Microsoft and Canva are both expanding their presence in the UK with new office spaces. Microsoft is planning to open more data centers in the UK as part of its ongoing battle with other tech giants for market share in the cloud industry. The company recently posted a job ad for a London-based land acquisition manager to find and purchase sites for cloud servers. This expansion follows Microsoft's previous investments in North Acton and North Yorkshire. Last year, Google announced a $1 billion data center in Waltham Cross, prompting Microsoft to respond by opening a data center in North Yorkshire. The expansion of data centers in the UK is expected to continue as companies like Microsoft seek to build out their cloud infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Canva has acquired three office spaces in London to strengthen its presence in Europe. The collaborative design platform has expanded its London office space by purchasing three properties around Hoxton Square, including its current European HQ at 33 Hoxton Square. Canva's UK staff base has grown by over 100% in the last 12 months. The company aims to create a collaborative campus to bring together regional teams and user communities. Canva is currently used by over 90% of the Fortune 500.
Both Microsoft and Canva's expansions in the UK demonstrate their commitment to the region and their efforts to grow their operations and serve their customers better. [31b7ef04] [6aaf4eba]