Torbay, UK – Alan Denby, Director of Pride in Place at Torbay Council, has announced a groundbreaking deal expected to be worth over £100 million. This monumental agreement comes as a direct result of Torbay Council’s participation in The ‘UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum’ (UKREiiF) annual event held
Following success at both MIPIM and the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) earlier this year, the private sector joined Invest Newcastle at an event in the city to find out more about opportunities for 2023 and discuss how they can be part of a North East delegation.
As she gave the UKREiiF keynote this Thursday (19 May), Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said a Labour government would get the economy firing on all cylinders – and backed the British construction industry to help forge that path towards a stronger economy. Speaking at the Royal Armouries Museum as part
The Belfast region’s world-class cleantech sector and strong talent pool will allow Wrightbus to flourish, the company’s chief executive officer has said. Speaking at UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), Buta Atwal also said Northern Ireland’s unique position in the wake of Brexit makes his and other companies
UKREiiF aims to become one of the most inclusive and sustainable events for the real estate and infrastructure industry when it launches this May in Leeds It has already started measuring social value impact using 20 key metrics covering topics such as wellbeing, environment and diversity, and will use the
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Torbay, UK – Alan Denby, Director of Pride in Place at Torbay Council, has announced a groundbreaking deal expected to be worth over £100 million. This monumental agreement comes as a direct result of Torbay Council’s participation in The ‘UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum’ (UKREiiF) annual event held in Leeds. Denby expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’ve worked with UKREiiF and the team behind it for the first time this year. Being present in Leeds opened doors for us, allowing us to engage in pivotal conversations with investors, developers, and occupiers. These are conversations we wouldn’t have had the chance to partake in without being there in person. We’re on the brink of recommending a preferred value partner to collaborate with us on four key sites, a testament to the opportunities that arise from being in the room when significant investments are being discussed. UKREiiF is an event of paramount importance, and we wholeheartedly endorse participation.” Torbay is currently undergoing a transformative phase, with multi-million-pound projects unfolding across Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham. This surge in investment aims to rejuvenate the towns, bolster the local economy, and enhance infrastructure. The overarching goal is to create thriving spaces for the community and to ensure job and training opportunities for future generations. Torbay Council has been instrumental in this transformation, having devised a strategy based on feedback from residents, businesses, and investors. UKREiiF Director Matt Christie said: “We are thrilled to have played a part in this monumental announcement for Torbay Council. They were an early adopter of UKREiiF and have reaped the rewards of not only attending, but have been a valued partner that fully embraces the opportunities that UKREiiF offers everyone: wall-to-wall networking with thousands of organisations that genuinely want to invest £millions. Bravo, Torbay!” For more information about UKREiiF, visit [UKREiiF Annual Event 2024](https://www.ukreiif.com/event/ukreiif-annual-event-2024/). To learn more about Torbay Council’s regeneration projects, visit [Invest In Torbay](https://investintorbay.com/news/our-projects/regeneration/). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following success at both MIPIM and the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) earlier this year, the private sector joined Invest Newcastle at an event in the city to find out more about opportunities for 2023 and discuss how they can be part of a North East delegation. The delegations are a collaborative effort to attract crucial investment for the region so that it can continue to build a healthy pipeline and expand on the social and economic ambitions of the wider North East. Taking place on 14-17 March in Cannes, France, MIPIM brings together key players and influencers from across the global real estate sector with the goal of creating more sustainable, liveable, and prosperous places for all. Newcastle will join other UK cities and regions including Manchester, Liverpool, London, Cardiff, Belfast, West Midlands, West of England, and Central South UK. Connecting the entire supply chain and offering unrivalled access to worldwide development projects and sources of capital, the North East has the unique opportunity to leverage profile and showcase key investment and development opportunities to a global audience at MIPIM. Following this year’s inaugural UKREiiF in Leeds, Invest Newcastle is also preparing for an even bigger presence in 2023. UKREiiF is a national platform to accelerate the Levelling Up agenda whilst unlocking inclusive and sustainable investment across all sectors of the real estate industry. With a pavilion secured, the team will be able to host a programme of thought leadership events on-stand, showcasing the region’s expertise at a national level. As well as delivering all aspects of the region’s presence at MIPIM and UKREiiF, Invest Newcastle also works closely with partners to help them raise their profile, providing opportunities and support throughout the whole process. Jennifer Hartley, Director of Invest Newcastle, said: “These two conferences are incredibly important for our region. They are an opportunity for us to profile Newcastle and the