Building Trust and Teams: A Conversation with James Moloney

Insights on Career, Cloud and the Future of Data Centers in EMEA

Welcome to our latest Q&A profile, where we dive into the journeys and insights of Ada’s leaders shaping the future of technology infrastructure. Today, we sit down with James Moloney, whose career spans decades in engineering, leadership at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Intel, and now, pivotal work leading Ada Infrastructure in EMEA. James shares candid reflections on what it takes to deliver at scale, navigate rapid change, and build a company’s reputation that is synonymous with reliability.

Q: Can you share a bit about your career and what inspired you to join Ada?

I started my career as a technician working on electromechanical equipment at Intel and moved through manufacturing and engineering management roles during my 23 years there. I then moved to AWS, which was a tremendous learning experience. I began leading operations in Dublin before that role expanded to include all of EMEA. Eventually, I led capacity planning and delivery for the region.

In this latest chapter with Ada, I was drawn by the opportunity to lead the local team in EMEA and build its growth strategy. The startup spirit, the accountability from site selection all the way to operations, and the rewarding challenge of projects like the Dockland site in London made Ada the right choice. Most of all, it was about working with people I respect and trust.

Q: During your time at AWS, you delivered cloud computing across many regions. What does it take to deliver projects at this scale successfully?

If I've learned anything in my career, it's the critical importance of hiring and surrounding yourself with capable, driven people. When you have the right team, focused on clear priorities and committed to delivery, you cut through bureaucracy and make things happen. It's essential to have an intolerance for missed deadlines or lack of delivery. The single biggest lesson I've learned over decades is that the right people, with the right mindset and experience, are the keys to success.

Q: Looking ahead, what do you see as Ada’s biggest opportunities in EMEA—and what will be the keys to its success?

The AI explosion is the big one—it's both a challenge and an opportunity for every developer and provider. No one really has the entire AI roadmap figured out, but it's a revolution happening now with major potential. Meeting customer commitments is another critical piece. Clients need certainty: delivering on time, to budget, and to quality standards is what we believe will set Ada apart. I want Ada to be known as the provider that always delivers—a brand synonymous with reliability and quality.

Q: As cloud adoption continues to accelerate, how do you balance speed, quality, and sustainable growth in new and existing markets?

Cloud adoption is still in its infancy. To balance speed and quality, market analysis and local engagement are key. The right team promotes thorough analysis and strong project management, leading to quality outcomes and sustainable growth. You must operate within local rules and regulations, but equally important is being a good neighbor—whether that means responsible water usage or noise management and, of course, economic opportunities. It’s not enough to meet the minimum standards; contributing positively to the community matters for long-term success.

Q: What are the most promising trends or changes you see shaping the future of data centers in EMEA and beyond?

From a business perspective, the need for data—its usage and storage—is only growing, especially with AI’s rapid expansion. This means tech jobs and opportunities will be plentiful for years to come. On the environmental side, increased regulation in EMEA is pushing us to innovate in power efficiency, renewable energy use, and new cooling methods. Rather than just a hurdle, it's a force driving meaningful improvement and sustainability in our industry.

Q: How do you approach innovation in regions with complex requirements and rapidly evolving technology?

Again, it comes down to the team. Hiring passionate, informed people who stay on top of changes in their field is crucial. My philosophy is to give talented people the freedom and support they need—don’t stifle creativity or dictate every detail. Tell them what’s important but let them figure out how to achieve it. Allow room for failure, because innovation is fueled by lessons learned from setbacks. Test, fail fast, learn, and repeat.

Q: Where do you see Ada and your team in five years?

My vision is for Ada to be recognized by credible voices in the industry as a data center provider you can depend on, one that consistently launches on time and delivers quality. When customers put their critical workloads in Ada data centers, they can trust they won’t go down. If, down the line, someone says, “Moloney had something to do with that,” that’s great. But more importantly, I want to look at Ada and know we did an exceptional job, becoming the go-to for reliability and customer-centric delivery.