A taskforce made up of local businesses have joined together to drive change and bring the public and private sectors together to attract better investment and occupiers to Scotland.

Companies MLA Architects, PMP, Saffery, Civic Engineers, and Place North have teamed up to launch the inaugural event, Attracting Occupiers and Investment – Why is Scotland missing from MIPIM?

The consortium of property experts set up the taskforce following the global property event, MIPIM. This is an annual real estate conference in France attracting 20,0000+ delegates from 90 countries. After this event, the group took decisive action to ask the critical question, “Why is Scotland missing from MIPIM?.”
 
The consortium of property businesses said: “Scotland has a thriving property sector but it is felt that the investment and connections to assist our industry needs to be accelerated to tap into a global audience of investors and occupiers for the future of Scotland. We have joined forces from different perspectives but with one common goal and that is to bring the Scottish Property Sector to a global audience of investors and occupiers.”

The event, which is now sold out and has a waiting list, has attracted businesses and the public sector to get involved in the conversation. The discussion will be led by Dan Whelan Deputy Editor, Place North with a panel of experts that includes:

• Jonathan Guthrie: director for strategic partnerships, Robertson Group
• Adam Russell: investment director, Drum Properties
• Lillian McDowall: head of business development, Scape Scotland
• Louise Norris: partner, Lindsays
• Cllr Susan Aitken: leader of Glasgow City Council
• Dino Moutsopoulos: managing partner, Place North

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said: “I’m looking forward to what I’m sure will be very positive discussions on how together we help take forward our neighbourhoods, our towns and cities and, of course, this vital sector.

“Here in Glasgow, development activity is visibly on the increase and planning applications have been returning to pre-pandemic levels. So, the timing of our conversations couldn’t be better and I’m sure that the relationships nurtured by events like this can build on the partnerships already established and taking forward these issues in Glasgow.”

Place North’s managing partner, Dino Moutsopoulos, said: “Place North is proud to be part of what we hope will be an event that kickstarts Scotland’s position on the international stage. Even with plenty of opportunity, Scotland remains under invested and this should not be the case. Place North is collaborating with other partners at this event in order to lend our expertise and experience to making sure Scotland can successfully position itself to international investors and developers whilst supporting the fantastic private sector businesses driving and improving the towns and cities across the country.”

The event will take place at the Social Hub Co-Working space in Glasgow and will be the first in a series of events to bring action to Scotland’s property landscape.

Sponsors include MLA, PMP, Saffery, Civic Engineers and Place North.