Yorkshire is set to have a huge presence at a major UK forum that is focused on connecting investors and developers with sustainable and inclusive regeneration opportunities.
Over 12,000 domestic and international investors, developers, and built environment thought leaders will head to Leeds in May for The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, and the Yorkshire region will build on its already impressive presence at the event, with new regions set to be involved as they look to entice investment into the region to create jobs and prosperity.
The biggest presence will be from West Yorkshire Combined Authority who have their own dedicated Pavilion, whilst others including Hull City Council, Sheffield City Council, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, and York & North Yorkshire LEP have all secured a position to promote their region to investors and developers.
In addition to looking to showcase and attract developers, investors, and job creators to the region, they’ll also take to numerous stages to highlight the opportunities while discussing pressing subjects such as social and affordable housing, sustainable infrastructure, the net zero agenda, and skills.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council said:
“UKREiiF represents a significant platform for highlighting the city Leeds and our dedication to fostering innovation, inclusive growthand resilience. It demonstrates the art of the possible when private and public sector come together, working in tandem with industry leaders and fellow innovators, to drive positive change with a more diverse delegation.
“Hosting the largest real estate conference of its kind in the UK is a testament to the growing reputation of Leeds and West Yorkshire allowing us to showcase our region’s vibrant economy, our regeneration market, and development opportunities; together with our ambitions for a healthier, greener and inclusive future for the city.
“We’ve been blown away by the positive feedback about the city from the many thousands of delegates we have welcomed each year, and we look forward to extending a warm Yorkshire welcome to many more, as UKREiiF continues to go from strength to strength. People knew about us, and the success of the last few years, but they really know our story now and we are delighted to showcase this work, our changing city and the ambitions we have for the future.”
Event Background: Launched in 2022, the event is held over three days and brings together the public and private sectors, with all of the UK’s cities and regions represented alongside the UK Government and numerous governmental departments. Over 700 speakers will be involved across 30 stages, including:
Dame Linda Pollard, Chair at The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Tom Riordan, Chief Executive at Leeds City Council, Kate Josephs CB, Chief Executive at Sheffield City Council, Angela Barnicle, Chief Officer for Asset Management and Regeneration at Leeds City Council, Nicola Shaw CBE, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Water, Oliver Coppard, Mayor at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Vincent Hodder, Chief Executive Officer at Leeds Bradford Airport, Joanne Neville, Regional Head of Planning (Yorkshire & Central) at Harworth Group, Tracy Brabin, Mayor at West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and Garry Taylor, Assistant Director of Major Projects, Culture and Place at Hull City Council.
The event covers many topics in addition to Yorkshire’s own presence through bespoke and dedicated content the region is planning to put on. From the high street, social value, and social housing to industrial development, life sciences, energy, and healthcare estates, the event looks to showcase national and international best practice across all sectors.
Having grown from 3,500 attendees in 2022 to 7,500 in 2023, the event in 2024 is set to attract over 12,000 to Leeds. In addition to 12,000 attendees, the event is set to attract a further 3,000 people to the city to enjoy the fringe events across the city, with £20m set to be generated for the local Leeds community.
Facilitation and Investment: The event has already been lauded across the UK by many cities and regions, with Torbay Council recently confirming a major £100m investment into the seaside destination, which is set to create jobs, homes, and revitalise the leisure offering in the region, in addition to several other schemes totalling over £500m of investment known to be in the pipeline following direct facilitation and introductions at the event.
The region’s involvement includes a dedicated facilitation session where sustainability and socially aware investors and developers who’re known for their community-first approach will be introduced to those councils in attendance from the Yorkshire region to explore how they can work together across all aspects of the built environment.
High Praise: Yorkshire’s enhanced involvement comes following its sudden emergence as Europe’s fastest-growing real estate and built environment event.
President of international investors Amro Partners said:
“UKREiiF tells me that the UK is open to business, and as an investor, that is a fantastic message. The event brings together Government ministers and officials, people from Whitehall, local authorities, investors, and developers – it’s a phenomenal representation of the real estate sector.”
Alan Denby, Director of Pride in Place at Torbay Council added:
“Being at UKREiiF has enabled Torbay to have discussions with investors, developers, and occupiers, and from these discussions we’ve announced the preferred development partner to work with us on four key development sites worth over £100m to the local community, and that investment is a direct result of being involved in UKREiiF.”
Alastair Campbell, Former Director of Communications for No. 10 Downing Street said:
“UKREiiF brings together all the different parts of the equation that are needed to regenerate regions and the economy successfully. And it’s changing people’s views of the industry world.
UKREiiF: The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum is the UK’s leading event for inward investment into the regeneration and development sectors, focused on bringing transformational, inclusive, and sustainable growth to UK cities and regions that is beneficial to local communities. To find out more, please visit www.ukreiif.com
