MIPIM 2025: DRIVING INVESTMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS

MIPIM, Europe’s flagship property investment event, lived up to expectations, despite the miserable weather. The critical topic of housing shortage took centre stage during multiple sessions at the Cannes gathering. Martin Pocock and I gave our insights highlighting the deceleration in infrastructure development and its impact on exacerbating housing challenges, particularly in the Liverpool City Region and across the North West.

Instead of viewing the housing crisis through abstract statistics, MIPIM presented the perfect platform to confront the issue directly. While I remain sceptical about the feasibility of building 1.5 million homes within five years, I believe a more realistic target would be closer to 300,000 homes in a single year—likely towards the end of Labour’s final year in government—resulting in a substantial gap.

Nevertheless, MIPIM provided a prime opportunity for us to showcase the Liverpool City Region and position the city as a hub for new projects such as housing developments, schools, and hospitals. These were discussed at great length at a number of outstanding events, including our very own breakfast, where we highlighted the construction sector’s unique position in meeting people’s fundamental needs and