MIPIM reflections: Are we making any progress on gender diversity?

COMMENT MIPIM week in Cannes is a great chance to network and connect with the built environment industry. And this March, after so many cancelled meetings over the past few years, there was a real sense of “old MIPIM is back”. Much has been written about MIPIM’s sea of men in navy suits and gilets, starting from the moment you step on the plane through to the after-dark crowds outside the bars. And I’m afraid that image was still there in 2023. Many of the social media posts from Cannes show groups of men drinking rosé or sitting on male-only panels. Those who have seen the @MIPIMLads Twitter account will be alive to this picture of the event. Outnumbered But is this the true MIPIM? My experience was that there were many women in Cannes this year and a full agenda of female-focused events to attend. Adina David had been hugely successful in setting up the Ladies in Real Estate (LiRE) WhatsApp group, which gave a fantastic forum to advertise these events and welcome those who were new to the conference. As well as female speakers within the conference there were women in real estate breakfasts, diversity lunches and sector-focused drinks events supplemented by impromptu gatherings. All these events had some male attendees as well as women, which is absolutely the right way to plan such an event – and I think all of them were asked how they felt to be outnumbered. A theme that came through many conversations was the need to for inclusivity to be a primary driver when creating the built environment of the future – to do so we need to ensure the professionals behind the built environment are as diverse as possible. As we all settle back to the desk job, I wanted to reflect on how we can keep improving diversity in future years. Although the LiRE WhatsApp group has been hugely successful, I hope next year these events get the publicity they deserve on social media and we change the image of MIPIM as a sea of men to a diverse group of men and women – in a few more colours than navy. My feeling is that the more these events are promoted the more it will encourage women and other minority groups to feel they would like to attend the conference and get all the networking benefits it offers. Our Osborne Clarke team has reflected on the importance of encouraging the next generation to attend, as that is where the future of our industry lies. ESG promises Often the tips circulated before MIPIM are directed at women themselves, but companies should feel a responsibility to ensure their female employees who attend are housed in suitable accommodation, have a safe route home at night and are supported in filling their agenda with relevant events, rather than the old-fashioned plan of “just see who’s hanging around outside Bar Roma”. MIPIM has so much to offer to so many people in the panel discussions, networking events and smaller one-on-one meetings and can create both business and career opportunities. If we want to live and breathe our ESG promises, we all have a part to play to ensure the MIPIMs of the future are as diverse and fruitful as possible. Alison Riddle is a partner at Osborne Clarke Image courtesy of Osborne Clarke