If you’re attending MIPIM this year, you may have noticed a stronger focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the event. From speaker representation to initiatives that spotlight the next generation of industry leaders, MIPIM is taking proactive steps to reflect the communities it serves.

As part of its commitment, MIPIM has pledged to maintain a balanced speaker programme and include at least one women on panels with three or more speakers. While gender balance is critically important, true inclusivity requires broader representation across age, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and professional experience.

Addressing the challenges

According to the World Economic Forum, women account for 41.9% of the global workforce but hold only 32.2% of senior leadership roles. When we look specifically at construction and real estate, the numbers are even lower. In the UK, for example, figures from the Office for National Statistics show that just 14% of professionals in the construction industry are women, while the Construction Industry Council reports that just 5.4% of construction workers are from a Black, Asian or ethnic minority background.

Attracting and retaining a more diverse workforce is critical to tackling the industry’s skills shortage and creating a built environment that is inclusive and fit for the future. Events like MIPIM play an important role in supporting change by amplifying a broad range of voices and ideas.

Championing diversity

MIPIM’s speaker programme reflects this commitment with discussions covering workplace equality, leadership pathways, and the future of talent in real estate. A key session, ‘Equality of Opportunities in Real Estate’ (12 March, 4pm-8pm), will bring together industry leaders to share best practices for driving meaningful change.

Another important initiative is MIPIM’s ‘Challengers’ programme, which creates space for the next generation of real estate professionals under 30. This year’s cohort of 16 emerging leaders includes 13 women, highlighting the growing role of young female talent shaping the sector.

Our managing director, Sophie Eastwood, is a director of the 6,000 strong network YEP, a forum for the property and construction industry to network, learn and share ideas. Sophie will be at MIPIM to spread the word about the YEP network, as well as how we support clients with strategic communications and research. YEP provides a platform for everyone from young people entering the industry, to future stars and key influencers, to forge relationships, do business and share knowledge.

The good news is that by continuing to champion diversity and inclusion, MIPIM and events like it are driving long-term changes in the built environment sector.

Meet us at MIPIM

Holistic will be attending MIPIM 2025 – let’s connect! To arrange a meeting, contact Sophie Eastwood.
For more updates and insights about MIPIM, make sure to follow Holistic on LinkedIn.