Recently in Bob Dyson Category

The Manchester Stand has continued to pull in the crowds over the last two days with presentations building on Manchester's focus on science, technology and innovation. There has been a proud showcasing of the varied work undertaken by The University of Manchester in the IVF and Graphene (world's thinnest material - don't worry, I didn't know either) fields by Robert G Edwards; and Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov respectively for which each were awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and Physics - not a lot of people know that.

Siemens' Industry Finance Director, Robin Phillips, was joined in one of the sessions by Bruntwood's Chris Ogelsby to again highlight the city's "science powerhouse" with glowing endorsements of the potential for a bespoke real estate offer and collaborative approach between the knowledge based industries, universities and property sector.

My personal MIPIM highlight, for which I and others have painstakingly worked for more than three years, was the launch by Martyn Hulme and David Pringle of the Co-operative Estates of NOMA - Manchester's new £1bn, 4m sq ft, 10-year-plus developments for the Northern Gateway to the city. NOMA simply has it all: an approved masterplan for 1.5m sq ft of new offices, 1.3m sq ft of business and retail space, 10 listed buildings, 900 residential units together with hotels and lifestyle space; all to be set within the new public realm of international standard. NOMA will reinforce Manchester's position in the hierarchy of top European cities. It's so exciting to be part of such an enthusiastic team in bringing NOMA to life. The important next stage is today's NOMA lunch which I must dash for...

Bob Dyson is Development Director/Chairman North West at Jones Lang LaSalle

Plenty of time on Eurostar/TGV yesterday enroute to Cannes to anticipate the highlights and challenges of my 19th MIPIM. Not too many fellow 'MIPIM warriors' on board but did see a number running through PowerPoint presentations before we entered the tunnel. A review of my own meeting schedule accentuates the activity and my personal focus around the launch of the Co-operative's Manchester Development - four million sq ft of truly transformational mixed-use development on 20 acres of city centre site. This is already in the making with the Co-operative's new HQ rising like a Phoenix as the centrepiece.

Now sitting back for the duration and thinking about the 100 plus Manchester property elite flying out "Sir Howard's Airways" charter from Manchester Airport with all executive frills afforded. Conspicuous by his absence was my own ubiquitous colleague, Jonathan Mills, who availed himself on the Easyjet flight from John Lennon Airport - which reminds me, I am not looking forward to seeing JLL's retail guru, Tim Vallance after Liverpool's drubbing of Man Utd on Sunday!

Thirteen hours after leaving St Pancras (following a hiccup with the connection in Paris) a stroll past Caffe Roma revealed a much busier scene than last year; and this morning the Russian Stand was as busy as ever from first thing.

Manchester City Council has its usual commanding balcony position in the Palais des Festivals with fabulous interactive displays of all things commercial property and growth related very much to the fore. Sir Howard Bernstein has just opened one of the six MIPIM Manchester presentations with a strong reinforcement of the City's ambition to move Manchester's growth and employment aspirations forward in the science and innovation fields.

The Co-operative's much heralded masterplan is to be launched together with the unveiling of its new identity on the Manchester Stand at 3.45pm tomorrow (Wednesday) when Martyn Hulme and David Pringle of Co-operative Estates will be outlining their plans for this £1 billion development and the likely impact it will have on Manchester's commercial property market. It's a slot not to be missed - be there - drinks reception to follow in the Manchester Apartment.

It's only mid-morning and The Palais is now buzzing. Off for a wander before a light client lunch in readiness for Manchester's Commission for the New Economy afternoon presentation and Jones Lang LaSalle's English Client Dinner this evening... phew... and another three days ahead!

Well, three days in and the Manchester and Salford City Regions contingent have their tails up like never before.

Daily presentations on the Manchester stand, which have been packed with audiences hearing about the compelling attractions of relocating and investing in the conurbation, are about to wind up with Sir Howard's and Eddie Smith's jaw-dropping proposals for New East Manchester.

The relaxed mood that permeates the sun-drenched Croisette belies the focused and determined desire to develop 'Brand Manchester' and continue the renaissance of the city and its environs, which are quite the envy of the other UK regions represented here in Cannes.