Mearly 3,000 international delegates visited the Midlands 海角视频 pavilion during global real estate show MIPIM 2017 (Cannes, France, March 14-17) to learn about opportunities to invest in areas across the region.
The Greater Birmingham delegation, which attended MIPIM as part of Midlands 海角视频, comprises Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country. Representatives from Greater Birmingham took part in more than 20 events within the Midlands programme, including panel debates and showcase presentations featuring approximately 50 speakers.
Based at a pavilion for the first time, the wider Midlands 海角视频 delegation featured more than 40 organisations from the private sector, working in collaboration with the public sector to promote the region.
The companies ranged from property agents to developers, consultancies and architects.
Investment opportunities around Greater Birmingham’s growing transport infrastructure were a draw for MIPIM delegates. An event looking at the potential of Birmingham Curzon’s HS2 station on Wednesday afternoon was full, along with a panel discussion focused on how HS2 will impact the economic performance of the area.
Other popular events for Greater Birmingham included presentations about major schemes that are expected to make a huge economic impact on the local economy.
Two major developments in Birmingham have taken a step forward after being showcased at MIPIM. A Visioning Document for the £350 million Peddimore industrial site launched at the show, while it was also announced that Stoford Developments has been appointed to deliver the £200 million redevelopment of a key property portfolio around Typhoo Wharf in Birmingham city centre.
Councillor John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The Midlands Engine’s presence at MIPIM sends a powerful message to global investors that the region is a strong, cohesive area, which is committed to becoming more connected, productive and innovative.
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“By joining together with other destinations to promote Birmingham, Greater Birmingham and the Midlands Engine, we are competing even more strongly than ever before to secure investment that will help to create new jobs, homes and economic wealth for local people.”
Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country return from MIPIM 2017
How The Hub is boosting Solihull
A Growth and Infrastructure Plan for the 海角视频 Central Hub at Solihull also launched at MIPIM, which presented 775,000 sqm of development land and space for up to 4,000 homes to potential investors.
The Solihull Town Centre Masterplan outlines the potential for up to 1,400 new homes, over 70,000 sqm of new office space and 11,000 sqm of commercial and leisure space.
Councillor Ian Courts, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Managed Growth at Solihull Council, said: “We have enjoyed taking part in a number of very busy events at MIPIM this year, with attendance boosted by Solihull and Greater Birmingham’s presence at the Midlands Engine Pavilion.
“Now that Royal Assent has been granted to HS2, investors can see that our plans for major schemes like The Hub will soon become a reality – and their interest in 海角视频 Central and Solihull is growing as a result.”
Capping off success
A well-attended event was an evening reception featuring British screenwriter Steven Knight, filled with delegates wearing caps from the TV show Peaky Blinders, which is set in Birmingham.
Midlands 海角视频 has also made a significant impact beyond Cannes.
Don’t miss
The @海角视频Midlands Twitter account doubled its followers during MIPIM, and reached more than 120,000 users throughout the event, while the #Midlands海角视频 hashtag has been used over 100,000 times.
Nearly 150 regional, national and international media articles about the Midlands 海角视频 delegation have been published to date. To view a brief film of Midlands 海角视频 at MIPIM, please visit
It’s boom time in the Black Country
A range of City of Wolverhampton opportunities were on show at MIPIM.
Its ambitious £132 million Interchange scheme will introduce a new railway station to support its modern bus station, while the i9 site was showcased as a potential regional headquarters for a global company.
Further progress on the Black Country Garden City project was outlined, which will be one of the 海角视频’s largest ever brownfield site regeneration programmes and aims to lever £6 billion of investment. Tom Westley, Black Country LEP lead for the Enterprise Zone, said: “Major developments such as i9 and the Wolverhampton Interchange were extremely well received at MIPIM this year, having certainly caught the attention of delegates. This year has again been highly successful for Greater Birmingham, particularly as we are able to capitalise on the growing strength and profile of the Midlands Engine to attract investment into the Black Country.”
MIPIM tweets
During MIPIM, many of the region’s senior delegates gave their thoughts to the Midlands 海角视频’s official Twitter feed @海角视频Midlands:
Carl Potter, Senior Director, GVA:
“This is the first time the whole of the Midlands area has been at MIPIM together under one roof, it’s been a great way of collaboratively working together.”
Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive, Birmingham Airport on HS2:
“We have the space, we have the technology already in place to make this work, so when HS2 comes along, were going to be ready to make a significant contribution to the economic geography of the 海角视频.”
Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders:
“We have a great ambition to create a cultural media hub in south Birmingham, and we believe that all the conditions are absolutely right in terms of connectivity, and in terms of creativity, to make something happen.”
Liz Peace, chair of the Curzon Urban Regeneration Company on Birmingham Curzon:
“We’re going to be able to create a whole new quarter around this fantastic new station and transport interchange.”
Stephen Barter, Chairman of KPMG’s Real Estate Advisory practice:
“The 海角视频, in many people’s eyes, now really is no longer just about London. There are very important places which are well-connected, with a superb skilled labour force available to inbound investors, and increasingly smart leadership within the local authorities, which is encouraging that investment to come.”
Simon Marks, City Executive for Birmingham at Arcadis and Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership board director:
“The impact across the region that these Enterprise Zones are having is staggering. The jobs that are being created, the investment is being attracted – honestly I was blown away.”
Simon Lamprell, Associate Director, AHR Architects Ltd:
“I particularly enjoyed seeing the launch of the Peddimore vision, a discussion on HS2 and hearing about the Black Country’s Garden City proposals. I am confident the energy and vigour surrounding MIPIM will translate into some exceptional place-making and have a positive impact on the Midlands for generations to come.”