Buzz and sunshine: UKREiiF 2025.

Written By Krystian Groom – Director, Head of Business Development

We were out in force at UKREiiF, with colleagues from our Southampton, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Belfast offices congregating in sunny Leeds for what is rapidly becoming the sector’s event of the year. 

The general mood at the conference was one of optimism – real estate and infrastructure remain stubbornly high on the Government’s agenda, and public sector organisations attended with the confidence to openly engage with the private sector to find investment. 

But through it all, there’s awareness of the challenges we collectively need to overcome.  

At our joint panel event with National Grid, we explored how to reach net zero by 2050. The Government’s National Energy Mission Champion, Tom Hayes MP emphasised the Government’s commitment to that target despite the rise of Reform and the regulatory and supply chain challenges. There’s an acceptance of the need to further improve the planning and grid connection processes. 

We also gathered together local authority leaders from across the country to discuss the challenges and opportunities of Local Government Reorganisation. There’s a long road to go down and authorities need more direction (and perhaps intervention) from Government. But if LGR does as it should and culminates in a simpler, more efficient structure that improves services for people and assists those going through the planning process, then it should be supported. 

We hosted a joint session with McDonald’s to showcase their substantial contribution to our neighbourhoods and high streets, leading to a panel discussion with NewRiver, Land Securities and UK Hospitality to have FMCG’s benefits more plainly recognised. 

It wasn’t all work and no play this year! At our session in the Partnership Pavilion hosted jointly with Vistry, the LGA, the CCN and DCN, people spilled out of the packed pavilion and into the sunshine as we celebrated what local government can do and does do, and devolution’s ability to further this. 

2025 was a true showcase of what UKREiiF is all about and the attendance of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on the Monday to launch The Great North alongside multiple regional mayors, before speaking on the conference’s main stage again the following day shows how important the annual event is becoming. 

Thanks to our UKREiiF partners National Grid, McDonald’s, Vistry, the Local Government Association, the County Councils’ Network, the District Councils’ Network, Nottingham Partners and Business South. And we’ll look forward to seeing you there next year!