Opinion: Sharing Greater Manchester’s growth story at MIPIM 2025

When Greater Manchester goes to MIPIM, it shows the city-region working at its very best.

We stand together, as one city-region speaking with one voice. The longstanding partnerships between the public and private sectors are clear for the world to see.

Stability is one our key strengths, but next year’s event will be different for a couple of reasons. On a personal note, MIPIM 2025 will be my first as Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. I am looking forward to attending alongside Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and our Greater Manchester portfolio lead for Economy, and Tom Stannard, who is also set to attend in a new role as Chief Executive of Manchester City Council. It will also be the first MIPIM under a new UK government, which has made clear that economic growth is its top priority.

For Greater Manchester to realise its full potential and support the government’s growth mission, it is crucial that we attract more international investment. The end result of that investment is more and better-paid jobs for our residents, greater opportunities for our businesses, and increased prosperity for everyone. But it starts with connections and conversations, and MIPIM is often where those conversations begin – providing a platform to share our story with the world.

When it comes to growth, the Greater Manchester story so far is a compelling one. Over the past two decades, our city-region has benefitted from strong leadership and long-term strategies put in place to drive economic growth. We’ve been at the forefront of English devolution, bringing decision-making closer to the people, communities and businesses it affects. We now build on the legacy of outstanding civic leaders – but we also have more tools than ever at our disposal. By the time MIPIM arrives next March, Greater Manchester will have agreed its first integrated settlement with government, which will give us more flexibility over our finances and future.

We have redefined what a city-region can and should be, ensuring the changes deliver for our people. All of these have helped grow our economy faster than the UK average in recent years.

Property investment and development has been the key catalyst for this growth. The development of new offices and commercial buildings has helped us attract major employers and leading international companies, who bring with them jobs and further investment. Building more homes has ensured people can settle and thrive here long-term. Through investment in our public transport network, in Metrolink and the Bee Network, people have become better connected to opportunities.

The scale of achievement is most visible in Manchester city centre, which is unrecognisable compared with 20 years ago. But from MediaCity in Salford to Stockport town centre, there are regeneration success stories all over our city-region. Our duty now is to ensure that success continues for decades to come.

Our message at MIPIM is clear – Greater Manchester is open for business. As ever, we are seeking new partnerships and collaboration. But we will also use the event to cement the relationships we already have – with local, national and international partners.

There is no shortage of opportunity. Anyone who visits our stand at MIPIM in March will learn about the next phase of Manchester city centre’s growth, the transformational plans for town centres in Wigan, Bolton and Oldham, new innovation hubs at Salford Crescent, Sister and Atom Valley, and the emerging Old Trafford regeneration scheme.

These propositions highlight the strength of our shared vision for the future and the power of the collaborative relationships that are so vital to delivering major regeneration projects. By coming together at MIPIM we can show the international investment community that Greater Manchester is the UK city-region to make success happen – an exciting place that doesn’t just dream big but delivers on its ambitions.