Ionic Digital, a leader in digital infrastructure for high-performance computing (HPC) and AI, today announced the strategic expansion of its executive team with the appointments of Antonio Piraino as Chief Strategy Officer and Mark Lambourne as Chief Development Officer.
With more than 60 years of combined global expertise in data center operations and acquisitions, these appointments signal a major push by the Austin-based company to accelerate its pipeline of power-ready AI data center assets.
Ionic Digital: Leading the Charge in the AI Economy
The move comes as the digital infrastructure industry enters a transformative era of innovation and growth. Ionic Digital is positioning itself to handle the massive energy demands of the modern AI economy by bringing in seasoned veterans capable of managing global scale.
“These appointments reinforce Ionic’s solid leadership, ensuring the Company is well-positioned to meet the escalating demands of the AI economy. Antonio and Mark bring a wealth of experience, from global strategy to large-scale operational development.”
— Andy Stewart, CEO
Shaping the Strategy for Scalable Infrastructure
As the new Chief Strategy Officer, Antonio Piraino will drive the company’s focus on large-scale, power-aligned data center development. Piraino is a highly respected industry advisor with a deep background in global infrastructure. Notable past roles include:
- ScienceLogic: Formerly CTO, where he drove global infrastructure observability platforms.
- Uptime Institute: Served as Global Head of Digital Advisory Services.
- Strategic Advising: Previously advised private equity firms like Orix Capital Partners and HG Capital on technology investment strategy.
Delivering End-to-End Infrastructure Growth with Ionic Digital
Mark Lambourne joins as Chief Development Officer, overseeing the “boots on the ground” execution of Ionic’s portfolio, including real estate, design, engineering, site development, and construction. Lambourne’s career has helped shape the global data center landscape. Notable past roles include:
- Digital Realty Trust: Former European Managing Director, where he led its European expansion and corporate operations.
- Global Switch: Previously served as Chief Operating Officer.
- Strategic Partnerships: Has consulted for industry leaders such as NTT and Bechtel.
Why Power and Speed Define the Future
According to Lambourne, “power and speed have become critical to advancing the global digital economy.” Ionic Digital is focusing its efforts on building a pipeline of power-ready assets — facilities that can be brought online quickly to support the high-density power requirements of generative AI and large-scale model training.
By leveraging data-driven insights and a world-class leadership team, Ionic Digital is building an investable foundation for the next wave of AI innovation.
To read the full announcement, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the new executive appointments at Ionic Digital?
Ionic Digital has appointed Antonio Piraino as Chief Strategy Officer and Mark Lambourne as Chief Development Officer. Both are industry veterans with over 60 years of combined experience in data center operations and global strategy.
What is Ionic Digital’s core focus?
Ionic Digital focuses on developing “power-ready” data center assets to meet the demands of the AI economy.
What experience does Antonio Piraino bring to Ionic Digital?
As the new CSO of Ionic Digital, Antonio Piraino brings experience as the former CTO of ScienceLogic and Global Head of Digital Advisory Services at the Uptime Institute, among other roles. He specializes in global infrastructure and investment strategy.
Why is “power-ready” infrastructure important for Ionic Digital?
“Power-ready” assets allow Ionic Digital to bring facilities online, providing the immediate high-density power required by modern AI applications, thereby reducing time-to-market for clients in the digital economy.
What is Mark Lambourne’s role as Chief Development Officer?
As Chief Development Officer, Mark Lambourne is responsible for the physical expansion of Ionic Digital. He oversees the entire lifecycle of the company’s data center portfolio, including real estate acquisition, design, engineering, and construction. His primary goal is to ensure Ionic Digital delivers high-density, power-ready facilities at the speed required by the rapidly evolving AI and HPC markets.
