The first cohort of 16 MIPIM Challengers – a new initiative that will invite a group of young built environment professionals to MIPIM 2024 to challenge the real estate industry – have been announced.
The 16 Challengers were selected by an expert panel of built environment judges based on essays addressing the question ‘What is the most crucial challenge confronting global urban development, and how can young professionals contribute to its solution?’ More than 150 essays were submitted from applicants in 20 countries around the world.
The Challengers will take part in a full programme of events, talks, panels and networking at MIPIM 2024, and following a workshop session hosted by UNESCO ambassador Guila Clara Kessous, they will pitch their ideas to an expert panel of senior leaders in property development and investment.
Nicolas Kozubek, MIPIM director, said: “It has been an incredibly exciting and invigorating process to read so many fantastic entries from the future of our industry on how we can solve the biggest challenges our sector faces. Congratulations to everyone who entered – selecting a final 16 was a real challenge in itself as the standard was so high. We cannot wait to welcome our inaugural cohort to MIPIM 2024 to take part in a full programme of events, talks and debates.
“I’m particularly looking forward to listening and hearing from new and diverse voices. The range of professions and nationalities are a microcosm of real estate’s diversity – from architects to investors to planners through to local government surveyors and neuroscience researchers. Together, in one place at MIPIM, our Challengers now have the platform to inform and drive forward the debate, taking us a step closer to uncovering the solutions that we all must deliver.”
The MIPIM Challengers are:
Mats Bartels, investment manager and podcast maker at Rockfield Real Estate & Vastgoedmarkt
Camille Boutemy, architect at Barthélémy Griño Architectes
Daniel Duncan, architectural assistant at EdenCoast
Nangamso Fortune, property development analyst at Heri Prop Co
James Lenton, investment analyst at Thriving Investments
Jessie Leung, assistant estates surveyor at South Gloucestershire Council
Elijah Lewis, research onsultant at Remit Consulting
Ffion Middleton, planner at Turley
Rachel Munro, senior associate at Shoosmiths LLP
Olasumbo Olaniyi, doctoral scholar and spatial researcher at the University of Plymouth
Alexandre Olivier, consultant capital markets at Knight Frank
Mohammad Ziyaad Huss Oozeer, associate architect at VISIO Architecture
Harry Quinton, managing director at Base Tactical Disaster Recovery
Rania Saddiqe, real estate valuer at Knight Frank
Federica Sanchez, architect and neuroscience researcher at Lombardini22
Lauren Shaw, structural engineer at Symmetrys
