As the MIPIM conference in Cannes drew to a close last month, Henley Investments’ Chief Executive Ian Rickwood joined a select group of industry leaders at Property Week’s Editor’s Dinner, hosted by editor Lem Bingley.
Held in an informal setting, the dinner brought together senior voices from across the real estate sector to reflect on the key themes emerging from MIPIM 2025—ranging from placemaking and planning reform to retrofitting, housing delivery, and the growing influence of AI.
Reflecting on his conversations throughout the week, Ian Rickwood remarked on the shift in attitude from policymakers and civil servants:
”There was a real willingness to engage with housing issues and policy. They were really searching and asking the industry for solutions.
We heard more encouraging words from the UK and regional government teams on supporting housing delivery by trying to fix some of the core issues like the safety regulator. But the jury is definitely out on whether they are able to provide greater certainty, less friction and more flexibility to developers on getting consents built out.
With housing delivery under continued pressure and the regulatory landscape evolving rapidly, Ian’s comments resonated with broader discussions around how the public and private sectors can collaborate more effectively to unlock development.
The evening also highlighted broader trends shaping the industry—from the opportunities around health-led regeneration and small-scale developments, to the barriers posed by building safety legislation and rising construction costs.
Events such as the MIPIM Editor’s Dinner play a vital role in fostering cross-sector dialogue, especially at a time when fresh thinking and pragmatic solutions are needed more than ever. At Henley, we remain focused on delivering high-quality, sustainable real estate strategies that respond to both market dynamics and long-term societal needs.
