Tag Archives: MIPIM
Actually this is not true. It started a couple of months ago. MIPIM is the world property show, held each year in Cannes.
For some reason, I seem to have ended up with the organisation again for Team Nottingham. It can’t be my turn next year!
I know I am getting old – MIPIM comes round with alarming regularity – it seems like five minutes since were there ‘on our own’ for the first time. You might recall that in the austere times we live in Nottingham City Council chose not to attend the show last year. The private sector paid for Lorraine Baggs from Invest in Nottingham to attend.
This year we have attracted another private sector sponsor – so the 8-strong team is now – Innes England, Gleeds, CPMG Architects, Couch Perry Wilkes, Miller Birch, Morgan Tucker, Geldards and Rizk McCay. The team is made up of teams who can make things happen in Nottingham – but we still need Lorraine Baggs and so we are paying for her representation again.
Last year there were 18,600 registered delegates from 90 Countries. But more importantly there were 4,000 Investors and Financial Institutions and 240 Corporate end-users. These are the people we are after!
For the first time, Low cost airline bmibaby has launched a special service from East Midlands Airport to Nice. The flight will depart from East Midlands Airport on 6th March 2012 and will arrive back on 9th March 2012. bmibaby is the only airline to offer flights to the MIPIM conference from East Midlands Airport.
We already have two events booked – a VIP Dinner and a drinks reception. We have more to do yet, but the foundations are set.
My personal belief is that Nottingham needs to be at the show. It not an option. We need to make sure we meet and greet potential investors in the City. This sort of investment doesn’t happen overnight. But not being there looks like we might be closed?
52.941294
-1.166237
Leave a comment | tags: bmibaby, Invest in Nottingham, MIPIM, Nottingham | posted in Business, MIPIM 2010, Nottingham
As the evenings draw shorter, we start to plan for 2012. And high on our calendar of ‘events’ for the firm is MIPIM, the annual property show in Cannes – I have stopped counting how many times I have been.
A sneaky picture of me working in Cannes taken by Lisa Pilkington from the Estates Gazette
The planning has started for Team Nottingham to have a persence again. The City Council still have no funding to allow represntation of the City on this world stage – so the private sector remain in the seat. We do get great support from Invest in Nottingham.
It looks like we may have some new sponsors this year. This is great news as it allows us to raise more funds and have better events. Last year we had two – which were really well attended. More sponsors also means more help and support.
As the economic situation seems to worsen, MIPIM becomes more important. It is all to easy to slash marketing budgets in tough times – but not everyone has. We need to keep Nottingham firmly on the International map. We have done this in the past, but I have a view which says that if you miss one or two years that could undo all of the good work we have done before.
MIPIM represents a massive networking opportunity. Key players, decision-makers and influencers are all there. We have done well in previous years in getting these people to our get-togethers.
We also feed off our other sponsors. The name of the game is making contact with as many people as possible.
My colleague, Matt Hannah, once said that he wished it were in Blackpool – not Cannes. I’m not sure I agree with that – a bit of sunshine, some gleaming yachts and a glass of champagne or two wouldn’t be quite the same on the Mersey Riviera? And we do work as I can prove here.
Obviously I am joking about the champagne – in these tough times it is more likely to be lager…
52.941294
-1.166237
1 comment | tags: Cannes, City Council, England, MIPIM, Nottingham, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire | posted in Business, MIPIM 2010, Nottingham
I was in London last night – with my friends from Invest in Nottingham. It was another event to promote Nottingham – as a follow on to the work done at MIPIM back in March.
The event was held at the newly opened St Pancras Hotel. It’s very easy to get to – no taxi’s from the Station! Just a short walk down the platform. I had travelled with a number of fellow ‘promoters’ in First Class style – at a discount from East Midland Trains.
The new Hotel is an amazing annexe to the already brilliant St Pancras Station. The hotel is simply stunning – the train station isn’t bad either! The finishes are fantastic. These intertwined pieces of Victorian architecture really are jewels. They were built in an era of massive growth in the UK and they were very public trophies proudly displayed by their owners.
