Business leaders from across the Central South who promoted the region at the world’s leading and most influential property event, MIPIM, in Cannes, returned full of enthusiasm following the high level connections made with developers and investors – and now they plan to return in 2023.
Local authority partners from Portsmouth City Council, BCP Council and Southampton City Council reported that meetings with investors had already taken place back in their respective cities and regions – and more are planned.
It is the first time the Central South has been represented at the event which showcases development opportunities on a global stage.
At a glance, MIPIM in numbers:
● 20,000 attendees from 80 countries
● 360 speakers
● 2,400 exhibitors
Investors represented a quarter of MIPIM attendees, among them major real estate funds and investors from around the world.
Very much seen as the first step on a journey to promote the region for future investment and development, at the end of June a visit is planned to the House of Commons to meet local MPs and reveal new stats for the Central South.
Chair of the Business South Regenerate South group and the award-winning planning and design company Terence O’ Rourke, Tim Hancock explained: “MIPIM international property conference is the most important property event in the world and we were proud to be flying the flag for our region.
“It was an opportunity to build relationships and sow the seeds for future investment and development in our region. Having met key people in Cannes, we now have the opportunity to invite them to visit us and see the opportunities presented by the Central South.”
The MIPIM initiative was championed by Business South and endorsed by business leaders, local authorities and organisations such as the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.
Business South Group CEO, Leigh-Sara Timberlake said: “We have had a ringing endorsement from partners and they want to attend MIPIM in 2023, with the understanding it should be the foundation of a strategy to jointly promote the Central South on a global stage. We are looking for further sources of funding to ensure we can continue to deliver powerful messaging for the Central South and build on the positive work to date.”
Director of Boyle and Summers, Richard Summers, said MIPIM was a great opportunity to meet decision makers who are usually impossible to reach.
“We met a diverse range of people and had interesting discussions that we are following up now we are back,” he said.
Leigh-Sara Timberlake, added:” This is just the start and we need to keep the momentum going. It is encouraging to hear that investors and developers we met at MIPIM are now actively engaging in follow-up meetings in the Central South.
“We are already planning ahead and hearing positive news from partners regarding future activity.”
The consortium promoted a wealth of opportunities for investors, developers and businesses in the Central South region.
Portsmouth, Southampton, Hampshire, Dorset and South West Surrey are included in the Central South region and the team visiting MIPIM promoted key benefits including:
● Portsmouth’s multi billion pound regeneration programme
● Southampton- 3 major development schemes covering 22 acres of the city centre
● BCP – multi-million pound regeneration plans
● The region’s first class connectivity
● Solent Freeport
● World leading universities
● Major development and investment opportunities
● A world class lifestyle offer including two national parks and miles of golden beaches
The private sector-led group travelling to MIPIM included representatives from Blake Morgan, Savills, Fawley Waterside, Noviun, Barker Mill Estates, Boyle and Summers, Morgan Sindall, LSH, Terence O’Rourke, BECG, Future Places, Willmott Dixon, Barton Willmore, Southern Policy Centre, Packaged Living, Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Council (BCP) and Solent Freeport with support from Southampton Airport, Winchester City Council and WBR.
