The future of Data Center: interview with Thibaut Simeon

We met with Thibaut Simeon, Critical Building’s co-founder and head of External Relations. With nearly 20 years of experience, Critical Building is renowned for its expertise in critical infrastructures, particularly Data Center. Now a key player in this strategic sector, it provides its Clients with tailored, independent solutions covering the entire project – from site selection to operation.

Critical Building has just joined the GSE Group. This acquisition considerably strengthens our expertise and will help us respond to the challenges of a rapidly changing market. Together, with the backing of the GOLDBECK Group, we aim to become a European centre of excellence in Data Center engineering. With Thibaut, we explored how this promising alliance can move the industry forward and discussed his vision for the future of critical infrastructure.

Why sell Critical Building?

We needed a new impetus to help us meet the challenges of this rapidly changing industry. Critical mass is essential in a competitive market. We wanted to structure our organisation to secure the future for our employees and to better support our Clients – particularly in Southern Europe. In addition, one of our partners was leaving and we discussed how to ensure Critical Building’s long-term future. That’s when GSE stepped in, offering us the opportunity to join an ambitious project that was perfectly in line with our values and the interests of our employees. And the acquisition also meets market expectations. The tremendous growth of AI is creating enormous infrastructure needs. To give an idea of the scale, France is expected to double the energy consumption of its datacentres by 2030, from 9 to 18 TWh. This shows how fast our industry is changing – and the ambitious but well-advised responses it needs.

How does this align with your long-term vision for the company?

In the digital infrastructure sector, “long term” means five to seven years. Beyond that, it is difficult to predict the future, as this market attracts investors, pioneers and visionaries who are ready to make massive commitments. Critical Building addresses these facts and responds to the increasing demand, shorter timeframes, higher quality requirements and increasingly international clientele.

One key aspect of this acquisition is that Critical Building will continue to operate completely independently. How will you maintain this independence, while taking advantage of the resources and synergies offered by GSE?

Independence and technical expertise are the very foundation of Critical Building’s identity and offering to its Clients. GSE respects and shares this approach, which is at the heart of our partnership. We have agreed that if Critical Building bids for a project, GSE will not compete on that contract. This independence is our hallmark and it will be preserved. We share the same ethics and professional standards as GSE, so we can move forward together while maintaining our own governance and management.

How did your Clients react when they learnt about this acquisition? How did you reassure them regarding the continuity and quality of your services?

The market generally welcomed the merger: they can see the challenges ahead. Some Clients expressed legitimate concerns about our independence. We were able to reassure them by explaining that our autonomy and our DNA remain intact – and that GSE understands the importance of these values for the success of the company and the fulfilment of our employees. We can even collaborate with GSE’s competitors on projects in which our parent company is not involved. This alliance allows us to further shape and grow our organisation – and face the challenges ahead.

What brought GSE to Critical Building, in your opinion?

GSE was looking for a partner with recognised expertise to deploy its European Data Center strategy. Also, we have similar visions, values and mindsets. GSE is a leader in commercial real estate design & build and their parent company GOLDBECK is a major industrial player. They wanted to work with a Data Center design expert to complement their offering and shape the future together.

What opportunities does this partnership open up for your people and your Clients?

For our Clients, the backing of GSE and GOLDBECK means we can assist them with their major projects across Europe. For our employees, this acquisition opens new horizons for professional and geographical development – as well as exciting R&D assignments and rewarding work relationships. We are stronger together and we look to the future with enthusiasm.

Will Critical Building gain new services or capabilities to serve its Clients?

The warm welcome we received from GSE’s teams and their willingness to cooperate are real assets. We are already benefiting from their support services – including management, recruitment, IT, etc. – to streamline our organisation. This will enable us to better serve our Clients, improve our processes and jointly develop innovative services and products in line with the market’s evolving expectations. The new energy, and the sense that our values are aligned, is driving us to do more. We have all the cards in our hands. Success will depend on our ability to move forward together, always focusing on people. And I’m very confident. 

What inspires you, personally?

I value enduring relationships based on trust and sharing. I believe that you can only thrive at work if you also help your Clients, colleagues and company to grow and achieve together.

Trust is the key to any successful relationship. That’s what I find so appealing about GSE’s approach: it’s clear, transparent and – above all – people-centric. For us, the challenge ahead is equal to the market and its growth: it’s gigantic and it pushes us to go beyond, build, innovate and succeed together. This challenge inspires me every day.

So let’s not be afraid to love, laugh and have fun. This in no way detracts from the quality of our work and respect for others – quite the contrary!

Finally, we are also fortunate to be able to count on our colleagues at GSE: they are approachable, professional and always positive. Their warm welcome touched me. I wish to congratulate and thank them for their wonderful collective energy.

Thank you, Thibaut Simeon, for this insightful discussion on a key sector of today’s digital economy. A new chapter is beginning for Critical Building and GSE: a story of dynamic European leadership in Data Center engineering and design.