MIPIM: Neville returns as Manchester keynote speaker

Manchester has unveiled its speaker line-up for its stand events at MIPIM 2015, with former Manchester United FC footballer Gary Neville taking the top slot for the second year running.

MIPIM is the European property market event which is due to take place in Cannes from the 10-13 March.

The theme for the Manchester at MIPIM partnership is Manchester's place at the forefront of the Smart Cities agenda, with the three-day calendar of presentations based around the three "vital components" of a city, designated "head, hands and heart".

Tuesday 10 March

Focused on the theme of "head", stand sessions will explore the intellectual capacity of Manchester and the importance of strong governance and leadership. In the morning NOMA's director David Pringle will provide an update on the Co-operative Group's property and wider strategy, and Matt Crompton of English Cities Fund will discuss the launch of the New Bailey development and its contribution to the creation of a new neighbourhood in Salford.

The afternoon session will be led by Professor Nancy Rothwell, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester. At the first MIPIM since Manchester took on the title of European City of Science, Professor Nancy Rothwell will be joined by Bruntwood's Chris Oglesby and Manchester Science Partnership's Rowena Burns to discuss the city's science agenda. Amongst the properties to be covered will be the National Graphene Institute, opening this spring, and the £235m Sir Henry Royce Institute announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in December.

Afterwards, there will be a debate at the Manchester Villa, where Rothwell and Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester Council, will hold a session on the strategic importance of the European City Of Science.

Wednesday 11 March

The day will look at the topic of "hands" and will cover ground-breaking Manchester creations, from cultural output to the manufacture of advanced materials. In the morning, Lynda Shillaw, property chief executive of Airport City Manchester will provide an overview on the £800m development, revealing how it is helping to attract key sectors, and how it reflects the city's ambition as a player in the global marketplace.

The afternoon will see Michael Ingall, managing director of Allied London speak on the development of St John's including the recently announced cultural hub The Factory, the £78m large-scale, ultra-flexible arts space planned to be the permanent home to the Manchester International Festival.

Thursday 12 March

On the final day of events, "heart" will shine a spotlight on the people and communities that make Manchester great. In the morning, Deborah McLaughlin, chief executive of Manchester Place will present the partnership, which aims to create 55,000 new homes by 2027.

In the afternoon, Gary Neville will discuss his property company Zerum's investment and development in the city centre. Neville is currently involved in the conversion of the former Stock Exchange in Norfolk Street into a hotel, and is working with Manchester City council on a mixed-use development at Bootle Street.

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, the agency that leads on the city's presence at MIPIM, said: "It's a great pleasure to announce such a well-rounded range of esteemed speakers as part of Manchester's 2015 MIPIM offering.

"This year I think we have very strong messages about the scale of opportunity and ambition in the city, to bring to MIPIM's influential, global audience, and with a record 75-strong delegation of partners on board, Manchester is sure to make a lasting impression."

Full details of Manchester's line-up at MIPIM 2015 can be viewed here: www.manchesteratmipim.com/mipim-schedule/

Manchester stand sessions will be streamed twice daily at 09.30 GMT (10.30 CET) and 14.30 GMT (15.30 CET) via www.manchesteratmipim.com from Tuesday 10 March to Thursday 12 March.