Arcus Acquires London Data Centre from Verne

Arcus Infrastructure Partners, through its Arcus European Infrastructure Fund 4 (AEIF4), has finalized an agreement to acquire Volta Data Centres, a key UK colocation facility previously operated by Verne. This strategic move bolsters Arcus's digital infrastructure portfolio, leveraging its established expertise in the sector, notably through its existing investment in Portus Data Centres.

The acquired 6MW facility, situated strategically near London's financial district, is a carrier-neutral colocation and interconnection hub. It boasts a robust client base across financial services, telecommunications, and enterprise sectors, underpinned by stable, contracted revenues and a low customer churn rate. The site's significant connectivity infrastructure, featuring over 40 on-site carriers and more than 1,200 cross-connects, makes it a vital node in the region's digital ecosystem.

This acquisition aligns with Arcus's long-term investment thesis for the UK market, identified after an extensive 18-month review. The UK presents a compelling combination of escalating demand for digital infrastructure, coupled with supply constraints, creating a fertile ground for sustained investment opportunities. Charlie Scott, Senior Investment Director at Arcus, highlighted the strategic fit, emphasizing Volta's critical digital infrastructure, its prime location in a leading European colocation market, and its potential for growth and operational enhancements.

For Verne, this divestment represents a strategic pivot, allowing the company to concentrate its resources and investment capital on developing low-carbon, high-density data centre infrastructure across Northern Europe. This focus is particularly relevant for supporting demanding workloads such as artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, areas where Verne aims to expand its footprint. Dominic Ward, CEO of Verne, stated that the agreement is the optimal next step for the London data centre, its clients, and its personnel, expressing confidence in Arcus's ability to guide the facility through its next growth phase.

The transaction underscores the ongoing consolidation and strategic repositioning within the European data centre market. As demand for digital services intensifies, driven by cloud adoption, AI, and IoT, investors are increasingly seeking high-quality, well-located assets. Arcus's proactive approach, building on its prior experience with Portus Data Centres, demonstrates a clear strategy to capitalize on these market dynamics. The deal is anticipated to conclude in July 2026, pending the satisfaction of all requisite conditions.

This acquisition is a significant development for Arcus Infrastructure Partners, which manages approximately €12.4 billion in assets as of March 31, 2026, and focuses on value-add infrastructure investments across digital, energy, transport, and logistics sectors. The transaction was supported by a team of advisors including Alantra (M&A), Ashurst (Legal), WSP (Technical), Altman Solon (Commercial), Deloitte (Financial, Tax), and Aon (Insurance). Verne received advisory services from Guggenheim Securities (M&A), BDO LPP (Financial and Tax due diligence, Vendor Assist), and A&O Shearman Sterling LLP (Legal).