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MIPIM 2025: Much to gain amidst the rain – and no dampening of ideas or innovation – (a Q&A with our team)

Two weeks on since MIPIM 2025 wrapped, our delegates reflect on the key moments that have remained front of mind. From emerging trends and unexpected surprises to the topics that captured the most momentum, our expert team offer their perspectives.

Whilst the rain certainly made its presence felt in Cannes – it was a flood of ideas, innovation and genuine positivity that took centre stage across our networks. Our team answers three questions to share their most pertinent updates from their time at this year’s world-leading real estate event. A meeting with the Mayor of London? A surprise Turley delegate? Read on to find out more.

1 - What key theme or topic stood out or gained the most momentum for you? 

Despite the terrible weather – it felt much more optimistic this year for London looking forward. The various economic and regulatory constraints are all well-known and still very much in play, but conversations were largely focused on how these factors can be unlocked looking forward (collaboration being key).

The forthcoming London Plan review, now likely set for the end of April, will play a fundamental role in shaping and driving growth. It was clear that the review could cover everything and may result in a much-streamlined London Plan – a change that planners will no doubt appreciate. As such, it will be key that the industry engages in this review to help set the foundations for the future.

There was a real sense that getting the country building and capitalising on its growth potential is a shared endeavour that the public and private sectors are equally invested in. 2025 feels like the year where real momentum will be built in transforming ambition into tangible delivery. This will be achieved through collaboration, removing barriers and bringing innovation and creativity into the process to make things happen. 

In the North, there is a strong foundation on which to deliver these aspirations, which we are beginning to see bear fruit, and a clear path to turn these ambitions into the outcomes needed to drive a more prosperous, sustainable and equitable region.

Partnerships and collaboration are often-cited themes, but this year the role of innovation in partnerships was particularly talked about as a way to overcome some of the wider challenges facing our markets. Greater attention was also being given to how different sectors such as sport, health, and education can work together to deliver growth.

Whilst there was a wider recognition of the growing ESG fatigue and backlash particularly given recent political moves, there was also a clear irrefutable recognition that climate risk is essentially financial risk and the transition to a low carbon and green economy is as much a business opportunity as a moral imperative and an existential threat.  

2 - What surprised you most about MIPIM 2025? 

The presence of the Mayor of London positively set the tone for the week (and a welcome surprise was a meeting with Sadiq Khan himself). His clear messaging on driving investment and growth in the Capital was evident, with an emphasis on public and private collaboration being fundamental to delivering this growth. The messaging on alignment between the Government, Mayor and LPAs for the first time in London was clear and this now needs to be harnessed.

The big change from conversations last year at MIPIM, was that planning and viability (whilst both still problematic) in London have been jumped by the Building Safety Act as the biggest constraint to delivery, with all the delays and uncertainty being a huge issue.

Three things spring to mind. 

First, a quiet but growing market confidence about what 2025 holds. This stands in contrast to some of the uncertainty we’ve seen over the last few years and signals a burgeoning sense of optimism in the sector. 

Second, the office market remains resilient and strong, but it is evolving and looks somewhat different from what we think traditionally of as conventional office space. Changing work patterns are being reflected in much more adaptable environments. 
Lastly, the urban residential market is evolving rapidly. There is growing confidence in trialling and pushing new models, such as co-living, which reflect a broader shift in how many people are looking to embrace new ways to live, work and engage in our cities today.

Well – one surprise this year (as those who followed our pre-MIPIM activities will know) was my attendance. With my colleague Angela Raynor unfortunately falling ill the weekend before, I stepped in to represent. I’m happy to report that she is now much better!

At MIPIM itself, it was great to see a strong presence from the Midlands, with plenty of optimism about live projects linked to the ‘innovation line’ (HS2). The importance of connectivity, infrastructure investment, and diversity of uses remain key to the success of our cities. These are also central to the reinforcement of developer confidence.

The biggest surprise was the overwhelmingly positive mood, despite the rain and the political and economic turmoil. There were very open discussions on how like-minded businesses and DEI groups could double down and support each other and where the business opportunities lay, which is a MIPIM hallmark. ESG was definitely not on the cutting floor despite some initial fears, but the focus would be firmly fixed on solutions, how solutions could be scaled and how reporting perhaps needed to be pared back in favour of action. 

3 - If you had to sum up your MIPIM 2025 experience in around five words, what would they be?

Optimistic, collaborative, insightful, growth-driven, focused.

A united Greater Manchester.

Positive, promising and progressive. (Not to mention pouring it down). 

Diversity, decarbonisation and business drive = success

For more from our MIPIM team, listen to our latest podcast episode. Contact our team directly to continue the conversation.

27 March 2025