Prescott, Bernstein and Ashworth line up for IFB2016

LORD John Prescott, Sir Howard Bernstein, and Lindsey Ashworth of Peel Holdings are among the leaders set to gather in Liverpool this summer to take part in the International Property Forum.

Amongst those attending the conference, which is being held as part of the International Festival for Business 2016,  will be a major delegation of senior business figures from Chengdu, China, seeking property investment and collaboration opportunities.

Hosted at the festival’s central performance area in the new Exhibition Centre on Liverpool’s  waterfront, the International Property Forum runs over June 21 and June 22 and is the only property event being held during IFB2016.

The conference will discuss key issues driving the UK property debate, highlighting ‘shovel ready’ projects as well as UKTI RIO sponsored projects that are on site for investment across the UK.

It is being hosted by UK Property Forums in partnership with the UKTI RIO (Regeneration Investment Organisation), BPF (British Property Federation), EG (Estates Gazette), The CBI (Confederation of British Industries), Liverpool Vision, Land Aid, Connect to China, and MIPIM UK.  

Speakers will include Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation; Andrew MacMillan, regulation economics and strategy director at Heathrow Airport; Chris Taylor, chief executive of Hermes Real Estate; and Councillor Jack Brereton, cabinet member for regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Debates will also form a key part of the event programme – among these, the ‘City Leaders Debate’ will feature discussions between  Jed Fitzgerald, chief executive of Liverpool City Council; Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council; Pat Ritchie, chief executive of Newcastle City Council; and Sir Howard Bernstein chief executive, Manchester City Council.

Matthew Battle, chief executive of UK Property Forums, said: “We’re particularly pleased to be welcoming a high-profile delegation of senior investors from the Chinese city of Chengdu, who will be providing a not-to-missed overview of the region and the investment opportunities available to UK businesses.

“Our conference programme will provide fresh, stimulating and thought-provoking content from specialists across the public and private sector, all against the vibrant backdrop of the world’s biggest business festival.”

Ian Pollitt, assistant project director at Liverpool Waters, Peel Holdings, said: “This is one of the most impressive property industry events ever convened in the UK with a heavyweight line-up of industry experts, politicians and international organisations and which gathers at a crucial time for the sector.

“Prioritising future major infrastructure projects in the UK, public-private partnerships, investment in the Northern Powerhouse, the EU Referendum are among the many hot topics of the day all of which will impact on the sector.

“For this level of debate to be taking place here in Liverpool with its continuing excellence in regeneration suggests to me, not only how far we have come as a city, but also how vital it is for Peel, with our massive Liverpool Waters and Liverpool 2 projects, to be part of the conversation.”

For more information on the International Property Forum, or to register, visit: www.ukpropertyforums.com/ifb-2016