The arrival of the former Group Deputy CEO of Bouygues Immobilier as head of the French subsidiary reflects Equilis Europe’s desire to accelerate its development in France – and in particular in the residential market and mixed operations, and to make it one of the pillars of its European growth. The new CEO’s background, both in France and internationally, gives him the expertise to give Equilis France the push required to project it on the French market.
“We are delighted to welcome Laurent as head of Equilis France. He will be a major asset in making France a strategic country for the group. Beyond professional concerns, it is the man and his values that inspired me” said Carl Mestdagh, Executive Chairman of Equilis Europe
“His real estate background and his outlook will be key strengths in supporting the growth phase the company has entered” added Olivier Beguin, CEO of Equilis Europe.
Laurent Tirot’s mission is to accelerate the growth of Equilis France, set up in 2016, historically anchored in the PACA region. Apart from the Southeast, where it is already well established, the new CEO is targeting Ile-de-France, the Bordeaux region / the Arcachon basin and the Lyon region / Pays de Gex. These new ambitions are driven by the group’s expertise in all areas of the real estate development business (retail, residential and office), and its specific know-how in terms of brownfield renovation. This know-how is what enables Equilis France to carry one of the most ambitious projects of the Sophia Antipolis technology park, La Canopée, a vast mixed-use project of some 25,000 m2 which will breath new life into the former Terrasses de Sophia site.
“I have known Carl Mestdagh and the Equilis Group for many years, we have full confidence in each other. This is why I agreed to join the group and take up its values, its expertise in the various areas of the real estate business, its openness to Europe and this wonderful development challenge in France” says Laurent Tirot.
“It’s an exciting adventure in more ways than one. First, because of the freedom of action and development granted to each subsidiary, an unparalleled autonomy that fosters innovation and excellence. Second, because of the group’s expertise, its ability to innovate and adapt to rapidly changing real estate markets. This experience allows us to work on projects incorporating a mix of use, which cater for the new forms of lifestyle, housing, work and consumption and which also take into account the challenges of sustainable development. It is precisely because society’s needs are changing and our profession is changing that I have embarked on this new adventure, and I’m glad to be out there listening to communities, their expectations, and to be able to exercise all our agility, flexibility and spirit of innovation”, he concludes.
He will build on the structure already put in place by Jean-Jacques Ballester at Sophia Antipolis, an office created in Paris and two locations in Bordeaux and Lyon. Jean-Jacques Ballester takes over at the Southeast Regional Department in order to continue to develop this area. A recruitment plan is planned, initially in order to fill out the Ile-de-France team. Laurent Tirot is aiming for a three-fold increase in activity within four years.
