Meet the riders: Laurence Rogers, Wedlake Bell

Laurence Rogers is a partner at London based international law firm, Wedlake Bell, working in its Banking team.  This will be his fifth Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM.  He tells us about what he's looking forward to, how he's preparing for this year's ride and why two of the charities particularly resonate with him.

Tell us about yourself and what you’re working on right now:

At the moment I'm working on a lot of borrowing based facilities, large multi-jurisdiction syndications and plenty of borrower side hotel and residential work. 

How did you get involved in Cycle to MIPIM?

I first signed up for the 2020 ride, which was then cancelled due to Covid. My actual first ride was in 2022 and I’ve been on every ride since. I was originally asked back in 2014 and said I’d do it — it just took me a while to actually commit and now I wish I’d done it sooner.

How long have you been cycling and how did you get into it?

I started cycling in 2018 when my then personal trainer signed me up — without telling me — to a charity ride to Amsterdam for a local children’s hospice. I did the ride and was hooked – I've commuted by bike ever since.

What have you most enjoyed about riding Cycle to MIPIM previously?

Being able to eat as many calories as I like knowing I’ll burn them off… although on my first ride I somehow managed to put on a kilo. On a more serious note, the friendships you form while struggling through the hard bits together are what really make the ride. When I lost my Dad late last year, it was amazing how much support I got from people with whom I had done the ride before.

What are you most looking forward to?

Reaching the finish line — especially after a big crash last year that meant I couldn’t ride the last two days. I’m looking forward to completing the full journey again.

What are you dreading?

Meg, our ride director, shouting “Five minutes until the next stage!” when it feels like you’ve only just arrived at the rest stop.

How are you approaching training?

Time in the saddle is everything. Alongside my daily bike commute, I’m adding longer weekend rides — although the relentless rain this year isn’t making it easy.

Any top tips for new riders?

If you’ve got back‑to‑back legs, plan your stop in your head before you get there and prioritise what you need to do. You’ll never have time for everything, so knowing your top two or three jobs makes all the difference.

What would you most like to get out of the event?

Catching up with the previous riders I've met on the ride and the feeling of achievement you get when you cross the finish line.

What does the fundraising mean to you?

I've survived cancer twice and have a daughter who is currently receiving chemotherapy for bowel cancer so the incredible work Cyclists Fighting Cancer does is particularly important to me. My wife was adopted at birth so Coram also has a special place in my heart. 

What changes does your business expect to see over the next year?

So much depends on broader economic growth. Provided nothing major shifts with the next mini‑budget, the markets feel steady if unremarkable in real estate finance. I'd take more of the same but hope for better!

You can sponsor Laurence here.