Leading Edge Data Centres names new Chief Executive

Leading Edge Data Centres has appointed Joe Craparotta as Chief Executive Officer as the regional data centre operator expands across Australia.

Craparotta joins after a long career at Schneider Electric, where he led the Cloud & Service Provider business across the Pacific. He brings more than 35 years of experience in the technology and data centre sectors.

He will lead the company's next phase of expansion, with responsibility for its regional data centre network and broader strategic priorities. Leading Edge Data Centres develops and operates a network of Tier III-designed regional facilities in Australia, focusing on services outside major metropolitan centres.

The change allows Founder and Executive Vice Chairman Chris Thorpe to focus on long-term strategy, investor engagement and business growth. He will continue to work with Craparotta and the rest of the leadership team.

The appointment comes as demand for data infrastructure extends beyond capital cities, prompting the company to strengthen its management team. Regional operators have sought to position themselves around cloud access, connectivity and lower-latency services for businesses, government bodies and local communities.

Industry background

Before joining Leading Edge Data Centres, Craparotta oversaw strategy, commercial growth and executive relationships at Schneider Electric across cloud, artificial intelligence and data centre markets in the Pacific region. That experience places him in a part of the industry that has attracted heavy investment as organisations increase spending on computing infrastructure and data processing.

Leading Edge Data Centres has been building a network to serve regional Australia, where operators argue demand for digital infrastructure remains unmet outside metropolitan hubs. Its facilities offer carrier-neutral connectivity and direct cloud access.

Backed by digital infrastructure investors, the business has been expanding its national presence as demand rises for cloud services, AI workloads and edge computing. Companies in the sector increasingly frame regional buildouts as a way to narrow the gap in digital services between urban and regional areas.

Chairman Drew Kelton said the appointment marks a turning point as the operator grows its network.

"Joe's appointment marks an exciting new chapter for LEDC," said Drew Kelton, Chairman of Leading Edge Data Centres. "As demand for regional digital infrastructure continues to accelerate, Joe brings exactly the leadership experience needed to scale the business while remaining true to the vision that has made LEDC unique. His deep industry expertise and strong relationships across the cloud, AI and data centre sectors make him exceptionally well placed to lead the business through its next phase of growth."

Craparotta said the company had established a strong base for further development in regional markets.

"I'm honoured to lead LEDC at such a pivotal moment for the business and for regional Australia," said Joe Craparotta, Chief Executive Officer of Leading Edge Data Centres. "This company has built a genuinely differentiated network and a strong foundation. I look forward to working with the team, our customers and our partners to help shape the next generation of regional digital infrastructure across Australia."

Regional focus

The company's strategy centres on locations beyond the largest population centres, where access to large-scale digital infrastructure has often lagged. Operators targeting these markets argue that more local capacity can better support public sector agencies, private companies and communities that rely on faster, more direct access to data services.

That positioning has become more prominent as AI-related demand feeds into broader infrastructure planning. Data centre groups across Australia have been weighing where to add capacity while dealing with practical constraints including land, power, connectivity and proximity to end users.

For Leading Edge Data Centres, appointing a chief executive with experience across cloud and data centre customers suggests a closer alignment between its expansion plans and the needs of major technology users. Craparotta's background at Schneider Electric also links him to one of the industry's established suppliers and service providers.

Thorpe said the incoming Chief Executive Officer had already been involved with the business before taking the top role.

"LEDC has reached an exciting point in its journey," said Chris Thorpe, Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Leading Edge Data Centres. "Joe has been a trusted adviser to the business and brings outstanding industry experience. I look forward to continuing to work alongside him as we build on the strong foundation we've created and deliver the AI digital infrastructure regional Australia needs."