Introducing Talent Talks, the podcast where we dive into all things talent in the real estate, construction, and infrastructure world. From the boardroom to the building site, we uncover the stories, insights, and people shaping our industry today. We shine a spotlight on data centres, one of real estate’s fastest-growing and most in-demand sectors.

In this episode, Annabel speaks to Jack Winfield, a UK-trained quantity surveyor who has made the move from the UK to the US to work on a major data centre project in Columbus, Ohio. Jack shares what that transition really looks like, the differences between the UK and US markets, and how taking that leap can accelerate your career.

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Annabel Drew

On today’s episode of Capstone Talent Talks, we are joined by Jack Winfield, a UK-trained quantity surveyor who has made the move from the UK to the US to work on a major data centre project in Columbus, Ohio. We’ll be getting into what that transition really looks like, the differences between the UK and the US markets, and how taking that leap can accelerate your career. If you’ve ever considered relocating or want a real view of life in the US data centre sector, this one’s for you. Jack, thank you so much for joining us and welcome to Capstone Talent Talks.

Jack Winfield

Thank you so much for having me.

Annabel Drew

Not at all. I want to start by asking you to talk us through your journey. Tell us a bit more about you, what you were doing before, and how you’ve ended up working on a data centre project in Columbus.

Jack Winfield

So, I graduated from university at Sheffield Hallam. I took a placement year at Siemens Mobility Limited where I worked in rail infrastructure, updating the signals on the side of the railway. I then went back to university full-time to finish my degree. After I came out of university, I rejoined Siemens in a different office, but I really enjoyed my experience working in UK infrastructure and, actually, the knowledge that the graduate scheme gave me, rather than going straight to an assistant QS role.

At that point, I was able to work under some really fantastic QSs that trained me in processes, things to look out for, and gave me a really grounded and well-rounded experience. I stayed there for a full two years. And then after those two years, that’s when I made the move to America. So, it was not long out of university that I decided I was going to make this move. And since I’ve come over here, as you’ve said, I’m working with a huge client on massive data centres out in Columbus. It’s just really been a baptism by fire, getting stuck in at the deep end from day one. Really fantastic.

Annabel Drew

And what were your first impressions when you arrived over in the States?

Jack Winfield

I have always been a massive fan of American culture. I’ve been watching American football from the age of 14 and playing it from 16. It’s always been a dream of mine to come over here. And I kind of thought, as I approached 30, that dream was out of the pipeline. So for me, it wasn’t a shock. It was a ‘finally here’ type deal. The city I’ve ended up in, or should I even say the state, actually, Ohio, is not anywhere I would have thought of moving to myself. But I remember the first week being here and, it sounds very deep, but I was like, ‘this is where I’m supposed to be.’ I feel so happy here. It’s such an amazing city. I heard someone describe it perfectly the other day: it’s like a city suburb. It’s busy enough that you’ve got the hustle and bustle of the city, but it also has that suburban feel as well. So yeah, incredibly happy.

Annabel Drew

Oh, I’m really glad to hear it. It sounds like it’s got it all, which is really nice. Did you have any hesitations before relocating?

Jack Winfield

Would you say I didn’t? I think you can probably remember our conversations with me going, ‘Is it ready yet? Am I ready to go yet?’ In all seriousness, of course, there’s always that question of ‘is it time to leave? Am I ready to leave?’ Because it is such a long way, it’s not like you’re going two hours down the road. That being said, the position I came into and the role I was in, the support network that I had waiting for me when I arrived, was brilliant. I had a mate, and I’ve got an amazing senior commercial manager that I work with, who set me up straight away, get your bank sorted, get your car sorted, rather than letting those things drag on. So no, I think once you get over that initial hesitation of ‘am I ready for this’ and decide to go, it will probably be the best decision you ever make.

Annabel Drew

Yeah, absolutely. Fantastic. And so obviously it does sound really, really exciting, the whole relocation piece, but it must also be a little bit daunting. I know we’ve kind of touched on it already, but what has that experience been like from that initial decision to landing in the US?

