Region gears up to exploit opportunities at major annual regeneration conference
The North West will be extensively represented at this year’s UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum being held in Leeds this May.
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.
More than 700 speakers will be involved across 30 stages, including Cllr Liam Robinson, the Leader of Liverpool City Council, Michelle Humphreys, the Director of Strategic Projects at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Rachel Eyre, the Head of Inward Investment for Advanced Manufacturing and Low Carbon at MIDAS, Rob Green, the Head of Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone at Blackpool Council, Jane Meek, the Assistant Director for Thriving Place and Investment at Cumberland Council, and Mayor Paul Dennett of Salford City Council.
More than 12,000 domestic and international investors, developers, and built environment thought leaders are expected to attend.
The biggest presence will be from Marketing Manchester and the Liverpool Place Partnership, representing the city regions and combined authorities, both securing prime space at the event to meet developers and investors.
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.
Victoria Braddock, Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, said: “We’re excited to be attending UKREiiF 2024 this year alongside Opportunity London. UKREiiF is a fantastic opportunity for the Manchester delegation to meet potential partners and investors within the international real estate and capital investment market.
“Collaborating with Opportunity shows that two of the UK’s most influential regions can work together to build a stronger future and strengthens Greater Manchester’s status as a leading global city region.”
She added: “Having launched a year-round place promotion approach under The Manchester Invest Partnership earlier this year, UKREiiF has become a highlight of Greater Manchester’s real estate and capital investment calendar. Over the last two years, it has provided an unrivalled opportunity for our public and private sector partners to talk to investors, participate in discussions, facilitate lasting relationships, and discuss key projects that will be critical to the future of our region.
“We look forward to seeing what UKREiiF 2024 has in store.”
Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Levelling Up (Place) at Blackpool Council, said: “Blackpool is quickly becoming one of the most investible towns in the UK, with a huge number of major regeneration projects under way.
“As a council, we have led the way in the first phases of the town’s regeneration, but we also need private sector support to take on future stages and create more quality commercial and residential developments.”
He added: “Exhibiting at UKREiiF for the third successive year allows us to tell Blackpool’s regeneration story to leading investors and property groups, who, in turn, can help us deliver our plans to make Blackpool better for everybody who lives and works here.”
