset to our teams.

What is your “golden rule” for women looking to move into tech?

My golden rule would be not to feel constrained by traditional definitions of “tech”. Many of the most important roles in digital infrastructure come from disciplines outside of pure technology, for example, architecture, planning, strategy, sustainability or finance.

Focus on the value you can bring, stay curious and don’t hesitate to step into environments that might initially seem unfamiliar. Infrastructure industries are evolving rapidly, and they need people with different backgrounds who are willing to challenge established ways of thinking. That diversity of perspective is what ultimately drives progress.