The world’s largest asset manager is set to use President Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom next week as the backdrop for a significant announcement, reported Sky News.
BlackRock will unveil a £500m plan to invest in UK data centres, a move that highlights the rapid growth of digital infrastructure spending worldwide.
According to the report, BlackRock’s commitment will be structured as a joint venture with Digital Gravity Partners, a digital infrastructure investment manager.
The initiative will target the acquisition and modernisation of existing data centres, enhancing their capacity to meet rising demand.
Major US–UK investment announcements expected
The announcement is expected to form part of a wider package of investment pledges set to be showcased by the UK government during President Trump’s visit.
Officials intend to present these projects as evidence of the continued strength of the economic relationship between Britain and the United States.
The timing of the announcement coincides with a politically charged environment.
President Trump’s arrival comes amid the dismissal of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador and broader concerns about the direction of UK economic growth.
Despite these challenges, ministers are keen to emphasise that Britain remains an attractive destination for global capital.
The Office for Investment, recently given an expanded role in Whitehall, has played a coordinating role in pulling together the investment commitments. These will span multiple sectors, including energy, financial services, nuclear power, and technology.
The government hopes to publish aggregate figures early next week, which insiders suggest will rival the £63bn of commitments secured at last October’s International Investment Summit.
BlackRock expands UK footprint
BlackRock, which manages more than $12.5 trillion in assets, already has a substantial UK presence.
The company will open a new office in Edinburgh, employing around 1,300 people next week, the report added.
Corporate sources indicate that the data centre investment reflects the UK government’s efforts over the past year to strengthen ties with the firm.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, his business adviser Varun Chandra, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have all been engaged in deepening the relationship with BlackRock.
Larry Fink, BlackRock’s chairman and chief executive, will be among the senior business leaders accompanying President Trump on the state visit.
The delegation will also include Jensen Huang, chief executive of Nvidia, and Sam Altman, head of OpenAI.
CNBC reported on Friday that the two companies will announce a multibillion-pound UK investment as part of the $500bn Stargate data centre project.
The surge in capital commitments reflects one of the most important trends in the global economy: the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence-related data centre infrastructure.
This growth has underscored rising concerns about the associated demands on power resources.
Political and economic backdrop
Alongside high-profile corporate announcements, the visit will feature a state banquet at Windsor Castle hosted by King Charles III.
Yet, it will also take place against a backdrop of economic and political tension.
Uncertainty continues around President Trump’s tariff policies, particularly regarding their impact on British manufacturing sectors such as steel.
At the same time, negotiations remain strained between the UK government and major pharmaceutical companies, as the US administration pressures drugmakers to reduce prescription medicine prices.
For the UK, which is grappling with stagnant economic data, the influx of international investment will be presented as a vote of confidence.
Government officials are expected to highlight BlackRock’s £500m data centre commitment as a key example of Britain’s resilience as a global investment hub.
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