MIPIM Middle East 2026

Simon is Vice President of Research and Advisory Services at the Urban Land Institute. He is an experienced consultant with over 15 years working in the research and consultancy industry and is passionate about tackling the major challenges facing cities across the globe today. An Urban Economist with an MSc in Urban Economic Development, Simon has extensive experience as a project manager presenting to senior policy makers and business executives in the field of economic development and urbanisation.

Doris Birkhofer, a committed Franco German and European business leader, has been President of Siemens France since October 1, 2021, and Managing Director of Siemens Smart Infrastructure France. The geographical scope of both her roles also includes BeLux and the Maghreb. After graduating from ESB Business School in Reutlingen and NEOMA Business School in Reims, she has built her career in technology companies in Germany, the United States, and then in France, where she has lived since 2009. She has held key operational and strategic roles — including executive positions — at Saint Gobain, Alcoa/Arconic, and Siemens, and has consistently advocated for industrial and infrastructure competitiveness through technological innovation, digitalization, and the energy transition. Committed to strengthening Franco-German economic ties, she has been a member of the Supervisory Board of the Franco German bank Oddo BHF (since 2017), President of the Franco German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2025), and a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of DEKRA e.V (2024). Convinced that diversity is a source of strength and a performance driver, Doris Birkhofer has long been involved in promoting diversity in scientific and industrial professions. She chairs the Siemens France Foundation, is active in the board of Femmes@Numérique (2025) and supports associations such as Elles Bougent and Femmes Ingénieurs. She is also a member of the Strategic Council of Paris Université Cité (2025) and joined the Board of Directors of NEOMA Business School as an independent board member (2025). Doris Birkhofer is a Knight of the French Legion of Honour.

Since 2022, Associate Partner / Senior Expert in McKinsey, co-leading across Europe development on Energy Services and Data centers. Prior 15 years in Schneider Electric, as head of the Data center solutions business for France / Benelux and then GM of Energy and Sustainability services in EMEA, which included Energy Efficiency.

Brett Ormrod is Head of Sustainability for Europe at LaSalle, where he is responsible for leading sustainability and climate risk initiatives across all asset classes and investment products in the region. Building on his previous position as the firm’s Net Zero Carbon Lead, he continues to oversee the development and delivery of asset-level NZC pathways, collaborating closely with Portfolio Management, Transactions and Asset Management to embed sustainability throughout the investment lifecycle. Prior to joining LaSalle, Brett was a Sustainability Manager within Lendlease’s Urban Regeneration team, where he was responsible for developing strategies for projects and business units to achieve the company’s ambitious sustainability targets. He also spent nine years at the renowned architectural firm, Foster + Partners, embedding sustainable design into projects for clients such as Apple and Bloomberg. Brett is Chartered Engineer through the Chartered Institute for Building Service Engineers (CIBSE). He graduated from the University of Cape Town with Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and holds a Masters in Philosophy in Sustainable Engineering from the University of Cambridge.

Mark Lee joined Australian Retirement Trust in 2012 (previously Sunsuper) and is the Senior Portfolio Manager – Head of Real Estate. In addition to leading the real estate team, key responsibilities include portfolio construction, investment research, manager selection, execution and management of global investments in direct real estate, coinvestments, joint ventures and funds in both traditional and alternative real estate sectors such as holiday parks, self-storage, for-rent residential and data centres. Prior to this role, Mark worked in commercial and project finance in both WestLB and Commonwealth Bank. Mark holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Actuarial and Finance) from the University of New South Wales, is a CFA charterholder and is a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Richard Varkey is Managing Director, Head of Real Estate, and is responsible for IMCO's real estate asset class. He leads a team that invests domestically and globally in direct real estate holdings and fund investment structures with a focus on delivering exceptional risk adjusted income and capital returns for IMCO's clients. He oversees IMCO's key real estate operator/partner relationships while managing a diversified real estate strategy that includes portfolio and asset management, value-add initiatives and key disposition strategies. Richard joined IMCO in 2019 as Senior Principal, Real Estate. Previously, he spent more than 15 years at Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), most recently as Senior Portfolio Manager. He helped to develop and grow HOOPP's real estate investment program, which reached $15 billion and delivered significant outperformance over a 15-year period. Richard established HOOPP's US real estate investment strategy, which included direct and fund investments, as well as a Canadian multi-residential strategy. Richard holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Urban Development from The University of Western Ontario. He has previously held investment advisory board positions for Canadian and US real estate companies, and board positions for various non-profit organizations.