Jack Winfield

I feel very fortunate. I’ve spoken to a lot of people who would agree that it was very daunting and that there’s a lot to sort out. I can’t express enough how much I really landed on my feet from day one. Funny side story: I remember getting an Uber on the very first day to the car rental place and I was talking to the driver, telling her I’d landed the day before. Without my asking, the Uber driver waited outside and said, ‘I didn’t want to leave in case they wouldn’t give you a car without a US licence.’ And I was like, she’s trying to scam me! But that is genuinely just every experience I’ve had over here. I was also very fortunate to go to a football game in my first week. I just bought a ticket and ended up meeting a group of friends that to this day I still go out and eat chicken wings with once a week. We still get together at weekends. The team I work with here, even the Americans, not just the English guys, we go out and socialise together. So yes, whilst of course you’re relocating, I’ve almost been so distracted by the social side and making friends that it all just blurred into one, really. And I was like, ‘OK, I’m settling in. Amazing.’

Annabel Drew

Did that surprise you a little bit? How easy it was, and I know this is obviously different for everyone, but did that surprise you?

Jack Winfield

I think it did, yeah. In all honesty, one of the things I was hesitant about when moving was what my social circle was going to be like. I wasn’t so much worried about work; I knew I could do the job. I was thinking, I’m making this amazing move, but am I going to be alone 24/7 in my apartment? So, I was shocked at how quickly and how easily it was to make friends over here. I think it’s just about putting yourself in social situations, not shying away from those after-work drinks on a Friday, or anything like that. And as a whole, everybody I’ve met in this country has been incredibly supportive. Yeah, I’m having a great time.

Annabel Drew

Good, I’m so pleased to hear that. Can you give us a little insight into how long your process took, from you and me having our first chat to you actually starting your role?

Jack Winfield

Yeah, absolutely. So I remember you calling me in January 2025. I remember taking this call from a recruiter who was trying to lure me away, and for whatever reason, it just wasn’t the right time for me. And I remember to this day you said, ‘Stay in touch, because plans might change.’ And I remember speaking with friends and family and saying, ‘I think I’m going to do this.’ I called you within seven days. I think you’d set up the first interview process for me. I believe we had a verbal agreement with my employer around seven days later.

Then there were possibly four to five weeks where we had to wait for that embassy appointment, but in that time, we were going through things with the lawyers who were making everything very straightforward, getting all the paperwork ready. I was looking at what new trainers I was going to buy when I got to America. And then from that first phone call with you in mid-June, I think I moved over in October. I’d say call it around eight weeks, start to finish. And I’ll even recall I was trying to push that timeline up a little bit.

So, it can go either way. I’ve spoken to some guys out here where it’s taken a little bit longer. My thing was, I just wanted to get to the USA. I wasn’t specific about needing to be in New York or San Francisco; I just wanted to get over there. What I would say to candidates is: it’s OK to wait if you have a preference on location, but you might have to extend that timeline a little bit beyond those six weeks. For somebody who just wants to get over there, six weeks can absolutely work.

Annabel Drew

Definitely. And I think you’re so right. A lot of things have to line up for certain things to be feasible. We were lucky that you were flexible enough and that the right things were available. And yeah, it all worked out. It was brilliant, and I was so pleased for you. Advice for anyone who’s unsure about relocating, what would you say?

Jack Winfield

Just do it. No, look, I understand everybody’s position is different. I know some people own property, are in relationships, have children, I get that. I can’t speak to the mentality of those people or the decisions they have to make. I speak solely to the people who don’t have those commitments. And jokes aside, just do it. I think the way the market is moving over here, from the limited portion I’ve seen of it, it’s booming. I would just say the sooner you get over here, the better. I joke that I’ve missed the ground level; there are people out here before me, but I’d say I’m getting in at level one or two. I would say, honestly, just go for it if you feel comfortable.

And that’s only a personal thing you can feel ready for. If you wouldn’t take on the responsibility in the UK, don’t feel like you could do it in America just for the sake of relocating. Wait, gain that experience, learn from the people above you who can give you that grounding, and make you feel comfortable. You know, you’re never going to wake up one day and feel completely ready. You’re just going to have to take that jump.

