Biggest team ever prepares to take on MIPIM

WITH an impressive line-up of 20 public and private sector partners, the biggest and strongest team ever is gearing up for MIPIM 2015, the international property event which takes place in Cannes.

Six new members from the Nottinghamshire property and construction sector have announced they will be boosting the Team Nottingham line-up when it showcases the city at MIPIM.

The new members are Mortar Developments, RH Developments, Turner & Townsend, G F Tomlinson, Curtins and Scape.

All together, there are 20 powerful partner organisations from across the Nottinghamshire property sector which will be leading Team Nottingham at MIPIM in Cannes in March, which attracts thousands of investors and developers from across the globe.

The line-up of 15 supporting organisations from the private sector was finalised this week. The team for 2015 are: Nottingham City Council, Invest in Nottingham, Nottingham Means Business, Nottingham Regeneration Limited, Cartwright Communications, Couch Perry Wilkes, CPMG Architects, Gleeds, Morgan Tucker, FHP, RizkMcCay, Geldards, Innes England, Miller Birch, Scape, Curtins, Willmott Dixon, RH Developments, Mortar Developments, Turner & Townsend and G F Tomlinson.

Ian Curryer, Nottingham City Council’s chief executive, said: “MIPIM is a major opportunity for Nottingham and the city is now at a pivotal point with development opportunities, ambition, and a suite of financial and business support available.

“With millions of pounds of investment have been ploughed into our transport infrastructure system, Nottingham is at a crucial point at reaching huge potential in terms of attracting more investment to the city.

"MIPIM allows us to showcase Nottingham on an international stage. We are determined to make the most of these opportunities in a targeted way, and encourage investment in the city. MIPIM gives us a unique chance to speak to developers and investors from across the UK and the globe about opportunities in Nottingham.”

Nottingham has succeeded in establishing a recognisable presence at MIPIM over the years. MIPIM is an opportunity to sell the city – and stand shoulder to shoulder with not just UK and European cities, but those from across the world, he said.

Nottingham has seen significant benefits from attendance at MIPIM. In 2014, the city attracted more than 20 strong leads from investors and developers – many of which are ongoing or have resulted in tangible partnerships and contracts.

As well as raising the city’s profile so it is considered as a potential investment location, MIPIM has been the location for progressing deals on Specsavers locating a new office in Nottingham which created hundreds of jobs and the development of the E.On Nottingham site.

Nottingham has had a smaller presence at MIPIM in recent years – but it is very timely in 2015 to increase its profile again given the progress with delivering major infrastructure projects, the clarity of vision for business growth in the city, and positive signs from the development market, added Ian.

 “We have a strong offer compared to many other cities – with unparalleled investment underway in the city including the expansion of the tram network, redevelopment of both shopping centres, a higher than average number of jobs and apprenticeships created and a well-defined Growth Plan to support the city’s future business strengths. We also have significant demand for high-end office space and sites to deliver that capacity,” he said.

The success of MIPIM is the way it puts investors and developers in touch with local authorities – and the benefits are evident, said Robert Monk of city developers Mortar Developments.

“We proud to be part of the Team Nottingham line up and the fact that we have the largest line-up to date is testament to the passion and drive of the public and private sector in the city,” said Robert.

Mark Deakin of project management firm Turner & Townsend said: “Collaboration is key between the public and private sector. It is vital that we work together for the good of the city.”

Nick Gregory of architects CPMG, said: “MIPIM is a fantastic opportunity for Nottingham to showcase the major opportunities available in the city - we need a strong presence in Cannes when the likes of Leicester, Derby, Manchester and Sheffield are there.”

Matthew Tucker of Morgan Tucker said: “Nottingham has so much to shout about. We have the new tram lines, and the massive changes to the A453. The city is on a roll and with this massive investment in Nottingham’s transport infrastructure and the new Nottingham Railway Station, the city is forging ahead with regeneration plans while others are standing still.

“It is vital therefore that we go to MIPIM, the largest event of its kind which attracts thousands of property people, and talk about what Nottingham has to offer developers, investors and multi-national firms.”

Les Needham of construction firm G F Tomlinson said: “MIPIM will give us an opportunity to show that both the private and public sector have every intention of making the most of the opportunities all this investment presents.

“With a strong public-private sector commitment, Nottingham will be stronger than ever at MIPIM 2015.”

MIPIM takes place from March 10 to 13, centred around a large scale exhibition in the Palais de Festival in Cannes in the south of France which attracts tens of thousands of visitors.

Director of Innes England Tim Garratt, who helps to lead Team Nottingham, said: “This is the strongest and most exciting Team Nottingham we have had since the private sector began representing the city at MIPIM four years ago. It’s great news that we have a number of private firms across Nottingham and the county who are keen to boost the city’s prominence at MIPIM.

“Over the past few years, Nottingham has succeeded in establishing a recognisable presence there – and it is vital that we keep this momentum going.”

Nottinghamshire is once again partnering Derby and Derbyshire this year with the presence of the Local Enterprise Partnership. There will also be a ‘three cities’ celebration of Derby, Leicester and Nottingham which will put the spotlight on the burgeoning success of the East Midlands.

Ian Curryer added: “The reality is that Nottingham has to compete for future inward investment. We are in competition with locations such as Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield – and it is vital that we attend MIPIM to showcase exactly what is possible in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, particularly to attract further interest in our enterprise zone opportunities.”

“We have a fantastic team of public and private sector professionals representing Nottingham and we already have events and meetings in the MIPIM diary to promote the raft of opportunities and we will be launching our new incentive packages to attract further interest.”