Three days into MIPIM, we are starting to see the "North" take shape as a single entity, with events for Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool often overlapping in their coordinated focus on infrastructure and skills.
As encouraging as this is, it makes you realise that far from the "Northern Powerhouse" being a modern creation, the reality is that we have been part of a collective all along. For every unique local trait, there is a common pattern in the way northern cities live and work, it just might be that this was the year for the world to see us singing from the same hymn sheet.
My own personal experience has always been one of a connected North: I'm Yorkshire-born and Leeds-based, but the route inbetween has seen me studying in Liverpool, followed by various long stints working in Manchester.
Many northerners will share a similar variation of this narrative, with the regions' major cities often trading their talent through their excellent universities and growing business centres. One year on from the official formation of the Northern Powerhouse initiative, these converging paths are still to be strengthened further in the form of advanced transport links, improved communication and a shared dialogue that sees the formation of a 'Super Cities Region'. Although I am yet to see my travel time across the Pennines benefit from this.
This year's Deloitte Crane Survey reported sustained development growth in Leeds and Manchester, whilst Birmingham finally caught up! As the new projects shoot up, our focus now is in working with the local authorities to turn these developments into sustainable communities brimming with talent, with the right skills for our local needs. There is still much more to be done to ensure our cities are allowed to provide education tailored to local needs and create true locations for international standout.
It is with this experience that I have turned my attentions further afield: my MIPIM role this year has been extended to Belfast, which has been observing the growing influence of its neighbours in GB, as it prepares to propel itself forward.
Having worked across the regions throughout my career, I have been able to work with Belfast City Council on a week-long programme that has so far covered talent, tax and technology. Its flagship projects have drawn attention to its own connectivity both physical and digital, excellent higher educational institutions, research programmes and the much awaited tax advantages to continue securing record levels of FDI.
Together, the North is setting an example for the rest of the regions to emulate, and I'm looking forward to securing the future prospects for Belfast when we return to the UK.
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