wider North East and collaborate on a national and global scale. Not only are we able to keep pace with global trends but also showcase the incredibly exciting innovation happening right here on our doorstep, working with our sponsors, thought leaders, other UK cities and government. “It has never been so important to put the region in front of investors, influencers, and decision makers and secure investment for our region. We really are all stronger together and this is about the whole region and our combined ambition. “These events wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners and sponsors who come together to demonstrate how collaborative the region is across public sector, private sector, and academia. I look forward to welcoming more organisations to our delegation in the coming months who will support us to promote our city to the world.” If you are interested in finding out more information on joining the delegation and sponsorship opportunities email invest@ngi.org.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As she gave the UKREiiF keynote this Thursday (19 May), Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said a Labour government would get the economy firing on all cylinders – and backed the British construction industry to help forge that path towards a stronger economy. Speaking at the Royal Armouries Museum as part of the three day conference hosted by the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, she told attendees ranging from investors, developers and occupiers of real estate, how Labour’s plan to grow the economy and bring jobs and prosperity to all parts of the country. And she said the party were committed to support businesses and the industry with the huge challenges facing them from rising inflation and supply chain problems. She said that a partnership between government and business lies at the heart of Labour’s plan for growing the economy, and laid out the party’s key plans to: Buy, make and sell more in Britain Introduce a Climate Investment Pledge to leverage in massive private investment into the economy, boost businesses and create jobs across all parts of the country Create an Industrial Strategy that will help grow the economy and help British industries lead the pack Scrap business rates and replace them with a fairer and more modern form of business property taxation Introduced on the levelling up stage by director of Built Environment Networking Ltd, Phil Laycock, Reeves said that Labour will always be proudly pro-worker and proudly pro-business party. And she noted that “as we rebuild after the pandemic, transition to a low-carbon economy, and meet the challenges and opportunities of the future, businesses large and small will be an essential part of that collective national effort.” Speaking about levelling up, she said “As every one of you will know, a real plan for growth needs to be a plan for growth felt in every part of the country. In too many parts of our country, confidence in the future does not yet match pride in the past. “If we are going to fix that, it will take much more than a cosmetic levelling-up, it will take a real plan for widely-shared prosperity. “For Labour, this means: “First, bold investment to allow us to seize the opportunities of climate transition. “Second, getting serious about industrial strategy – and that is inseparable from a serious regional strategy. “And third, a government providing responsible and open leadership, to create an environment in which business leaders can have confidence and certainty.” Speaking about Labour’s plans for an industrial strategy, Reeves said: “We need a serious industrial strategy fit for the 21st century. “Where the Conservatives scrapped their own Industrial Strategy Council, Labour will create an industrial strategy built on an ethos of cooperation across the public and private sectors, employers and workers. “It will bring local, regional and national leaders together with businesses, trade unions and universities to unlock the brilliance of our leading businesses and entrepreneurs in every part of Britain.” On what Labour would do right now to help businesses facing soaring costs, Reeves said: “We would support energy intensive firms with £600 million of emergency funding to get them through this crisis. “We would cut Business Rates in the short term, providing much-needed relief while overhauling the system in the longer term to make it fit for the 21st Century. “And we have consistently opposed the National Insurance rise. It is a tax on working people and business at exactly the wrong time. “This is a time when working people and the great majority of businesses need a government that is on their side and a Labour government would always strive to be that.” On Labour’s Climate Investment Pledge to supercharge industry, Reeves’ said: “Over the next five years, we are forecast to have a near £800bn investment gap compared to other OECD countries. “I agree with the director of the CBI, Tony Danker, who says this calls for ‘catalytic public investment’. “That is what Labour’s Climate Investment Pledge – £28bn invested each year for the rest of this decade – is about: unlocking the private investment we need to get our economy firing on all cylinders. “Labour will invest in the green industries of the future, working closely with industry – including our construction industry – to build Giga-factories to make batteries for electric vehicles, a thriving hydrogen industry, offshore wind with turbines made in Britain, and flood defences, working closely with, and supporting industry – including our construction industry. “There is a global race on for the jobs of the future, and it calls for active government and business working in partnership.” On Labour providing certainty for British businesses, Reeves said: “It is vital that government provides certainty and transparency in policy decisions so you can know it is safe to invest and plan ahead, without fear of erratic decision-making or policy decided behind closed doors which then falls apart upon contact with the real world. “A Labour government will take a long term view, working with business, in a spirit of cooperation and transparency, to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future.” Building Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction & Property News
