Liverpool MIPIM Steering Group oversees the Liverpool private sector delegations to the global MIPIM property expo in Cannes and its new UK version held in London

Deloitte partner Sean Beech is stepping down as chair of the private sector group that oversees Liverpool delegations to MIPIM in Cannes and in London, a role he has held since 2013.

Stephen Cowperthwaite, managing director at the Liverpool office of commercial property consultancy Avison Young (formerly GVA), will be the new chair of the MIPIM Steering Group.

MIPIM is a global property expo that takes place in March in every year which this year saw a 42-strong private sector delegation head to the French Riviera. In recent years there has also been a MIPIM UK event held in London later in the year.

The switch was announced at this week’s MIPIM partners meeting when the private sector delegates were joined by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram to review the successes from the March Cannes event and set out the strategy for the 2019/20 programme.

The meeting also featured a panel session hosted by Alastair Houghton involving new MIPIM delegates Julie Johnson (Liverpool BID Company), Tony McDonnell (Davies Partnership) and James Flannery (Cunard Construction) who provided their personal feedback on the March event.

Sean was asked by Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson back in 2013 to galvanise private sector support and ensure that Liverpool was present at the annual international event to showcase the city’s investment opportunities. In recent years, the programme has been delivered under the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

“Leading the Liverpool MIPIM delegation has been one of my career-defining achievements,” said Sean,

“We have increased the delegation from 14 partners and 25 people in March 2014 to 42 partners and 120 people this year, amazing growth, and I believe that MIPIM represents the very best of how the private and public sector work together in the city region.”

Sean continues to lead the Liverpool Deloitte office and was also recently appointed as the firm’s North West clients and industries head. Deloitte have already signed up for the Liverpool MIPIM 2019/20 programme.

Stephen Cowperthaite added: “Sean has put in place a really solid platform that we can build upon, and we are now in a position to raise the bar. I’ve enjoyed being a member of the steering group for the past two years and relish the opportunity as chair to help lead the conversations and set our MIPIM agenda.”