JLL appoints new Director of Data Centres

Author: Simon Rowley

Yassine Rifai has joined JLL in a newly created role as Director of Data Centres, France, Belgium and Luxembourg, within the firm’s EMEA Project & Development Services business. The appointment is set to accelerate JLL’s development in the sector and strengthen its positioning in key European markets by reinforcing the firm’s senior project management capabilities.

With nearly 20 years of experience within real estate, engineering, and data centres, Yassine will provide clients with strategic support, implementing and delivering key projects within his specific geographies. Yassine will assist clients in navigating French administrative procedures and local urban planning regulations, across the entire project lifecycle. Based in Paris, Yassine reports to Maxime Michaux, Head of Engineering, France.

“We are excited to welcome Yassine to the business,” says Jonathan Kinsey, EMEA Lead and Global Chair, Data Centre Solutions, JLL. “His appointment brings essential expertise to our team and will help us to grow our presence in the key French-speaking markets as the sector continues its upwards trajectory.”

Analysis by JLL highlights the extent of the surge in data centre demand across EMEA, estimating that 742MW of hyperscale self-build is currently under construction in the region, with a further 2,661MW worth of land banked. Based on this current pace of under construction and planned developments, the EMEA market will likely expand at a baseline 25% CAGR through 2027, compared with projected global growth of 15%.

A graduate of the prestigious Skema Business School in France, Rifai has held engineering and project management roles in Morocco, Middle East and France, where he specialised in data centres. His last role before joining JLL was with Turner & Townsend in Paris, where he served as Data Centre Project Director.

“France continues to be a core European market, with some specific challenges related to administrative issues and land availability,” Jonathan explains. “Yassine’s unique skillset will help us create a genuine local centre of expertise to support our clients as the sector continues to evolve. His in-depth knowledge of the local construction market and experience delivering major projects in the region will be a major asset to our team.”

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