Annabel Drew

OK, thanks, Jack. And so tell us a little bit more about the project you’re working on, the role, and how it compares, if at all, to what you were doing in the UK.

Jack Winfield

So as I said, I worked in rail infrastructure in the UK, and I’m now working on data centres, so more on the construction side of things. It’s also worth mentioning that in the UK, I was working for the main contractor, whereas the role I’m in now in America is for the client. There are a lot of similarities. There are a lot of processes that people listening to this will be doing in the UK, change logs, forecasting, payment applications, all of that is exactly the same over here.

The differences come in things such as the contracts used. I was primarily working with NEC when I was in England. I know some people will be listening to this on JCT. They’re almost non-existent over here. The speed at which these buildings have to go up to start turning a profit means they use a different type of contract, a GMP, which is a Guaranteed Maximum Price. I guess it’s most relatable to a target cost NEC contract. But that being said, the processes remain exactly the same; it’s just minor tweaks.

In terms of my role specifically, I’m on a campus that is building three data centres. When I came over, one was essentially built and kitted out from the outside; we were just doing the fit-out. The second was just about complete, and the third was pretty much rubble. So, it’s been interesting because I’ve seen all three different stages. In terms of my day-to-day, I support the senior commercial manager with change reviews, review pay applications with the contractor, get involved in forecasting, and handle budgeting. Working for the client is slightly different from working for the main contractor; we need to know how many people we can bring onto the job and generally keep track of costs.

Annabel Drew

Yeah, brilliant. And what would you say has been the biggest professional learning curve for you?

Jack Winfield

The biggest professional learning curve for me, I think, is something that very easily could be done, but for me, having always worked for the main contractor, it was different to be working for the client and talking ‘backwards’ to the main contractor, and navigating that relationship. As the general contractor, you’re trying to get as much money into the project as possible; working for the client, you’re trying to keep that money in your pocket, but at the same time maintaining that relationship and ensuring you get a product you’re happy with. And I mean, some of these contracts are close to a billion dollars, so it’s large portions of money.

Annabel Drew

That brings me quite nicely on to my next question: the difference in scale compared to the UK. It sounds like it’s huge, but you tell me.

Jack Winfield

Yeah. So, without going into too much specific detail, the contracts I was working on in the UK, there was one I was assisting on that was circa £140 million, and then the one I was the sole commercial lead on was around £6 million, which at the time felt like the biggest project in the world. I’d get a £50,000 change order, and I’m scrutinising that closely.

Over here, each building, and that’s not the campus, just each individual building, is circa a billion dollars. So a $50,000 change order doesn’t look too out of place, to be fair. But yeah, the money that goes into these projects is enormous. And that’s reflected in the speed at which the contractors get them built. There is such a real focus on getting them up as quickly as possible, because the sooner they start turning a profit for the client, the better.

Annabel Drew

Do you feel like that has an impact on the pressure on you at work, or does it not feel too different from back home?

Jack Winfield

‘Collaboration’ was a word that was thrown around a lot when I worked back home, and we were collaborative to an extent; there would be some negotiations, but it was still a me-versus-you situation. I do believe that over here, the relationship with the general contractor is vital. There will be works they have to proceed with that you potentially may not have had time to assess prior to them going out and doing it, and they have to trust you, and you have to trust them. So, I would say relationship and trust are absolutely paramount over here.

Annabel Drew

So important. And do you feel like it’s really helped to accelerate your development and progression? Has that had an impact?

Jack Winfield

Absolutely. I’d caveat that by saying I’ve still got a long way to go. There’s so much more to learn. I look at my senior commercial manager and some of the challenges and solutions he comes up with, and I don’t even know where he gets them from. So again, going back to what I was saying about the UK, I’m taking that time to learn, understand, and ask him. But absolutely, I think you get a sense of achievement when you’re managing such large sums of money.

I know some people will tell you it doesn’t matter about the value; it can be a $100,000 garage or a billion-dollar data centre, but personally, for me, it does feel better managing a large sum of money and saying, ‘Yeah, I helped on that.’

