Mick Cairns

As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Black & White Engineering, Mick Cairns has been operating internationally since 1997, delivering complex engineering projects across more than 40 countries. Over a career spanning four decades in engineering, he has built and scaled multiple businesses from the ground up, most notably Black & White, which has grown from a one-person start-up into a global consultancy of over 1,000 professionals across 18 cities.

Mick’s leadership has been central to shaping Black & White into a trusted partner for mission-critical infrastructure, particularly in the data centre and digital infrastructure sectors. Under his direction, the business has experienced significant global growth, driven by a clear focus on technical excellence, simplicity in design, and a commitment to delivering high-performance outcomes for clients.

While Mick brings extensive board-level experience and strategic insight, he remains a hands-on leader, actively engaged in project delivery and client relationships. He believes that strong partnerships are built on understanding client needs in detail and consistently delivering on promises—on time, on budget, and to the highest standard. This practical, grounded approach reflects both his personal values and the wider culture of Black & White.

Mick is passionate about building and empowering high-performing teams. He has fostered a collaborative, “One Global Team” culture that brings together diverse expertise to solve complex engineering challenges with clarity and precision. His leadership style is defined by accountability, integrity and a relentless focus on quality, the principles that underpin both the company’s success and its reputation in the industry.

At the core of Mick’s career is a belief that engineering should create lasting, positive impact. Today, he continues to lead Black & White with a clear purpose: to engineer a sustainable digital world while delivering practical, innovative solutions that stand the test of time.