Mountpark Appoints Hugues Desbarrieres as Country Director to Accelerate French Logistics Growth

Mountpark has appointed Hugues Desbarrieres as Country Director France, the logistics developer announced Sept. 9, 2026, adding a senior hire aimed at expanding its presence in one of the continent's most competitive logistics markets.

Desbarrieres will be based at Mountpark's Paris office, working closely with the management team to grow the developer's French business and cultivate a development pipeline across the country.

A Seasoned French Logistics Operator

Desbarrieres joins Mountpark from Scannell Properties France, where he served as Deputy Managing Director for five years. During his tenure at Scannell, he built and scaled the company's French platform, overseeing the development and acquisition of a 390,000 sq m logistics portfolio.

Before Scannell, Desbarrieres held senior roles spanning logistics development, construction and investment in France. He served as Development Director at industrial and logistics real estate investor Dentressangle and held a senior development role at Lidl, where he oversaw the expansion of the retailer's logistics and office portfolio across France.

Mountpark's Existing French Platform

Mountpark has operated in France for eight years, with its French platform anchored by two major developments in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Mountpark Chartres, located in Illiers-Combray and Blandainville, comprises three buildings totaling approximately 271,245 sq m, with two existing buildings already occupied by major international companies. The park's final plot offers design-and-build opportunities ranging from 24,000 to 113,835 sq m, with delivery available within 12 to 15 months.

Mountpark Orléans, situated in Meung-sur-Loire, consists of two large-scale warehouse units totaling approximately 180,000 sq m, including an extension of around 25,000 sq m completed in early 2025. Together, the two French developments represent more than 450,000 sq m of logistics product.

Mountpark is backed by U.S. asset manager Affinius Capital, and the French expansion is part of a broader pan-European capital deployment strategy.

Leadership Commentary

Craig Hughes, CEO of Mountpark, said France represents a key growth market for the firm. "Hugues has the leadership, market insight and commercial judgement to strengthen our presence in the region and cultivate a high-quality pipeline," Hughes said. "Under his leadership we look forward to continuing to grow our reputation as a leading logistics developer, building on the success of French projects that have attracted a diversity of global occupiers in e-commerce, healthcare, and third-party logistics."

Desbarrieres said the existing French developments provide a strong foundation. "Mountpark Orléans and Chartres have established a strong platform for the business in France, demonstrating the quality and long-term approach the brand delivers," he said. "France is a sophisticated and competitive logistics market with clear potential to build on what Mountpark has already established here. We will continue to focus on developing trusted relationships with occupiers, local authorities and partners to further strengthen Mountpark's presence in the market."

French Logistics Market Context

The appointment comes as France's logistics sector navigates a period of recalibration. Vacancy across the French logistics market has risen to approximately 6%, up from historically tight levels, while take-up has moderated to around 820,000 sq m over recent periods. Despite the rise in available stock, prime rents have remained firm, and demand for Grade-A big-box space continues from occupiers in e-commerce, healthcare and third-party logistics — the same sectors Mountpark has targeted at its existing French parks.

The market environment — balanced enough to make purely speculative development more selective, yet tight enough to support build-to-suit and pre-let strategies — places a premium on local leadership capable of originating occupier-led deals. With development-ready land remaining at Mountpark Chartres, the developer is positioned to bring forward additional supply as occupier demand warrants.