MOVERS and shakers from Manchester's corporate and civic world are decamping en masse to the French Riviera this week for the annual MIPIM international property market.

Led by the city council's two knights - Sir Howard Bernstein and Sir Richard Leese - other public sector figures in Cannes include Marketing Manchester and inward investment agency MIDAS, while from the private sector many leading professional firms and property giants Peel Holdings (which will tomorrow showcase its 200-acre MediaCity development at Salford Quays) and Bruntwood will be present.

More than 20,000 people from 70 countries will attend what is widely regarded as the world's most influential business fair.

Tom Bloxham and his Urban Splash crew will be there, alongside commercial property companies, advisers, accountants and lawyers from firms such as KPMG, Ernst and Young, Bank of Ireland, Addleshaw Goddard, Hammonds, Eversheds and DWF.

Debutants include Aneel Mussarat's MCR Property and family-owned property business Bluemantle.

Bolton council will be making its MIPIM debut, as part of the Manchester team, taking the opportunity to unveil plans for the new £300m Innovation Zone in the town.

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