WWith the summer holidays nearing a close across the UK, we took the opportunity to chat with some of the students who spent their summer with us for work experience.  

We try to give our work experience students a feel for the different areas we cover in our offices, from electrical and mechanical engineering to sustainability. We can also offer placements in other areas of the business, such as finance and marketing. 

Because many students are still figuring out which direction they want to take, having the chance to try out different roles can help them narrow down their interests or even discover something completely new. This year, we welcomed more students than ever across the business, particularly within our MEP and Sustainability teams. 

This summer, we welcomed Euan and Ava to our Sustainability teams in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Euan had recently finished his degree in Geography and was keen to gain some hands-on experience before heading to Barcelona to begin his Master’s in Sustainability Management. Ava joined us after completing her degree in Ecological and Environmental Sciences and is preparing to start a Master’s in Energy, Sustainability, and Development at Durham University. 

For both, the placement offered something more than just practical experience; it provided a fresh perspective. Euan, who was completely new to building services, found that working with tools like IES gave him insight into areas of the industry he hadn’t previously considered, and helped him imagine new possibilities for his future career. Ava had a similar takeaway, finding the experience valuable for learning skills that go beyond seminars, things you only pick up through doing the work. 

Reflecting on her time in the Edinburgh office, Ava shared: 

“The team in the Edinburgh office made me feel so welcome from day one, they took their time to answer all my questions (even the slightly silly ones) and helped me get to know everyone.” 

Euan echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the experience helped him build confidence with new tools and concepts: 

“Andy has been incredibly positive, and his guidance had been fantastic and very engaging through introducing me to the IES software, allowing me to begin assisting with projects and reports.” 

Both students were mentored by Andy Chan, Principal Sustainability Consultant, and Jamie Renwick, Sustainability Consultant. Their combined support and guidance helped shape the students’ experience, speaking about the value of mentoring, Andy reflected: 

“It’s a great opportunity to share industry knowledge while also gaining fresh perspectives. Watching them grow in confidence and apply their academic backgrounds to real-world challenges is what makes these placements so valuable, both for them and for us as a team.” 

Jamie added his thoughts on the importance of nurturing student talent: 

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to work closely with people at different points in their educational journey. I think that if we can help nurture students so that they can grow to present themselves confidently, the technical engineering knowledge will be easy to obtain.” 

We also welcomed Mackenzie to our Glasgow office this summer, a final-year Product Design Engineering student from the University of Strathclyde. Throughout the placement, Mackenzie shadowed a number of engineers across different disciplines, including Electrical, Mechanical, and Public Health engineering. This broad exposure allowed him to understand how each discipline contributes to a project and how they work together to deliver rounded design solutions. 

At Wallace Whittle, we like to tailor our placements to suit each student’s level of experience and background. Our training is designed to accommodate a wide range of skill levels, allowing students to build knowledge at their own pace. Depending on the duration of their placement, students may also contribute to live project work. For older students, particularly those in university or who have recently graduated, we encourage greater independence, giving them the chance to take on more responsibility. This not only helps build technical confidence but also offers valuable insight into the day-to-day workings of a professional office environment, something many students aren’t typically exposed to during their studies. It also helps ease the transition from academia to full-time employment. 

By contributing to live MEP design work, Mackenzie developed a real appreciation for the level of detail and planning involved in building design. He shared: 

“It has been brilliant to understand what goes on behind the scenes when designing a building and how much thought goes into every small detail. Whilst challenging, it has been rewarding working on real projects covering all aspects of MEP. I’m excited for the rest of my time here and grateful for all the knowledge which will no doubt help me in my final year of studies.” 

We also spoke to one of Mackenzie’s main mentor, Mechanical Engineer David Brown, to hear from him regarding the mentoring process and how Mackenzie benefited from his time here:

“I think we sometimes forget that it can be intimidating to walk into an office environment for the first time, there’s etiquette and processes and emails to get acquainted with before you even start on any technical content. It’s great to see people, like Mackenzie, gain confidence about the office and begin to deliver work that they wouldn’t have been able to when they first walked in the door.”

For our younger students, we like to provide early-career staff with the opportunity to step into mentoring roles. This summer, we welcomed Callum and Brenden to Wallace Whittle, both recent school leavers who were weighing up their next steps, whether university or a degree apprenticeship. Their placement offered an introduction not only to the world of building services but also to working in a professional office environment. 

Throughout their time with us, they gained a clearer understanding of what we do at Wallace Whittle and how sustainability is embedded across our projects. Supported by our Graduate Mechanical Engineer, Jack, and Degree Apprentice, Kelsey, both students were able to develop practical skills and grow in confidence as they explored the possibilities of a future career in engineering. Learning not only the basics but also starting to contribute to live projects and working on calculations.  