The Belfast region’s world-class cleantech sector and strong talent pool will allow Wrightbus to flourish, the company’s chief executive officer has said. Speaking at UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), Buta Atwal also said Northern Ireland’s unique position in the wake of Brexit makes his and other companies in the region ideally positioned to trade across both the UK and EU. Combined with a flourishing cleantech sector, which has the support of partner companies, local government and academia, he said the Belfast region has created an environment which will nurture innovation in the space and help companies like his become world leading. Mr Atwal said: “It is no coincidence that Wrightbus is regarded as a leader in hydrogen bus technology. Since first entering passenger service in 2020, our StreetDeck Hydroliners have clocked up a million miles, preventing 1,700 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere on those bus journeys. “We have been able to lead the field in hydrogen bus technology in large part as a result of our location in Ballymena. It has afforded us access to a world-class cleantech skills base, one which will be further enhanced by the Hydrogen Training Academy planned under the Belfast Region City Deal, and the i4C Innovation & Cleantech Centre. “And, as our orders grow around the world, our unique position here in Northern Ireland, with a foot in both the UK and EU markets, offers us the chance grow exponentially.” Mr Atwal was speaking during the Belfast Region – A £1bn Decade of Opportunity session at the inaugural built environment conference held in Leeds. The session was organised by Renewed Ambition, a partnership focused on positioning Belfast and the wider city region to take advantage of the opportunity to drive residential and commercial real estate investment and support inclusive economic recovery. Also speaking at the event was founder of HemingwayDesign, Wayne Hemingway, who said that the Belfast region has a wealth of untapped regeneration and tourism potential. He underscored the importance of regeneration in creating a region where people want to live, work in and visit, highlighting the Bangor Waterfront project and his vision to make it to Belfast what Brighton is to London. Both Mr Atwal and Mr Hemingway also took part in two respective panel discussions, along with senior leaders from councils within the Belfast region, focusing on the significant potential for the cleantech and innovation sector and for tourism and regeneration. The session also focused on the two major initiatives which will rubber stamp the Belfast region’s potential; the Belfast Agenda with its target of attracting 66,000 people to live and work in the city and 31,600 homes by 2035 – and the £1 billion Belfast Region City Deal, which will deliver innovation and jobs for a new economic era. John Walsh, Chief Executive of Belfast City Council, said: “We have come to UKREiiF with a very clear message: the Belfast region is primed for investment and offers a unique set of opportunities which are unmatched the world over. Through the £1 billion Belfast Region City Deal and the Belfast Agenda, we have set out the pathways for inclusive growth across all areas of our economy and are intent on creating the conditions for businesses to flourish. “As a standalone opportunity, the Belfast region’s offer is impressive. Combined with the support of initiatives, such as the Belfast Region City Deal and other funding opportunities, it offers a compelling investment proposition which has and will draw international attention.” UKREiiF was attended by senior leaders from global investment funds and property companies, UK public sector bodies, government and the third sector. The event focuses on levelling up across the UK and in particular cultivating the development of greener, smarter, healthier places while driving inward investment; how the built environment can play its part in creating net zero UK; and facilitating shared learning across the real estate industry on how to embed social value within the private sector. The Renewed Ambition partnership – including local government, occupiers, developers, the supply chain and more – will deliver a collaborative programme of activity to help ensure strong recovery and growth in Belfast and across the wider region by highlighting its compelling investment proposition globally. It is made up of the councils of Belfast, Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Mid and East Antrim, Newry, Mourne and Down and Lisburn and Castlereagh City. It aims to shape how the future of the city is reimagined and will act together to deliver that ambition in the months and years ahead. Building Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction & Property News
