Cavendish at
UKREiiF 2026
19th – 21st May
Colleagues from across Cavendish’s 12 UK and Ireland offices will be at UKREiiF. We’re hosting some incredible pavilion sessions that you won’t want to miss, spanning property, energy, infrastructure, and FMCG.
Find out more below.
Our UKREiiF activity
McDonald’s Pavilion
We’re supporting our client McDonald’s with their pavilion, hosting a variety of insightful sessions throughout the conference. You can see these split by day below.
Panel Session: Boosting our High Streets
11:00 – 12:00
Join McDonald’s and an expert panel to discuss how the crucial role of hospitality in our high streets. With the sector under huge pressure, the panel will discuss why hospitality is vital and what needs to happen to unlock investment and growth in the sector.
- Chair: Max Camplin, Executive Director, Cavendish
- Mike Spencer, Vice President of Development, McDonald’s
- Kate Nicholls, Chair, UK Hospitality
- Justin Clough, Assistant Director, Corporate Property, Bolton Council
Panel Session: Unlocking the Planning System
13:30 – 14:30
Will the government’s planning reforms make a difference? Join industry experts in the McDonald’s pavilion to debate what has changed and what needs to change to unlock growth and investment in the built environment.
- Chair: Sarah Wardle, Director, Cavendish
- Nick Hemstock, Head of Acquisitions at McDonald’s
- Suzie Yates, Planning Director at Lichfields
- Caroline Musker, Head of Planning at Prologis UK
- Matthew Evans, Partner (Planning) at Forsters
Reception: Investing in the regions with McDonald’s
16:00 – 17:00
Bringing together one of the great cities of the world with one of the world’s great brands. Join us for a McFlurry and to hear from the Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, alongside Mike Spencer of McDonald’s on their plans to drive investment and growth.
- Mike Spencer, Vice President of Development, McDonald’s
- Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region
Panel: Building skills and job opportunities
10:00 – 11:00
Why is the hospitality industry such a vital sector for jobs and skills? Join McDonald’s and a high-profile panel to discuss how the sector can help drive opportunities, particularly for young people, across our towns and cities.
- Chair: Max Camplin, Executive Director, Cavendish
- Kate Honey, Group Social Impact Director at Landsec
- Allen Simpson, CEO, UK Hospitality
- Matt Bratton, Director for North East & Cumbria, CBI
Reception: Landlord and Agents’ Reception
13:30 – 14:30
The reception will bring together key landlords and agents to connect with the McDonald’s property team and hear more about our future investment plans across the UK. It will be a relaxed opportunity to catch up, share insights from the market, and discuss opportunities for growth and collaboration in the year ahead.
- Nick Hemstock, Head of Acquisitions, McDonald’s
Visit the McDonald’s Pavilion throughout the day for refreshments and to chat with the team.
Our other conference activity
A national growth region hiding in plain sight
Hosted with Business South
Location: SCAPE Public Sector Stage
When: 19th May, 11:00 – 12:00
This panel explores how clusters, collaboration and confidence can put the Central South on the same stage as the UK’s major city regions. When seen as one economic area, the Central South matches the scale, diversity, and opportunity of the UK’s major city regions.
Speakers:
- Chair: Laura Wyatt, Director, Cavendish
- Cllr Paul Harvey, Leader, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
- Brian Johnson, Chair, Solent Freeport
- John McConnell, Real Estate Director, AGS Airports
- Chris Fry, CEO, Kingsbridge Estates
Delivering homes that sustain rural communities
Hosted with Stonewater
Location: Dockside Pavillion
When: 19th May, 12:00 -13:00
Rural communities are under increasing pressure – from rising demand for affordable housing and ageing populations to shrinking workforces and declining local services. Providing the right homes is critical to sustaining these places – enabling people to live, work, and contribute to thriving local economies. This session will explore the practical and policy barriers shaping delivery.
Speakers:
- Chair: Sarah Wardle, Director, Cavendish
- Jonathan Layzell, CEO, Stonewater
- Rob Boughton, Founder and CEO, Thakeham
Wednesday Wind down
Hosted with the LGA, Local Councils Network, County Councils Network, and Vistry
Location: Partnership Pavilion – Vistry – SNG – Nationwide Foundation
When: 20th May, 16:30 – 18:30
Join Cavendish, the LGA, Local Councils Network, the County Councils Network, Vistry, SNG and the Nationwide Foundation for a Wednesday winddown. From 16:30-17:15, the LGA will be hosting a short interview to explore how local government could evolve over the next 15 years. Drinks and canapes will then be served from 17:15-18:30.
Speaker:
- Cllr Louise Gittins, LGA Chair and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council
- Mayor Andy Burnhan
Clients and partners we’re working with across UKREiiF
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Let us know you’re attending and we’ll be in contact:
Strategic communications advisory.
Our 185 staff across 12 UK & Ireland offices help organisations build and protect value by navigating political, regulatory and societal pressure.
Government relations
We help organisations understand and navigate the forces impacting politics and policy across the four nations. We interpret what they mean for strategy, risk and decision-making and help to shape the conditions in which decisions are made and delivered.
Planning communications
We deliver grassroots to Government advice and impactful community engagement to achieve development ambitions and shape spatial approach.
Corporate communications
We deploy our knowledge of the digital landscape and trade, regional and national media to manage reputational risk and deploy your messages to the right stakeholders.
Branding, digital and design
We combine brand strategy, digital, design, and video to create content that works harder. Every asset is built to sharpen your story and deliver meaningful strategic impact.