Tracy Stroh is Region Head of Real Estate (RE), Europe at GIC. In this role, Tracy is responsible for GIC RE’s real estate equity and debt investment activities. She is a voting member of GIC RE’s Global Investment Committee and is an active member of GIC’s Sustainability Committee and Women in GIC Taskforce. Tracy joined GIC Real Estate in 2001 at the San Francisco office. She has since held the positions of Global Head of Research and Strategic Planning (RSP) and Co-Head, Asia Ex China Investment Group. While serving as Global Head, RSP, her remit ranged from property research to management of the design, composition, and risk framework for the global real estate portfolio. As Co-Head of Asia Ex China, she oversaw pan-Asian investment strategies covering all sectors of direct property, private and public companies, real estate funds, and debt instruments. Prior to joining GIC, she was an analyst for Catellus Development Corporation, where she focused on industrial, mixed-use, and land development. Tracy holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Irvine.

Ben is a partner in London, focused on European real estate in the Private Equity & Principal Investors Practice. He is an expert in advanced analytics and innovation, serving companies on the opportunities created by digital disruption. He holds considerable experience across the property lifecycle, from investment through to development, asset management, leasing, marketing, and disposal. Prior to McKinsey, Ben spent almost a decade at one of Europe’s leading real estate investment trusts. As head of business development, he led a diverse range of teams and ran major change initiatives spanning insight, technology, commercialization, organization, and operations. As a strategy executive, Ben gained experience in both setting and implementing strategy, ranging from strategic planning processes to competitor analysis, new market entry, portfolio allocation, financing, and M&A. Outside of work, Ben is involved in several charitable initiatives, promoting education and social mobility. He is a trustee of The Step Up, which serves to inspire and empower child refugees in Africa. Ben holds an MBA with distinction from London Business School and an MA in economics and management from University of Oxford.

Jan Plückhahn holds a degree in architecture and holds a Master of Science in RealEstate Management (REM) from the Technical University of Berlin. He has worked in various areas and positions at BEOS AG since 2003, including as Head of the Hamburg office between 2010 and 2015. From 2016, he was a member of the Executive Board of BEOS AG, where his responsibilities included Transactions, Portfolio Management, Finance and Capital Markets. From 2023 to 2025, he was Head Real Estate at Swiss Life Asset Managers in Germany and a member of the German Executive Board, and from 2016 to 2025, he was a member of the Executive Board of BEOS AG. He is also a lecturer at the IREBS Real Estate Academy. Jan Plückhahn has been Head Real Estate at Swiss Life Asset Managers since July 2025, and in this position a member of the Executive Board of Swiss Life Asset Managers.

Ingénieur INSA LYON, Directeur Général Délégué de SOGEPROM, -Membre du bureau de la Fédération des Promoteurs Immobiliers Ile de France, -Membre du Conseil d’Administration de l’AFDU (Association Française de Développement Urbain), Président d’un groupe de travail sur le logement abordable -Membre du Conseil d’Administration de l’association AMO, -Membre de l’association les Acteurs du Grand Paris, De 1985 à 1987, ingénieur travaux, CG DORIS Cie para-pétrolière, Le Caire, Egypte De 1987 à 2000, BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION – Bouygues Bâtiment Ile de France De 2000 à 2019, LINKCITY, filiale de développement immobilier de BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION, Directeur Général Délégué Ile de France, en charge de la direction des Projets Urbains et de l’activité Résidentielle, A partir de 2019, Directeur Général Délégué de SOGEPROM, Filiale immobilière de SOCIETE GENERALE, en charge de l’ensemble de l’activité résidentielle et tertiaire en Ile de France et des projets urbains en Région.

