Submer Group has launched Rubix Data Centres, a developer and operator of AI data centre campuses. The business starts with a powered land portfolio of more than 8GW across the Americas, EMEA and APAC.

John Eland will lead the new unit. He was previously Chief Executive Officer of STACK Infrastructure EMEA and Global Chief Strategy Officer at NTT Global Data Centres. Alison Gutman, formerly Senior Vice President of Business Management at STACK Infrastructure EMEA, joins as Senior Vice President of global business operations.

The move expands Submer’s position in AI infrastructure beyond cooling and related technology into the development and operation of physical data centre sites. Rubix is aimed at hyperscale users seeking larger facilities for AI and cloud workloads, covering site origination and community engagement through to delivery and ongoing operations.

Demand for data centre space has risen sharply as companies expand their use of AI systems that require more computing power and denser infrastructure. That has sharpened the focus on access to power, land and grid connections, which many in the sector now see as the main constraints on further expansion.

Rubix’s initial footprint spans three major regions, giving it access to markets where cloud groups and AI operators are seeking capacity. It said it will combine engineering and modular design with development execution to support faster deployment of AI infrastructure.

Eland brings more than 25 years of experience across data centres, telecommunications and infrastructure investment. His appointment gives the new business an executive with experience scaling regional and international data centre platforms at a time of rising investor interest in the sector.

Submer has been building a broader group structure around AI infrastructure. The launch of Rubix follows the introduction of its neocloud business, InferX, as it seeks a wider presence across the market, from cooling and compute to land, power and site operations.

Submer is backed by M&G Investments, Planet First Partners, Norrsken VC and Mundi Ventures. The support comes as investors continue to target data centres and related assets tied to AI expansion, despite growing concerns over electricity supply, planning timelines and the cost of delivering new sites.

A key issue for developers is the shift in technical requirements created by AI workloads. Compared with many traditional enterprise computing tasks, AI training and inference can require higher power densities, more specialised cooling and faster delivery of large-scale campuses, prompting operators to rethink standard data centre designs.

That pressure has also expanded the role of infrastructure groups that can secure land and energy while moving projects through development quickly. In several markets, the race to build capacity has become less about computing chips alone and more about who can assemble suitable sites and connect them to reliable power.

Speaking about the new business, Eland pointed to Submer’s existing market ties.

“Thanks to its long-standing reputation for excellence in sustainable cooling for ultra-high-density workloads and its neocloud business InferX, Submer has close relationships with GPU manufacturers as well as the hyperscale end users of GPU as-a-Service. This gives Rubix early line of sight into AI demand workloads,” said John Eland, Chief Executive Officer of Rubix Data Centres.

He added: “I am excited to launch Rubix and grow our global business to enable our clients to scale AI and cloud deployments with speed, efficiency, consistency and sustainability.”

Submer Chief Executive Officer Patrick Smets said the company sees AI infrastructure as requiring a different model for design and delivery.

“AI infrastructure requires a fundamentally different approach to data centre development and delivery; I am thrilled to welcome John and Alison, whose industry experience sets us up for success,” said Patrick Smets, Chief Executive Officer of Submer Group.

He added: “As Submer evolves into a fully integrated, full-stack AI infrastructure group spanning land and power, manufacturing, thermal and product architecture, AI intelligence, compute across core data centres and edge environments, and now data centre development and operations with Rubix, we’re creating a future-ready foundation built for performance, efficiency and global scale.”

One of Submer’s backers also highlighted the sector’s investment case.

“M&G Catalyst Funds are focused on supporting purpose-led technology companies that are driving the transition to a sustainable economy. As we expand our full-stack AI infrastructure capability with the Submer group of companies, our Rubix capability signifies real potential to develop and operate leading energy-efficient AI data centres and broaden the appeal for long-term investors in this asset class,” said Zachary Webb, Head of EMEA Investments at M&G Catalyst.

The subscription-based meal provider opened its Banbury distribution centre known as The Granary in May 2016.

The 237,000 sq ft facility is at Chalker Way and remains a vital production hub for the company’s UK operations.

HelloFresh said 271 people work at Banbury, but if the company closes it after a consultation, it’s expected jobs will be lost.

In a statement, the company said its distribution centre in Derby is now better equipped that Banbury.

A spokesman for HelloFresh said: “We have made the difficult decision to propose to close our Banbury site, subject to consultation.

READ MORE: Major UK airline collapses into administration with all flights grounded

“After an extensive review of our operations, our initial proposal is that consolidating to a single, more technologically advanced site is the right course of action to ensure the long-term viability and efficiency of the business.