And that’s what we were doing on Wednesday; showing off Nottingham to a London crowd. It was all about meeting investors and promoting the City. We want people to put their money in our town. We need inward investment; there are competitors out there. But we have some great stories to tell. We are at the heart of the Midlands.
There were more than 120 guests, investors, end users and developers at the event, invited by the City’s business contacts. It was a very impressive turn out!
Capital Shopping Centres, Westfield, BioCity, our two first-class universities and our very strong professional sector were among those helping to extol the virtues of Nottingham as a great place to do business. Team Nottingham worked the floor hard!
I thought the whole event went well and hopefully this will turn into real enquiries for development or occupiers.
52.941294
-1.166237
Leave a comment | tags: East Midland Trains, Invest in Nottingham, Invest in Nottingham Club, Investment, Inward Investment, London, MIPIM, Nottingham, St Pancras railway station | posted in Business, MIPIM 2010, Nottingham
The Midlands is the most attractive destination to overseas investors outside London according to research released last week by Ernst & Young.
This is great news for Nottingham – the natural centre of the Midlands!
91 inward investment projects were established in the region in 2010 and this places the Midlands as the most attractive destination for inward investment projects outside of London. The projects resulted in 3,769 new jobs being created in the region, an increase of 150 per cent in 12 months – the largest in England.
Nottingham has had its fair share of the success stories, Changan Automotive moved to No.1 Nottingham Science Park – which I manage for Blueprint. Changan made it clear that their decision to move was the expertise they could tap into at the University of Nottingham. This was one of 13 projects in Nottingham highlighted in the report.
Nottingham has the ability to stay on track for inward investment – especially if we can continue to lobby for improvements to our infrastructure. Rail and air travel are ok (although we still need, in my view to lobby for HS2). Our next major wish-list item has to be the widening of the A453.
Last week the Planners in Nottingham gave a thumbs up to the revised Broad Marsh centre plans – we now need Westfield to get on site!
Our two University’s remain vitally important to the City. We also have expertise in the manufacturing Industries – we have a deep history in Raleigh, Players cigarettes and Boots. That expertise may be dormant, but it is easy to get it back…
In the meantime, we need to shout from the rooftops that we are ready to welcome inward investment!
52.941294
-1.166237
2 comments | tags: Broadmarsh Centre, England, Ernst & Young, Inward Investment, London, MIPIM, No.1 Nottingham Science Park, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, University of Nottingham, Westfield | posted in Business, Green stuff, Nottingham
One of the key things about our visit to MIPIM each year is that is one of a number of ‘events’ which are carefully co-ordinated to make sure Nottingham is seen on a big stage. The City needs inward investment as we can’t just rely on home-grown talent (although that has a place too). It is critical we build on the contacts we make in Cannes – and elsewhere around the World.
Nottingham has now got the next three big inward investment events lined up.
The first is when we head off to London and descend on the fantastic newly re-opened St Pancras Hotel. This event, organised by the Invest in Nottingham Club, will be on 22nd June – and is already generating lots on interest. It gives us a chance to parade Nottingham in the Capital!
The second is the Tour De Nottingham on 8 July. This is the second such event and it gives Nottingham a chance to showcase the city’s regeneration areas and meet up with property professionals from across the UK. There is a 60 mile bike-ride to showcase Nottingham’s business opportunities and will culminate with a dinner hosted by key city business leaders and major private sector companies. Team Nottingham are sponsoring the lunch!
And then finally the date for this year’s Invest in Nottingham Day has now been confirmed as 19th September. This will be the third Invest in Nottingham Day the city has held, the event is now an official yearly date in the city’s business calendar. This day will be attended by business professionals looking to expand, move or relocate their business to a world class city.
My friends at Invest in Nottingham are arranging these days – and everyone in the business community should support them – as the saying goes, “treat all visitors as Angels – because you never know!”
52.941294
-1.166237
Leave a comment | tags: Invest in Nottingham, Invest in Nottingham Club, Inward Investment, MIPIM, Nottingham, St Pancras Hotel | posted in Green stuff, MIPIM 2010, Nottingham
As you will know if you follow my blog regularly I was heavily involved in Nottingham’s presence at MIPIM 2011. We went on a budget, punched well above our weight and by all accounts enjoyed success as a group of private sector firms doing their bit for the wider benefit of the City.