UKREiiF aims to become one of the most inclusive and sustainable events for the real estate and infrastructure industry when it launches this May in Leeds It has already started measuring social value impact using 20 key metrics covering topics such as wellbeing, environment and diversity, and will use the data to make improvements The conference is expected to welcome more than 5,000 delegates, 250 speakers and over 100 exhibitors The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), a major new conference and exhibition taking place in Leeds from 17-19 May, has embarked on an expansive social value campaign aimed at making it one of the most inclusive and sustainable events in the real estate and infrastructure industry. The three-day event, which will welcome over 5,000 delegates, 100 exhibitors, and more than 250 speakers, is centred around connecting people, places and businesses in order to accelerate the levelling up agenda and unlock sustainable, inclusive and transformational investment across the UK. The conference has been structured to provide an unprecedented platform for underrepresented groups as well as smaller organisations and businesses from diverse geographical locations. It has enabled locations such as Cornwall, Blackpool, Fife and Hull to be represented in a similar manner as London, Glasgow, Manchester and Belfast. Built Environment Networking, the organisation behind UKREiiF, is also striking numerous partnerships to further enhance the diversity and inclusiveness of the event. One such partnership is with skills and diversity initiative Regeneration Brainery where a mentoring system is being created to connect industry leading figures to potential graduates. Other partnerships include with STEER which will see students and mentors attend today, Freehold who will host an LGBT+ history tour around Leeds, RE:Women who will host an afternoon Zumba networking class and Women in Property who will run a morning networking event. The event’s environmental sustainability credentials have also been carefully considered. Firstly, the choice of host city has been made with the environment in mind. Leeds is the most central city with appropriate conferencing and exhibition facilities, which therefore minimises both the distance delegates need to travel and their carbon footprints. Moreover, UKREiiF is due to gain its ISO Events Sustainability Accreditation ahead of the event taking place. The organisers are also working with sustainable travel partner LNER, to offer discounts to UKREiiF attendees that travel by train, in addition to Club Peloton encouraging cycling as a route to Leeds whilst also raising money for charity. To ensure these efforts are maximised, UKREiiF is using software specialist Loop in order to measure social value impact across 20 metrics, which includes categories spanning wellbeing, charity, mentoring, training, diversity and sustainability. The information will play a pivotal role in shaping the event, used actively throughout so that improvements and adjustments can be made and impact optimised. The first report is due out within weeks, ahead of the event taking place. Crucially, UKREiiF is taking an iterative approach, with regular reporting meaning that the team will be able make improvements to the event’s social impact indefinitely. Keith Griffiths, Founder of Built Environment Networking, UKREiiF’s organiser, said: “UKREiiF places social value considerations at its core, so it is important that we use social value measurements to ensure it is being applied effectively and extensively. “All forward-thinking organisations are now focused on developing robust environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies. Sometimes, however, the ‘s’ in ESG can play second fiddle to the ‘e’. While UKREiiF can boast very strong environmental credentials, we also want to lead the industry in terms of providing the very best in social impact.” Sustainability is also at the heart of UKREiiF’s awards, which take place on the evening of Tuesday 17th May. The awards feature categories specifically dedicated to celebrating pioneers in the ESG agenda, including Net Zero Hero of the Year, Social Value & Inclusive Growth Creator of the Year and Net Zero Place of the Year. The free to enter awards are now open and submissions should be submitted by March 18th. In addition to showcasing investment opportunities to investors, developers and house builders, UKREiiF’s conference agenda will address key sustainability themes, including the UK’s net zero target, social value and inclusive growth, the future of real estate and building better communities. Griffiths said: “At the heart of the show’s reason for being is improved outcomes for all people. That means promoting social value as well as environmental sustainability in real estate, as well as breaking down barriers and promoting diversity in all its forms in the real estate industry.” Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Joanne Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool City Council, Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, and Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, are among the keynote speakers taking centre stage at the event. The conference will also hear from other leading lights in local government, including Andrew Kerr OBE, Chief Executive of The City of Edinburgh Council, Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive of Belfast City Council, Marvin Rees, the Mayor of Bristol, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, and Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands. They will be joined by Lord Grimstone, Minister for Investment at the Department for International Trade, Baroness Vere, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, John Flint, Chief Executive at UK Infrastructure Bank, and Bridget Rosewell, Commissioner at the National Infrastructure Commission. The agenda is also replete with influential figures from central government and national agencies, including Nick Harris, Chief Executive of National Highways, Dr Janet Young, Chief Property Officer of the UK Government, as well as Gareth Rhys Williams, Government Chief Commercial Officer in the Cabinet Office, and Peter Denton, Chief Executive of Homes England. On the private sector side, meanwhile, speakers include Anna Devlet, Head of Social Sustainability at British Land, Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive Officer at the Harworth Group, Katie Kopec, International Director at JLL, Jennie Coleville, Head of ESG and Sustainability at Landsec, and Jennie Daly, Group Operations Director at Taylor Wimpey. Heads of leading occupiers include Dr
