As March draws to a close, we reflect on a busy month for ION Developments, most notably around our attendance at MIPIM 2025. 

At the very beginning of the month, work began on site at Hind Street urban village, which has outline planning consent for the development of a new neighbourhood with up to 1,600 homes in Birkenhead town centre. ION is supporting Wirral Council in developing the scheme, which has received funding from Homes England and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. 

It will also feature a new park along the old Dock Branch railway line, new and improved facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport, along with the development of other commercial and community facilities, transforming the future opportunities for those who live, work and invest in the town.    

Fresh from this milestone moment, three members of the ION team – managing director Steve Parry, projects director Chris Jones, and associate director Jason Cain – travelled to the south of France to attend MIPIM, the international real estate and investment conference which is held every year in Cannes and attracts civic leaders and investors from across the globe. 

We were proud to attend MIPIM as part of the Liverpool City Region delegation, highlighting the opportunities at Hind Street and also around Maghull Mental Health Innovation Park, where we are supporting Mersey Care NHS Trust, alongside Sefton Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, to bring forward plans for a world-class centre of excellence in mental health research. 

The week at MIPIM began with two separate arrival events hosted by Place North West and the Liverpool City Region; an opportunity to catch up with colleagues including Brabners, Sutcliffe, Pagabo, WSP and Starship, ahead of a busy week.  

The team were up bright and early on Tuesday morning to attend the launch of Derby’s office prospectus at an event featuring from Cllr Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, Paul Simpson, Chief Executive Derby City Council, Atish Palmer, Director of Cavendish & London Property Group, and our very own Steve Parry. The session provided a timely update on the significant regeneration plans for Derby city centre, where ION is working alongside the council. 

That was followed by an Investor Reception with a panel chaired by Melanie Leech, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation, and including Gus Wiseman from the Department for Business & Trade. The day was rounded off with the UK Cities Dinner, which was attended by a wide range of guests, from investors to local government leaders from across the UK, including Mayor Steve Rotheram.  

On Wednesday morning, it was ‘Flip it MIPIM’ on the Place North West stand, where the team contributed their ideas and insights on the various challenges of regeneration. All of that talking built up a healthy appetite,  which was more than satiated by the Drees & Sommer UK Curry. Huge thanks to Ian Goodman for a great curry and a great event with colleagues from Overbury, Bond Bryan, Morgan Sindall and Derby University.  

We also managed to fit in an impromptu catch-up with a major international hospitality operator about several hotel opportunities we are currently working on. 

Thursday saw the team go their separate ways for most of the day, trying to cover as much ground and identify as many opportunities as possible. Steve had an insightful meeting with WSP and Nick Gerrard of Blackpool City Council, while Chris enjoyed an excellent lunch event with Chris Barker from MHAC to hear more about their work in the West Midlands.   

Meanwhile, Jason attended “Investible North – Where Should Investors Put Their Money?” which was a Dragon’s Den-style panel of North West leaders pitching investment into their areas. They included Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, Michael Cullen, Chief Executive at Stockport Council, Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council), Lyn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, Pam Smith, Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council, and Joe Dyson, Director of Place at Bolton Council. 

The team then rounded off their day – and their MIPIM 2025 – with social drinks with WSP and Made Partnerships at the inimitable Ma Nolan’s. 

The experience was a tremendous success, with a host of interesting panel discussions on topics including transforming waterfronts, stadia redevelopment and urban regeneration, while the team were able to enjoy one of the key benefits of MIPIM – the chance to meet and speak with major investors, brands and policymakers, sparking ideas and making fresh connections. 

Subsequent weeks have seen the team dividing their time between our office on Liverpool’s waterfront, and meetings in Staffordshire, West Yorkshire and Derby, as well as closer to home in Sefton and Wirral as we deliver transformational regeneration schemes across the UK. 

The past month, and MIPIM in particular, reminds us that opportunities lie around every corner, and we love finding ways to unlock them.  

Hind Street Start On Site

Liverpool City Region Pavilion

Hind St Aerial View

Accor Hotels Event

Derby Office Prospectus

Steve Parry Derby Presentation