END USER INSIGHT

Michael Umfreville , Head of Data Centres at BNP Paribas Real Estate

With more pressure placed upon the data centre industry to appeal to new clients and establish longlasting relationships , knowing where to invest is key . Here , Michael Umfreville discusses his new role as Head of Data Centres at BNP Paribas Real Estate , what this means for the business and how he will lead his team to success across the UK with the company ’ s core values in mind .

NP Paribas Real Estate

( BNPPRE ) has appointed Michael Umfreville to lead a new team focused on the leasing and land acquisitions of data centres across the UK .

Umfreville , who has enjoyed a successful career at BNPPRE in the City office leasing team , will expand his remit to focus on data centres within the firm ’ s alternatives division . Alongside coordination of the firm ’ s expertise in the sector , he will head up a niche team to support with aspects such as land and building transactions and lease advisory work across an existing and new client bases , taking advantage of the industry ’ s increasing focus on data centres as asset class .

BNPPRE ’ s decision to create a dedicated team comes as specialist private institutions have begun to enter the data centre investment market , including REITs , institutional investors , investment managers , sovereign wealth funds and infrastructure funds , most commonly through joint venture partnerships or entity deals .

Michael Umfreville , Head of Data Centres at BNP Paribas Real Estate , said : “ With data centre transactions heating up across the core locations , BNPPRE will provide support and advice to our clients , whether they are well established or entering the market for the first time . We are already involved in a number of projects across the core markets within the UK and hope to announce these in due course .” www . intelligentdatacentres . com

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