More than seventy public and private sector partners from across the Midlands will come together to showcase major investment opportunities in the region to MIPIM’s international audience, which will include potential investors, property agents, developers and media from more than 100 countries. The events will all be held in the Midlands UK Pavilion (C16.D) and will explore topics including connectivity, housing and inclusive growth.

Sir John Peace, Chair of the Midlands Engine, will present the real estate investor community with the Midlands Engine Investment Portfolio on 13th March, showcasing almost £10 billion worth of investment opportunities.

The event programme is split into seven themes that follow the real estate lifecycle, starting with creating the right landscape for growth through to attracting investment and building for the future. Thousands of delegates are expected to attend across the 50+ events.

Connectivity will be a key focus across a number of events, with massive infrastructure investment including high-speed rail network HS2 and expanding air, rail and road networks all playing a role in boosting the economic impact of the Midlands.

Meeting the residential challenge in the region will be another focus. A panel discussion on Wednesday 14th March will look at how to unlock the housing potential of the Midlands and will feature Sir Ed Lister, chairman of Homes England.

Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “As many people will have noticed from the number of cranes occupying the skyline, Birmingham is a city that is humming with the noise of regeneration. The city centre has been transformed through significant investment in infrastructure and commercial real estate and is now a destination of choice for international investment and blue-chip occupiers.

“The Midlands Pavilion is again set to be the centre of the conversation at MIPIM what with Birmingham recently being awarded the Commonwealth Games as well as exciting announcements planned for Peddimore, which represents one of the most significant industrial opportunities in the UK.”

The event programme will also highlight some of the region’s recent cultural successes, with receptions celebrating Coventry as UK City of Culture 2021 and Birmingham’s 2022 Commonwealth Games win.

Andy Street, Mayor for the West Midlands, added: “We are proud to be a partner in the Midlands at MIPIM and excited about the unrivalled opportunities this event offers to promote the West Midlands as the most liveable, investable and competitive place in the UK.

“The West Midlands is at the heart of the future of Britain. We are the largest regional economy with more business start-ups than anywhere else in the UK. We have unrivalled connectivity – with 90% of the UK’s market in reach within four hours. We are confident and we are winning. The West Midlands’ time is now, and as part of the wider Midlands delegation to MIPIM we will maximise our opportunity to showcase our region to the world.”

Key schemes that will be showcased to investors include the £550 million Birmingham Paradise project and the industrial development at Peddimore, which will create up to 10,000 new jobs for the region.

Court Collaboration founder Anthony McCourt commented: “Great things are happening in the Midlands – you can feel it. Confidence is high here and it has given Court Collaboration scope to develop thousands of new homes people can be proud of.

“But there is more to come – some of Europe’s largest regeneration schemes will continue to drive more scope for growth, attracting entrepreneurs and investors from across the globe. This vast potential will be there for all to see at MIPIM, and we are excited to be part of it.”