“Our Windmill site is equipped with technology that enables greater operational complexity and delivers an expanding menu with flexible ingredient options.

“These capabilities require a single, centralised footprint to operate efficiently.

“We will now enter a period of consultation with our employees on our proposal and to consider all reasonable alternatives.

“Our focus will be on supporting affected employees, including exploring redeployment opportunities.

“The proposed closure of the facility is not a reflection of the local teams’ performance, and we are grateful for all their hard work and commitment to date.”

During the pandemic, HelloFresh employed a further 400 people on top of its workforce to help meet the burgeoning demand.

But last year, the German company was forced to make 900 UK job cuts with the closure of the delivery site in Nuneaton.

According to the Guardian, demand for meal kits tumbled as revenue fell by more than 11 per cent during 2025 ahead of the closure.

It was reported in March that the share price has plummeted by 93 per cent since the 2021 boom during Covid lockdowns.

Total orders slumped 12 per cent last year compared with 2024 as the number of meals it delivered tumbled by more than 100 million.

The spokesman added: “The HelloFresh team has told colleagues today to allow them time to reflect on the proposal and their options.

“The business now enters into a period of collective consultation where HelloFresh will explore every avenue to minimise or avoid job losses, including identifying potential opportunities for redeployment within HelloFresh. 

“It is early in the process, and HelloFresh will follow all of the guidelines around a consultation process, supporting and engaging with our employees throughout.

“The site remains operational until October 31, but we are sharing information with our employees as early as possible in the interest of transparency.”

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

SSP UK & Ireland has joined the Managing General Agents’ Association and launched Pure Product Studio, an AI-based product configuration platform. The moves mark an early step in the software provider’s revised focus on the MGA market.

The new platform is aimed at managing general agents and insurers seeking to bring insurance products to market more quickly. It uses agentic AI to create production-ready product configurations from a plain-English description, including screens, business rules and lists.

SSP said product launch cycles that typically take three to six months can now be completed in days. The platform is intended for underwriting, product and claims teams, rather than relying solely on specialist technology staff.

According to SSP, the system also includes product lifecycle management and automated test coverage. It is designed for MGAs and insurers operating across more than one jurisdiction and multiple product lines, including businesses with relatively small IT teams.

The twin announcement follows a restructure at SSP UK & Ireland that has placed greater emphasis on the MGA segment. That part of the insurance market has drawn growing attention from technology suppliers as MGAs look for faster ways to launch and amend products.

Martyn Mathews, managing director of SSP UK & I, linked the association membership and product launch to that strategy.

“Our membership of the MGAA and the launch of Pure Product Studio are early signals of our intention to build a strong portfolio of MGA clients. Our restructure has given us fresh capability to support this market and to give MGAs the technology they need to innovate faster and compete more effectively,” Mathews said.

MGA focus

Membership of the MGAA gives SSP a formal position within the trade body representing the UK’s managing general agent sector. The group has become a focal point for insurers, service providers and specialist underwriting businesses as the MGA model has expanded across commercial and personal lines.

For software suppliers, the market presents demand for systems that can handle product changes, distribution management and claims administration without long development cycles. SSP said its platform is intended to reduce the time, cost and specialist resource usually needed to launch and maintain insurance products.

Bal Badhan, director of rating and pricing at SSP UK & Ireland, said the company sees that need as central to its approach.

“Joining the MGAA reflects our continued commitment to supporting the MGA community with technology that helps businesses innovate and respond faster to market opportunities. With solutions such as Pure Product Studio, we are enabling insurers and MGAs to reduce the time, cost and specialist resource traditionally required to launch and manage insurance products, while maintaining the governance and control the market demands,” Badhan said.

Wider group

SSP operates as a software supplier to the insurance sector and says it works with more than 700 insurance clients across six continents and more than 40 classes of business. In the UK and Ireland, its systems are used by brokers and managing general agents to write and administer policies in personal and commercial lines, as well as manage renewals and claims.

The business sits within Vencora, an operating group of Constellation Software. Constellation is listed in Toronto and has a market capitalisation of USD $6 billion, according to SSP’s background information.

The MGAA said SSP’s addition reflects the growing role of technology providers in the sector. As MGA businesses expand into new niches and territories, pressure to adjust products and pricing quickly has increased.

Michael Keating, Chief Executive Officer of the MGAA, said: “We are delighted to welcome SSP UK & Ireland to the MGAA. Technology and innovation continue to play an increasingly important role in the MGA sector, and SSP’s focus on AI-powered solutions and product agility aligns strongly with the evolving needs of our members and the wider market.”