Brenden shared: 

“My time with Wallace Whittle has been very insightful, and the team has taught me lots about what services the company offers whilst being sustainable. The skills I have learned have been very useful in my path for the future, and I am hoping for a future in electrical engineering.”

We also spoke to Jack, one of their mentors, about the value of mentoring both for the students and for himself: 

“Working alongside students provides a unique opportunity to gain insights into our processes, and how they could improve, that we ourselves may overlook. Sometimes, taking things back to first principles is exactly what’s needed to drive quality. And it’s always rewarding to see how students can take initial concepts and develop them into new working ideas.

Beyond the purely technical experience, I believe Wallace Whittle in particular can help develop an overarching mindset that prioritises efficiency and quality. Both are highly desirable qualities in any Engineer.”

Work experience placements offer students valuable insight into how engineering works in practice, helping to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications. By stepping into a professional environment, they gain exposure to live projects, new tools, and industry processes that bring their studies to life. 

At Wallace Whittle, we’re so proud to support the next generation of engineers, whether they’re still at school, in further education, or about to begin their careers. Through tailored placements across our disciplines, we aim to inspire, guide, and equip students with the knowledge and confidence to take their next step. 

If you’re interested in joining Wallace Whittle or learning more about our work experience and apprenticeship programs, please reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our dedicated webpage.

WWe believe in looking after our staff to ensure that they can deliver the best possible, high-quality work for our clients. That means market-leading benefits, high-spec offices and the best Company Away Days you could imagine – we’ve just returned from an unforgettable trip to Paris with over 100 of our team!

We brought together staff from all 9 of our offices across the UK, giving them time together to explore Paris, meet colleagues in person and take time to relax and have fun. We don’t bring our laptops, encourage everyone to get off their phones to allow them to take a well-deserved break and fully immerse themselves in the experience.

Our Board and Management teams headed out early in the week to explore Paris and attend a Management Conference (we did do some work!) looking at efficiency and productivity improvements we can make across the business. Our wider staff team joined on the Wednesday to enjoy time in Paris, doing photo challenges and basking in the sunshine on the Seine boat-buses or the gardens of the Eiffel Tower.

We all came together on the Thursday at our fantastic venue, Golf de la Boulie near Versailles, to attend a staff briefing with our Managing Director, Allan McGill where we discussed the year’s successes, news and updates across the company. This was followed by a lively Q&A hosted by Andy Chan, Principal Sustainability Consultant and Personality Hire, who put Allan on the spot with questions such as ‘If you could pick one of our graduates or trainees to replace you tomorrow, who would it be?’ and ‘Who is your favourite child? Mechanical, Electrical, Public Health, ESG or Sustainability?’ – we’re unable to provide his responses externally…

This was followed by a BBQ in the sunshine and our traditional bonding activity of staff games. We donned our branded AWWay Day Paris t-shirts and got into teams for some competitive challenges, including gladiator-style battles, bug-eating and problem solving. Congrats to the winning team on the day – it was worth the sunburn!

In the evening, we mixed our groups up again, treating staff to a beautiful dinner in the evening sunshine. Glasses were clinked, toasts were made, WW temporary tattoos tattooed and we danced the night away in the beautiful surroundings of the golf club.

Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive, affirming the value of this time away from our desks to relax and build relationships across offices and departments. At Wallace Whittle, we are committed to being market-leading for our people, which includes investing in our employee’s well-being and fostering their professional growth. Our initiatives include opportunities for learning and continuing professional development through our Academy, access to healthcare and well-being support services, an annual allowance for branded clothing and accessories and support for hybrid working.

Check out the video of our trip below:

Want to be part of our next AWWay Days? Check out our available roles and join the team – www.wallacewhittle.com/careers

Over the past few years, the UK has witnessed exponential growth in AI, and the industry continues to expand. The UK AI market is expected to grow to £1 trillion by 2035 (International Trade Administration, 2023) and with generative AI growing in popularity, we are also witnessing an increased demand for AI Data Centres. So, how do we design for now, and the future?  

The rise of AI and its impact on data centers means increased power demands, cooling challenges, and the need for resilient infrastructure, there is also currently an international demand for AI-ready data centres, and these spaces require the computing power to train and develop Generative AI models in a safe and resilient environment.  

AI’s Growing Demand on Data Centres 

Global spending on AI infrastructure is expected to double between 2023 and 2026, highlighting the rapid adoption of AI across various industries. Recently, OpenAI secured a $40 billion funding round, valuing the company at $300 billion. More locally, Westminster unveiled an ambitious Artificial Intelligence Opportunities Action Plan, aiming to establish the nation as a global leader in AI technology. This initiative has spurred over £25 billion in private sector investments into new UK data centers since July 2024, further emphasising AI’s swift growth and increasing integration into everyday life. 

