Wales has gone to France this week to showcase its economy and its infrastructure to the world at MIPIM – the biggest property and built environment event in Europe. It is unashamedly more about property than construction, but under pinning all of the deals being discussed is the supply chain that makes the houses, offices, hospitals, roads and bridges countries and their politicians demand.

Just as Boris Johnson is promoting London to would be investors at home and aboard whilst attending MIPIM so are delegates from Welsh Government. Wales, just like any other business or big city, has to fight its corner. But unlike London or Paris, it cannot boast a specific built environment supply chain working collaboratively and putting forward cohesive arguments that back investment in Wales. 

That’s why evidence of our industry’s success is so crucial. Which is why events such as the peer review of the Ysgol Ffwrnes project in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire last week is so important to our ongoing success. We are good at what we do. Let’s hope that the MIPIM delegates in Cannes see through the bluster of Mayor Johnson and buy the real deal from Wales.