We had our post-MIPIM post-mortem last week at Nottingham Contemporary. I think I can now give tours! After the tour we settled down for a meal in the cafe and had a chance to reflect on 2011. By all accounts the firms who put their hard earned cash into the event were pleased with their investment. The cocktail party in Cannes was regarded as the best event – we had a very good turnout – and the quality of guests was really high. There were some excellent networking opportunities.
Although much of what we do is ‘slow-burn’ there were some success stories. One of the partners in Team Nottingham is quoting for work worth a six-figure sum as a direct result of a meeting at MIPIM. That is money coming into Nottingham. It could have gone elsewhere.
I have met two potential investors and developers as a direct result of MIPIM – and hope that one of them may pursue one of Nottingham’s biggest regeneration challenges.
What was really interesting was the commitment now for 2012. Everyone is in from the private sector. All of the private sector partners felt that the time,, money and effort added a positive to their business. We don’t have to justify that to anyone other than ourselves. The public sector have more of a challenge – in demonstrating ‘value for money’. I doubt that their position will have changed – but their presence is essential. The private sector may well need to pay for their attending again.
So it looks like the work to build on the success of the last few years will need to start all over again. March 2012 seems a long way off, but it amazing how quickly time flies…
52.941294
-1.166237
2 comments | tags: Cannes, French Riviera, Investment, MIPIM, Nottingham, Nottingham City Council, Nottingham Contemporary, Private sector | posted in Business, MIPIM 2010, Nottingham
Last month I blogged about the data suggesting that the property market was ‘flatlining’ – but my latest data from PropertyData suggests a bit of a change. Their graphical representation of the transactions on a comparative basis for the first two months of the year looks promising.
And in the last month – yields have shifted slightly downwards (pushing values up). The February average was 5.79% , down from a three month average of 6.21%. These are averages and we might be falling into the trap of statistics, statistics and bloody lies. In fact the transactions shown in the graph are skewed as I mentioned last month by the sale of the Trafford Centre. Also included in the figures is the sale of the E.On building in Nottingham which was pre-let and pre-sold.
The market remains challenging. In reality there is little new lending – and where we do hear of it the terms are hardly newsworthy. There is very little appetite for speculative development. At MIPIM last week I spoke to a number of people who thought that the days of putting buildings up in the hope of finding an occupier after it is complete would not return for years. Pre-letting is the name of the game!
And so I return to the Derby Regeneration Fund – which is due to be announced this week (although my weekend edition of Property Week suggested that Bolsterstone and Lowbridge were scheme winners). I think the scheme is admirable – and shows a really positive and pro-active stance by the Authority.
But it doesn’t fundamentally allow the market to be bucked. If you don’t have an occupier then you don’t have a scheme at the moment.
I personally don’t see much confidence returning to the market until later in the year. That’s not to say I don’t have my fingers crossed for an earlier return to the glory days!
52.941294
-1.166237
3 comments | tags: business, Cannes, Derby, MIPIM, Nottingham, Property Week, Real estate, Trafford Centre | posted in Business, MIPIM 2010
I have been a Director of Nottingham Regenration Limited for the last few years. I have really enjoyed my time on this local Board. But times have changed.
We had hoped to convert the Company into a Economic Development Company (like at Leicester) but the politics changed and these organisations fell out of favour. The election nailed the lid down of the coffin on that proposal.
The major funding partners (emda, Nottingham City Council and the Housing and Communities Agency) also went through some significant changes. It became clear that NRL was moving towards a new era. And to shift into a new gear it was agreed that the Board needed to step down and slim down (no cheap gags there!). So we all resigned a few weeks ago.
NRL will carry on – in a new form. It is now based in Loxley House and will continue to work closely with the City Council in trying to encourage investment and development in Nottingham. NRL were at MIPIM 2011 and they did a fantastic job of promoting the City. It remains a very important local company – ably headed up by Mike Taylor. The team are really talented and grasp regeneration fully. They are well placed to make sure Nottingham still has a regeneration agenda.
The finances of the Company are such that it probably has sufficient funds to carry on for a few years – this was an essential part of the decision to change the Company. And in the current climate this is a pretty good legacy.
