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Sign upReal Estate Balance at MIPIM 2025
News / 13.03.2025
Real Estate Balance was once again represented at MIPIM, with our Managing Director Sue Brown, Chair Jo Davis, Board Directors Clarence Dixon and Andrea Ruckstuhl and Head of Events Vicky Gill joining our members in continuing to progress diverse and inclusive workplaces at the leading property event in Cannes, France.
We work with RX Global, the conference organisers, before and during MIPIM to develop discussions with equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in real estate in mind. This year’s sessions included:
EDI Networking Brunch with Greystar at the Greystar Villa.
This session was hosted by Bella Peacock, Senior Managing Director, Greystar, and the speakers were:
- Tim Burke, Editor, EG (moderator)
- Jo Davis, Principal, Managing Director Place, UK Executive Chair, Avison Young, and Chair of Real Estate Balance
- Mark Allan, CEO, Landsec
- Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor of London
Discussing the Real Estate Balance Industry EDI Survey 2024 findings with Avison Young on the Avison Young conference stand.
Sue introduced the key survey findings relating to gender, ethnicity and social mobility before the speakers below shared their thoughts on progressing EDI in UK real estate and its associated sectors:
- Jo Davis, Principal, Managing Director Place, UK Executive Chair, Avison Young and Chair of Real Estate Balance (moderator)
- Michele Steel, Chief Executive, Regeneration Brainery
- Sarah Hayford, Founder and CEO, The Land Collective
RX’s Battle for Talent on the Make It Happen Stage
This session explored how leaders can address this challenge of recruiting and retaining by fostering inclusive cultures that attract, develop and hold onto top talent and drive positive change across the sector with speakers including:
- Ronen Journo, Head of European Management Services, Hines Europe
- Chantal Clavier, Partner, Head of Real Estate, Heidrick & Struggles
- Federica Sanchez, Architect and Neuroscience Researcher, Lombardini22
- Justin Sullivan, CEO, RICS
- Sabine Schaffer, Co-Founder and CEO Europe, Pro-invest Group
Recruiting and retaining diverse talent in real estate with JLL, Knight Frank and Savills at the Greystar Villa
This event was introduced by the industry influencers, below, who shaped this session:
- Hannah Awonuga, Partner, Group Head of DEI, Knight Frank
- Chanelle Gray, Head of D&I and UK Board Director, Savills
- Anne-Lyse Raoul, Head of DE&I EMEA, JLL
Participants took part in a roundtable discussion on the topic of retaining diverse talent with table facilitators including Hannah, Channelle, Anne-Lyse and Paul Modu, Associate, Knight Frank, Jeremy Walden, UK and EMEA Head of Real Estate, Herbert Smith Freehills, and Wesley Ankrah, Social Value Director, Savills.
RX's Equality of Opportunities in Real Estate at Main Room, Gare Martime
The leading industry leaders, below, shared their thoughts on commitments and best practices for furthering EDI across a two-hour session.
- Stéphanie Bensimon, Member of the Executive Committee, Member of the Board and Head of Real Estate, Ardian France
- Colin Wilson, Chief Executive, EMEA, Cushman & Wakefield
- Jessica Hardman, CEO & Co-Founder, Aboria Capital
- Guila Clara Kessous, UNESCO Ambassador
- Andrea Agrusow, Managing Director and COO, GARBE Industrial Real Estate GmbH
- Cindy MacMillan, Vice President, Asset Management, Grosvenor
- Cristina Garcia-Peri, Senior Partner, Azora
- Beverley Kilbride, Chief Operating Officer, Europe, LaSalle Investment Management
- Emanuele Bena, Managing Partner, Velo Capital
Informal lunch with PwC and Real Estate Balance at Hôtel Barrière le Majestic Cannes
This event hosted by PwC Real Estate Partner Jo Cox and the PwC Real Estate team saw participants discuss UK-centric themes within the current macroeconomic and political backdrop including the collective sentiment for the UK and London across all asset classes and the impact of industry-wide efforts to date in improving the balance of perspectives within our industry.
Speaking from the event, Sue said:
“MIPIM continues to be among the preeminent property events in the world and it is vital that EDI is a seem running through the conference. Indeed, I would say more vital than ever in light of recent developments across the Atlantic! I am thankful to RX Global for their work with Real Estate Balance before and during MIPIM and to the many members we have collaborated with in developing sessions and securing speaking slots this year.”