Manchester has once again underlined its status as the UK’s leading investment destination at MIPIM, with a confident, coordinated delegation showcasing the city-region’s long-term vision and delivery credentials to a global audience.
Led by Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig, the Greater Manchester presence was significantly strengthened by the backing of Metro Mayor Andy Burnham and Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett—presenting a powerful, unified leadership team committed to driving forward the region’s growth agenda.
A standout moment of this year’s programme was the announcement of the Good Growth Fund, a major new initiative designed to support inclusive, sustainable development across Greater Manchester. The fund signals both ambition and intent—reinforcing the city-region’s reputation for combining economic growth with social impact.
The strength of the delegation was further enhanced by senior public sector figures including Greater Manchester Combined Authority CEO Caroline Simpson, Manchester City Council CEO Tom Stannard, and Salford City Council CEO Stephen Young. Their presence demonstrated the depth of leadership and strategic alignment that continues to underpin Manchester’s success.
While cities including Liverpool, Newcastle, and Birmingham all impressed in Cannes with ambitious propositions and strong public-private collaboration, Manchester’s track record—built over more than three decades of consistent delivery—means it remains the benchmark against which others are judged by investors and policymakers alike.
Frank McKenna, Group Chair and Chief Executive of Downtown in Business, said:
“Manchester doesn’t just turn up at MIPIM—it sets the tone. What we saw in Cannes this year was a city-region operating at the very top of its game. Bev Craig, Andy Burnham and Paul Dennett provided visible, confident leadership, backed up by an outstanding team of senior officers who understand exactly how to translate vision into delivery.”
He added:
“The announcement of the Good Growth Fund is another example of Manchester leading from the front. It’s not just about growth—it’s about the right kind of growth.
That clarity of purpose is what gives investors’ confidence and keeps Greater Manchester ahead of the pack.”
McKenna concluded:
“Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham all brought strong delegations and compelling propositions this year—and that’s great for UK plc. But Manchester remains the gold standard. It has earned that position through consistency, collaboration, and an unrelenting focus on what comes next.”
The Downtown in Business MIPIM delegation included DB3 Group, Krol Corlett, Nugent, Starship, Sutcliffe, and Steven Hunt Associates, and was supported by Marketing Manchester, Atkins Realis, Avison Young, Laing O’ Rourke, Kier, Bruntwood, Causeway Technologies, Mindflow, Poke Marketing, Printroom UK, and United Wolves Productions.