Annabel Drew

Absolutely. That must be an amazing feeling. And to work in such a growth sector must be pretty cool too. So let’s talk a little bit about life in Columbus. Outside of work, what is life in Columbus actually like? I know you’ve said people have been friendly, first impressions, cultural differences, tell me a little more about all of that.

Jack Winfield

It was really funny, actually. My first night, I’d been travelling for about 22 hours when you factor in the time difference and everything, and I was exhausted. I got to this Airbnb, and everywhere looks different in the dark, and I just thought, ‘Oh, what have I done? Why am I here?’ I remember I ordered an Uber Eats, and it never came, and then I was like, right, go to bed. And the very first night, the fire alarm went off, everybody was out in the street, and I was like, ‘Right, that’s it. Tomorrow morning I’m going home.’

But after that, it’s just honestly been plain sailing. The city itself, and I haven’t lived anywhere else over here, but I believe Columbus is a great starting point for anybody who wants to move to the US. I’m sure there are lots of people who dream of moving to New York, but for me, New York is a baptism by fire, the hustle and bustle. Columbus has been such a great place to ease into the cultural differences and meet new friends. There’s a large downtown area filled with bars, restaurants, and shops. But if I drive for 30 minutes, I’m in a place called Hocking Hills with waterfalls, hikes, and trail rides. Chicago is six hours’ drive. Tennessee and Nashville are about six hours the other way. And New York is only an hour on a plane. I just can’t speak highly enough of this city. If it were up to me, I’d build every data centre here and stay here. There are other amazing places in America, of course, but Columbus is brilliant.

Annabel Drew

That’s really nice to hear about that travel opportunity. You’re not the first candidate to tell me that, that you’ve been able to see more of the States. Anywhere else you’ve been to so far?

Jack Winfield

Yeah, they always make a joke and say I’m never at work! I try to use my PTO as best I can. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been to Tennessee, New York, Illinois, and Indiana; honestly, I’ve been all over. I’ve actually got two road trips coming up. In a couple of weeks, I’m flying into Vegas and then doing an Arizona–Utah route. And then for the Fourth of July weekend, I’m heading to Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. My plan is just to cover as much ground as possible. I would advise people looking to move over here: as important as work is, we work to live, we don’t live to work. If you want to explore the East Coast, look at somewhere like Columbus or Wisconsin. If you want to explore the West Coast side of things, look at San Francisco or Nevada. Whilst you can get across the country, it is quite costly and time-consuming, so it’s worth thinking about where you base yourself.

Annabel Drew

Yeah, like I said, it’s so amazing that you are that close to so much. Good for you for making the most of that opportunity, that’s why you’re there, right? And what would you say to somebody who’s not sure about moving somewhere they may not have heard of before?

Jack Winfield

I would say, with the number of vacancies across the industry at the moment, it goes back to what I said earlier. If a location comes up in America and it’s not the location you wanted, just take it. Take the job, get the industry experience, get the knowledge in data centres, and make the connections. Once you’ve seen it out for six to twelve months, however long you want, there will be another opportunity to move internally. I believe that could happen within three to four weeks. We have a weekly roundup call with my employer, and there are often four more vacancies for different locations that come up. They ask, ‘Is everybody happy? Does anyone want to go somewhere else?’ I would just say, do it. But I appreciate it’s easier to say that having made the jump and seen that everything goes OK. I’ve seen the other side of that cliff, if that makes sense.

Annabel Drew

Of course. But I think that insight is so valuable to people. When you may not know as much about the States, of course, it could feel daunting to live somewhere you don’t know, but that’s really useful insight. Getting people out there is the biggest challenge, and then when you’re there, using that resource while you’re out there and moving internally, it’s nice to know that’s actually not too difficult. Absolutely fantastic. And so, in terms of how this move has impacted your career, what would you say to somebody considering doing something similar? Is there anything you wish you’d known beforehand?

Jack Winfield

That’s a tricky question. Yes, there are things I wish I’d known beforehand, and I would say them, and it doesn’t negate everything I’ve said previously about moving over. You know, let’s face it, you are relocating. There are challenges. Some of the basic things for getting set up were a little bit more challenging than perhaps I anticipated. Things such as, and it may sound silly, setting up a bank account, getting a Social Security number, and getting a driver’s licence. They are all completely achievable and completely doable. But it isn’t a case of just going to an office and getting it straight away.

