On the final day of BusinessLDN’s programme at MIPIM, the London Lunch – kindly sponsored by Lendlease – brought together members and senior London stakeholders for a timely reset. Stepping away from the intensity of the international programme, the lunch created space to focus on the capital’s priorities with those shaping its future. After two days of rain, coats, and umbrellas, the sun put in a welcome appearance, setting the tone for a relaxed, upbeat gathering that felt like a genuine lift in the middle of a crowded week.
The lunch created a rare moment to regroup with London’s business, political, and development community in one room. Guests reflected on the strength and pace of conversations already taking place across MIPIM, while valuing the chance to reconnect with familiar faces and refocus on London. For many, it was an opportunity to test thinking, share perspectives, and consider how discussions in Cannes translate into delivery back in the capital. It underlined the value of carving out space at MIPIM for a London‑focused conversation – grounded in shared experience and practical action.
In his remarks, Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Regeneration, reflected on the scale of the challenges facing London and the need for a coordinated, outcomes‑focused response from both government and industry. Drawing on recommendations from BusinessLDN’s forthcoming Growth Commission report, he highlighted the importance of building confidence, unlocking investment, and creating the right conditions for progress across the housing and growth agenda. The emphasis was on clarity and collaboration – creating the conditions rather than relying on short‑term fixes.
Discussion over lunch reinforced the central role London’s business community continues to play in shaping debate and driving progress, both at MIPIM and back home. There was a strong sense of shared purpose in the room, alongside recognition of the importance of partnership, maintaining momentum, and keeping growth firmly on the agenda as key decisions are taken in the months ahead. That focus on turning ambition into delivery will continue at BusinessLDN’s flagship Future London conference in June, where implementation and long‑term competitiveness will be central themes.
The tone was lifted further by remarks from Lendlease’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Misa von Tunzelman, who captured the realities of MIPIM with humour. Comparing the conference to Glastonbury – complete with queues, packed schedules, and a constant sense of FOMO – she described the London Lunch as the equivalent of the Pyramid Stage: the place to be on a Wednesday in Cannes.
Jules echoed that sentiment, describing the lunch as a highlight of the week for those focused on London and thanking members and partners for their continued engagement and leadership. The message from the room was clear – while the challenges facing the capital are significant, there is real energy and appetite across business and government to come together, work constructively, and keep driving London’s growth, competitiveness, and future success.
BusinessLDN would like to thank Lendlease for sponsoring the London Lunch, alongside Arcadis, Ballymore, and Quod as sponsors of the wider programme, and all the members, partners, and London stakeholders who joined us in Cannes, contributing to such a positive and distinctly London presence at MIPIM 2026.