I sincerely hope the Company prosper, grow and continue to influence the regeneration of Nottingham. That agenda needs to be pushed even in a tough economic climate. Perhaps more so?
But my involvment in NRL hasn’t completely ended – there will be a forum for like-minded and interested professionals around the City to act as a sounding board for schemes. In some ways this is why I joined the Board – to lend my experience and expertise in property schemes across the City.
So it’s not really ‘goodbye NRL’, it’s ‘welcome to a new era’.
52.941294
-1.166237
Leave a comment | tags: Loxley House, MIPIM, Nottingham, Nottingham City Council, Nottingham Regeneration Ltd, NRL, Prospect Leicestershire | posted in Business, MIPIM 2010, Nottingham
After my lunch yesterday I headed off in search of my colleagues – who had walked so far they were virtually out of Cannes. Coffee shops are a necessary evil (!) of MIPIM – if only to rest your feet and, if possible, to find wifi!
The sun sets on MIPIM 2011
I had a last look around ‘The Bunker‘ and met up with another developer who I hadn’t seen for 3 years. He was fairly bullish about the market and is keen to look at one particular scheme in Nottingham – we are meeting in a couple of weeks time.
Our evening was rounded off with a Team Nottingham meal – to reflect on MIPIM 2011. And the verdict from the French Jury…
* It was much more focussed this year; the ‘flash the cash’ crowd had gone.
* We needed Invest in Nottingham and NRL – it gave us credibility.
* We made an impression and were noticed. We have around 80 new contacts.
* We entertained and engaged with real prospects across many sectors.
From a personal perspective it was also a successful show. There are opportunities at MIPIM to meet new people, but also catch up with other friends and acquaintances in an environment that encourages people to hang around and chat.
I never did persuade the team to guest blog – but I did manage to extract some comments:
Lorraine Baggs – Invest in Nottingham – “I had valuable conversations with 2 or 3 Companies interested in Energy Park – and these will be followed up when I get back to the UK”
Mike Taylor – NRL – “I had several discussions with serious investor / developers regarding the potential redevelopment of Trent Basin”
Richard Flischer – CPMG Architects – “At MIPIM everyone fights for their town. If you’re not here you have no voice; you lose”
Jon Enever – Gleeds – “Team Nottingham once again showed that Nottingham can punch above it’s weight.”
Matt Tucker – Morgan Tucker – “I won two commissions in the last afternoon; that’s the real value to my business.”
52.941294
-1.166237
2 comments | tags: Cannes, Derby, England, Investment, MIPIM, Nottingham, NRL | posted in Business, Green stuff, MIPIM 2010, Nottingham, Robin Hood
MIPIM 2011 draws to a close and we set off back home for the UK tomorrow.
Is this what we are about?
Today has been a quieter day compared to Wednesday. I had a couple of meetings this morning with a developers and an investor – the former who is desperate to seek opportunities in Nottingham. We will now work on those – they have real cash to invest. That’s why we are here.
I spoke to a Investor about our appointment this week to sell Heritage Gate in Derby. I’m working with Nick Hosking in my Derby office to sell this £11m scheme. He is coming up to Nottingham and Derby in the next couple of weeks.
Lunch was with Deb Tate from Thinking Place – about how Nottingham creates an identity for itself. This ties in with some of the Robin Hood work we are still doing. It was a fascinating and ‘challenging’ lunch. Deb works only with ‘places’ – Countries, Regions, Cities. And the question or challenge is ‘what is Nottingham about’. Easy? Not really.
Does Nottingham lack a clarity of purpose; does Nottingham have a central point of difference? Probably and probably not? Do we just sell features and not benefits? Probably. What do we want to be known for? What do we want to be remembered for? I think I know – but is there a common thread. Is everyone saying the same thing?
These are not easy questions – and gave me food for thought.
We do have to challenge the status quo.
It’s a subject I will return to…
52.941294
-1.166237
Leave a comment | tags: Cannes, Derby, England, French Riviera, MIPIM, MIPIM 2011, Nottingham, Nottingham City Council, Robin Hood | posted in Business, MIPIM 2010, Nottingham, Robin Hood