For example, in the state of Ohio, my driver’s licence was valid for 30 days. I then, and forgive me, I didn’t know this until moving out here, had to take driving lessons. It was minimal, but I had to take driving lessons, then had to do 50 hours with a named driver, and then had to complete an online course. Just things like that. It wouldn’t have affected my decision to move, but I guess I would say: research the state you’re moving into, because it isn’t one rule that governs all.

Similarly with Social Security, I thought I was being proactive. I made an appointment at an office, drove about an hour outside of Columbus, and they were unable to help me. I then went to another office, and they said they couldn’t help me because I had an appointment at a different one. These aren’t huge problems, but the overarching thing is: research the state you’re moving to and just anticipate hiccups. You’re going to get through it all, but just anticipate that in those first two weeks, there are going to be some bumps. Not always plain sailing.

Annabel Drew

And I think what you said about research is so important. That’s something I recommend to everyone I work with. I remember you told me about Columbus, and I said, ‘How do you feel about Columbus?’ and you said you’d never heard of it.

Jack Winfield

I Googled the skyline 15 minutes before the interview and said, ‘Yeah, that’ll do!’

Annabel Drew

It worked out! But maybe a little more research than that, lesson learned! And that brings me on really nicely to my next question: who would you say relocation suits best? Is there a specific personality type?

Jack Winfield

I think you’ve got to be confident, and I’ll use that for two things. Confident in your abilities: you might not know everything at that point. I still don’t. I didn’t back then. But I had the confidence to know that I could get myself there if I dedicated myself enough to learning. It was the same in the UK, I knew I had the ability to learn, and I knew there were going to be learning curves coming into this job.

But also, on the social side of things, you’ve got to be confident and outgoing enough to make friends. Not just walking up to people on the street, but things like joining sports clubs, going out for those after-work drinks. I think to fully maximise your experience, those are the two things you need to be able to do. There is a caveat: they do pay extremely well for our positions in America. Maybe that’s not what you’re after. Maybe you just want to come over here, bank money, and eventually go back home. And that’s fine. But I would say confidence is the key.

Annabel Drew

Yeah, absolutely. I think you’ve got to be the type of person who is happy and comfortable to put yourself out there a little bit, because you’re leaving your comfort zone. You need to be comfortable with that prospect.

Biggest highlight so far for you?

Jack Winfield

Professional or personal?

Annabelle Drew

Anything.

Jack Winfield

Professional highlight: I had to do a huge reconciliation with my senior cost manager on some of the costs on the project, and we managed to find a very, very large cost saving. That was a good day. That was a very good day. Personal highlight: I’ve always wanted to see the New York Knicks. When I found out they were playing in Cleveland, two hours up the road, I managed to get tickets and go. I think I’ve done four NBA games and a couple of college games. And my truck, of course. Got to mention the truck.

Annabel Drew

Amazing, those are definitely highlights. And as I said, it sounds like you’re having the best time, Jack. So, thank you so much for talking us through all of that. It actually brings us to the end of the podcast. Thank you so much again, it really has been such a pleasure to hear about your relocation experience. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed hearing these insights, and I think it’s going to be really, really useful for other people to hear as well. If anyone listening has any more questions about relocations, or if this has spurred you on to make the move yourself, please feel free to reach out. But for now, see you next time.

That was an insightful conversation with Jack Winfield, a UK-trained quantity surveyor who has made the move from the UK to the US to work on a major data centre project in Columbus, Ohio. Jack’s experience navigating the transition from main contractor to client-side, adapting to new contract types, and building a social life from scratch in a new country provided invaluable perspectives on what it truly means to relocate for your career. He spoke candidly about the challenges of getting set up in a new state, the importance of building strong relationships with contractors, and the incredible scale of US data centre projects. Above all, his message was one of encouragement: with the right mindset, flexibility on location, and confidence in your abilities, relocating to the US construction and data centre market could be one of the best career decisions you ever make. We are extremely grateful to Jack Winfield for joining Annabel on Capstone Talent Talks.