- Founded in 2014, DataVita is one of Scotland’s leading data centre operators, providing secure co-location, cloud, and connectivity services to public and private sector organisations;
- Strategically located between Glasgow and Edinburgh, the company operates two state-of-the-art data centres renowned for their exceptional quality, sustainability, and security;
- The £25m loan supports the expansion of DataVita’s flagship data centre near Glasgow enabling the development of new AI-ready capacity;
- Demand for AI infrastructure continues to accelerate across the UK, driving investment in new data centre capacity to support the rapid growth of cloud computing and AI workloads[1].
Glasgow, UK, Monday 24th August 2026; OakNorth, the digital bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, has provided a £25m loan to support DataVita’s flagship data centre near Glasgow. Part of the wider HFD Group and founded in 2014, DataVita has established itself as one of Scotland’s leading providers of data centre, cloud, and connectivity services, supporting a diverse customer base spanning the public and private sectors, including local authorities, NHS bodies, universities and enterprise customers. The business operates two state-of-the-art data centres across Scotland’s Central Belt and is expanding its flagship facility to meet growing demand for AI and high-performance computing infrastructure.The £25m loan from OakNorth has enabled the development of new AI-ready capacity at DataVita’s flagship data centre to support CoreWeave, the US AI cloud infrastructure provider. The funding supported the initial phase of the expansion enabling construction work to progress while HFD Group completed its long-term financing package for the wider development. Once complete, the expanded facility will significantly increase DataVita’s AI-ready capacity, further strengthening Scotland’s digital infrastructure and helping meet the growing demand for cloud computing and AI workloads across the UK.
William Hill, Chief Executive Officer of HFD Group, commented on the transaction: “The expansion of our flagship data centre marks a significant milestone for DataVita and reinforces Scotland’s position as an emerging destination for AI and cloud infrastructure. Demand for secure, resilient, high-performance data centre capacity continues to grow, and this investment will enable us to support that demand while creating infrastructure capable of underpinning the next generation of digital innovation. Fraser and the OakNorth team understood both the strategic importance of the project and the pace at which we needed to move. Their support enabled us to continue progressing the development while our long-term financing was being finalised, and we look forward to building on our relationship as we continue to grow.”
Fraser McPhail, Senior Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, added: “The UK’s data centre market is entering an exciting new phase of growth, with investment increasingly expanding beyond traditional hubs as operators seek the power, land and renewable energy needed to support next-generation AI infrastructure. Scotland is particularly well placed to benefit from this shift, combining strong digital connectivity with abundant renewable energy and an increasingly attractive investment environment. DataVita has built an outstanding business serving both public and private sector customers and has ambitious plans to further strengthen Scotland’s digital infrastructure. We’re delighted to have supported HFD Group during this important phase of its expansion, providing the flexible funding needed to maintain momentum while the long-term financing was completed.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
[1] CBRE – Data Centres: UK Real Estate Market Outlook 2026
About OakNorth Bank plc
Launched in September 2015, OakNorth is the bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. It was founded to address the persistent funding gap facing lower mid-market businesses – a segment that accounts for a significant share of economic output yet remains underserved by traditional banks.
To date, OakNorth has provided over $22bn in lending to thousands of entrepreneur-led businesses across the UK and US, supporting the creation of more than 70,000 jobs and generating more than £40bn in economic value. Throughout multiple economic cycles, the bank has maintained a highly disciplined approach to credit, delivering performance metrics that place it among the top 1% of commercial banks globally.
It is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Visit www.oaknorth.co.uk for more information.
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