However, this expansion comes with significant engineering challenges. Unlike traditional computing, AI workloads rely on GPU-powered racks instead of CPU-based servers. These GPUs consume far more power and generate substantially more heat, demanding enhanced power distribution and advanced cooling solutions to maintain efficiency and operational stability in data centres. 

Because AI servers generate more heat, cooling is a major design challenge. Higher-density AI server racks demand modern solutions, which is why we are seeing the adoption of liquid cooling, direct-to-chip cooling, and immersion cooling. These cooling techniques are becoming essential for AI-ready data centres, ensuring operational efficiency while still reducing energy waste. With this increased cooling demand, the opportunities associated with locating data centres in cooler climates could lead to significant energy savings when coupled with elevated water temperatures. 

Beyond cooling, the nature of AI workloads also means resilient energy strategies are essential to prevent downtime. Since data centres operate 24/7 365 days a year, power reliability, redundancy, and sustainable energy solutions must be prioritised to support AI Data Centre growth.  

Adapting to AI & Cybersecurity Demands 

This shift into the ‘AI evolution’ demands continuous adaptation from not only our teams across MEP & Sustainability, but also across disciplines and in other fields, as we need to meet the growing energy needs and heightened cybersecurity requirements. The rise of AI also introduces new cybersecurity vulnerabilities, making it essential for data centres to integrate both physical and digital security measures. 

At Wallace Whittle, our experience in MEP and Sustainability across sectors allows us to apply solutions and cross-disciplinary knowledge to our data centre projects. As technology advances and energy systems grow more complex, our designs continually evolve to meet these changing demands. 

We are also well-positioned to support our clients in integrating security measures beyond digital assets. Our expertise extends to electronic security and vehicle mitigation strategies, ensuring protection that addresses both physical and digital vulnerabilities in AI-ready environments. 

The Sustainability Dilemma: Can the Power Grid Keep Up with AI Demand? 

With the rise of generative AI, there’s growing public concern over the energy usage and sustainability of AI data centres. These workloads require vast computational power, which is driving a significant surge in energy consumption across the industry. In Ireland, data centres already account for one-fifth of all electricity consumption (CSO 2023), and in the UK, the National Grid anticipates a six-fold increase in commercial data centre demand by 2034. This presents not only a climate challenge through increased emissions, but also a technical one as electricity grids become increasingly stretched. 

The pressure on grid infrastructure is already shaping how data centres are developed. A lack of available grid connections is forcing developers to consider alternative power sources. Off-grid solutions, including gas-powered systems, are making a comeback, although they raise serious questions about long-term environmental impact. In the UK, National Grid and NESO are actively working to expand grid availability. New NESO connection reforms aim to clear the backlog of projects awaiting connection, giving priority to viable developments and accelerating access to clean energy sources. 

In response to these challenges, the industry is evolving. Data centres are increasingly being designed with renewable energy in mind. Leaders such as Google are investing in geothermal energy in the US, while Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are exploring nuclear energy to meet their growing power demands. In one of the most notable examples, Microsoft is planning to reopen Three Mile Island by 2028 to power its data centre operations — reflecting the scale of energy needs now associated with AI computing. 

Closer to home, Scotland-based operators like DataVita by HFD are integrating green energy and renewable technologies into their operations. The UK’s temperate climate is also a key asset. At a national level, the UK Government is making AI infrastructure a strategic priority, with plans to develop secure, resilient and sustainable facilities both domestically and abroad (Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, 2025). 

Looking ahead, there’s growing interest in how the byproducts of data centre operations can be repurposed. For example, capturing and reusing waste heat from server operations could help reduce overall energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and even provide heating for nearby homes or businesses. As AI continues to grow, these types of circular, efficient solutions will be vital to balancing innovation with long-term sustainability. 

The Future of AI & Data Centre Design 

There will be significant and continued growth, driven by increasing demands of AI workloads, and as AI continues to evolve, data centres must adapt  

Sustainability will continue to play a huge role in future Data Centre design and as the demand for AI power grows, data centres will have to draw from renewable energy sources and find ways to repurpose waste heat, such as for local heating systems. Regulatory changes will also guide these transformations, ensuring energy efficiency and responsible operation. 

Lastly, the design and construction of AI data centres will require more collaboration and expertise across different sectors. MEP design will become even more crucial, with engineers focusing on energy management, cooling solutions, and sustainability to ensure smooth, reliable operations. 

As AI demands continue to shape the future of data centres, MEP and ESG considerations are key to ensuring efficient, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. Our expertise in MEP design allows us to address the high power and cooling needs of AI technologies while integrating advanced systems that optimise energy use whilst minimising the environmental impact. 

At Wallace Whittle, we understand the influence that the growth in AI plays on Data Centre Design. If you’re looking to strengthen the resilience of your projects or would like to discuss how our expertise can support your engineering needs, reach out to Stephen Phimister or contact us at [email protected]