Jean-François BENON General Manager of the CEEVO, the Val d’Oise Attractiveness and Development Agency Master in public law from Paris II-Assas University, Jean-François Benon is General Manager of the CEEVO, the Val d’Oise Attractiveness and Development Agency, which is financed by the Val d’Oise County Council and its Communities of Communes and Urban Communities of the Val-d’Oise. He animates a pluri-disciplinary team in charge of the economic development of this strategic territory in the Île-de-France Region. The offices are located in Cergy Pontoise as well as in the Roissy – Charles de Gaulle airport, but also in Asia, in Osaka (Japan) since 1999, and in Shanghai (China) since 2005. Jean-François Benon is foreign trade advisor for France. He teaches and moderates seminars in the fields of economic development and international business at university. He also teaches on the topics the development of business in the Japanese and Chinese markets and moderates seminars in fields linked to the development of the territory, the economic development and international business.

Francesco Travagli possède plus de 15 ans d’expérience en innovation, entrepreneuriat et management, avec une expertise reconnue en conseil stratégique et en gestion de projets d’envergure. Il dirige actuellement le département Promotion et Facilitation des Investissements Directs Étrangers chez Choose Paris Region, où il accompagne chaque année plus de 400 projets d’investissement internationaux, représentant plus de 9 000 emplois créés et plus d’un milliard d’euros d’impact économique annuel pour la région. Auparavant, il a travaillé comme consultant en innovation, accompagnant de grandes organisations telles que Ubisoft, Natixis, Air France, Renault, Norauto, EDF et la Commission européenne, et contribuant à la création de plus de 75 startups technologiques. Entrepreneur, il a également fondé trois startups rentables dans les domaines du machine learning, de l’éducation et des biens de consommation, dont l’une a connu une sortie réussie. Francesco Travagli est diplômé de l’Université Bocconi de Milan en Marketing Management et titulaire d’un double diplôme en création de nouveaux marchés de la Copenhagen Business School.

During a 25-year career in urban regeneration, destination development and campaigning in the UK and Australia, Jace has led successful industry and precinct partnerships and holds the world record for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). His recent tenures include CEO of New West End Company (London’s West End), setting up Australia’s first BID across Sydney’s Western Harbour and incoming CEO for Opportunity London, the public/private partnership seeking to secure the next £100bn for London. Jace has represented thousands of businesses and employees, secured millions in funding and successfully advocated for billions into capital investment. His entire career has been spent in building meaningful collaborations and driving value across cities with businesses, working with Government at all levels and cultivating local communities. Jace is passionate about sustainable and innovative cities, commercial real estate, and the retail & leisure sectors. He thrives in leading award-winning teams and working with purpose driven businesses. He is an Alumnus of the London Business School and Griffith University, Australia

As Political Leader of the City of London Corporation, the Policy Chairman acts as a principal spokesperson and advocate for London as a global financial and professional services capital. Financial and professional services drive the UK economy, generating over £85bn in economic output annually, contributing 12% in total tax revenue to the UK government. As Policy Chairman, Chris steers the development and delivery of the City Corporation’s priorities through the work of the Policy and Resources Committee which oversees the provision of local government services for our 8,600 residents and over 600,000 workers based in the Square Mile. Beyond our remit for financial and professional services, the City Corporation is the UK’s fourth biggest funder of culture, is the primary sponsor of the renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama, is principal supporter of the Barbican Centre, Europe’s largest cultural space, and is leading the £397 million redevelopment of the London Museum. In a career spanning more than four decades, Chris has founded, led, and expanded companies across the UK and globally in a range of industries – including aviation, publishing, B2B business development and construction. He has balanced his professional responsibilities with a commitment to public service, engaging in British politics at both the local and national level since early adulthood. He is a former Deputy Leader of Hertfordshire and Dorset County Councils and was first elected to Common Council of the City of London Corporation in March 2013. He has previously served as Chairman of the City Corporation’s Planning & Transportation Committee and as Sheriff of the City of London from 2019 – 2021. He continues to serve as a Non-Executive Director working with companies focused on property, infrastructure, civil-engineering, and planning.

Jake is the UK and Ireland Director of MIPIM.