And there we have it, another amazing MIPIM has finished!
This morning, Sir Richard Leese represented Greater Manchester in the UK Government Pavilion for a Northern Powerhouse Breakfast which touched on the importance of increased devolution of budgets and decision-making powers outside London and improved transport connectivity. The key role played by Manchester Airport as an international gateway for the entire north was a recurring theme, as was the importance of adequate Government investment in the infrastructure that will support faster rail connections between London and the North, including the expansion of Piccadilly railway station.
Thursday morning kicked off in the Manchester Pavilion with 'City Making in Action: Salford's Bold Vision', with Jim Taylor, Chief Executive of Salford City Council; Phil Mayall, Regional Director North West of Muse; Iain Jenkinson, Senior Director of CBRE; Jon Corner, Chief Digital Officer of Salford City Council; and moderated by Jessica Middleton-Pugh, Editor of Place North West.
The event provided a launch for the development prospectus for the Salford Crescent and University District Masterplan and also an opportunity to talk about the broader vision for Salford.
Opening the session, Jim Taylor talked about Salford’s “40/40/40” vision to create 40,000 new jobs and 40,000 new homes by 2040, and explained how the Salford Crescent and University District Masterplan was part of that plan. He outlined the five distinct districts within the Masterplan - Adelphi, the Crescent, Peel, and innovation district and health village – and explained how the area already benefits from many heritage buildings and its own park. The importance of the collaboration between Salford Council and the University of Salford could not be underestimated, he said.
Iain Jenkinson, Senior Director of CBRE, said it is anticipated that a development partner will be appointed and working alongside Salford Council and the University of Salford by the fourth quarter of 2019.
Emphasising the immediate opportunities on the site, he said: “It’s ready to go, we have plots that we can realise. We just need to get that private sector partner.”
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In 'New Generation Thought Leaders: Empowering our Future Leaders', Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council was joined by Emma Degg, Chief Executive of Northwest Business Leadership Team; Anita Singh, Project Manager of Turner & Townsend; Jessica Bowles, Director of Strategy at Bruntwood; Katie Wray, Assistant Director of Deloitte; Alex Russell, Managing Director of Property Alliance Group; and Jane Healey Brown, Associate Director of Arup discussed what needs to be put into place to empower future leaders and harness the talents of rising stars.
Sir Richard Leese outlined the key attributes present in leaders, from an ambition to get things done, to long-term deliverable visions. Emma Degg spoke passionately about the need for inclusive growth, as well as an observation that the leadership of Manchester has been typifed by its strong commitment to cross-sector working. Finally, Anita Singh drew on her own experience in terms of taking a University placement in Hong Kong, as well as 'procuring' strong mentors, and how these relations have supported her not only professionalybut also emotionally and with practical advice. Singh also touched on how social impact is now key for attracting talent: "Social impact underlies young generations' expectations of a job. Leaders are held more accountable than ever before. The world has never been as transparent than it is now".
The speakers were then joined by Russell, Wray and Bowles, with Russell stating that "the clear vision, authenticity, drive, and the Manchester grit and determination to get things done are key to leadership".
Wray outlined the vital need for the leadership to reflect the diverse people that it represents, before Bowles finished by stating that: "Manchester has a great opportunity for people to become leaders. It is big enough to have many exciting things and opportunities, but small enough to find your way around it".
Stephen Hogg, Lead Regional Residential Director at JLL moderated a panel consisting of Adam Challis, Head of EMEA Residential Research at JLL; Deborah McLaughlin, Managing Director at GL Hearn; Christian Gilham, Managing Director at Leach Rhodes Walker Architects and Nathan Cornish, Group Board Director of Urban Splash. 'Manchester Build to Rent: A Review & Predictions'. The panel spoke about how the UK has serious space to grow in the PRS/build-to-rent sector, and how Manchester has positioned itself at the forefront of this market, giving the confidence to invsestors that Manchester is a great place to do business. The conversation also touched on the needs of different demographics within the PRS sector, for example building homes in city centres for those who have retired, as well as interests in flexible module housing and co-living spaces.
The final stand session 'The Factory: Where the Art of The Future Will be Made' featured Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council; John McGrath, Artistic Director & Chief Executive of Manchester International Festival; Carol Patterson, Architect at OMA; and Tom Bloxham MBE, Chairman of Urban Splash & Manchester International Festival. The session outlined the incredible impact of the upcoming development of The Factory, creating a place which represents the people and the attitude and ambitions of Manchester.
Carol Patterson gave an overview of the the architectural design of the building, as well as OMA's exciting at creating a place where flexibility is key, a place where they can design a space "open for anything the creators can imagine". Sir Richard Leese reiterated the importance of culture in creating places people want to live, naming it a "fundamental fabric of the city", and underlining the Council's commitment to continue to invest in this.
John McGrath touched on the importance of the development for the people of Manchester, and how they will offer training programmes for young people on all elements of the arts, as well as the legacy the MIF and The Factory will bring in exporting art and culture from Manchester to the rest of the world, before describing The Factory as a place that "invites us to think differently about what a cultural building is. It's not there to be a pretty icon, it is a factory. It's a working space where things are going to happen".
We closed out a fantastic MIPIM with 'Manchester & London: Closing Reception'. Held in the Manchester Pavilion, Joanne Roney, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Liz Peace, Chair of Old Oak & Park Royal Development Corporation, and Damian Wild, Editor of EG closed a brilliant week on the Manchester Pavilion by reflecting on the week and looking ahead to next year.
And that's another fantastic MIPIM finished. A huge thanks goes to our wonderful delegation, partners and speakers, without whom the success that we enjoy at MIPIM would not be possible.