Reflections from UKREiiF 2025: People, places, and planning

‘Dubbed as the ‘Glastonbury of the built environment’ the UK Real Estate and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) hosted 16,000 delegates in Leeds last week – including KOR’s Senior Public Affairs Consultant, Grace Gladding. 

With representatives from the real estate and built environment community, national and local government, private investors and legal professionals, there was enormous opportunity for the public and development sectors to debate current issues. 

Grace shares her reflections on three days of informative talks, meaningful conversations, and insightful panel discussions. 

Minister messages

In contrast to last year's UKREiiF - which coincided with the then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling the 2024 General Election - this year's conference was without any seismic political announcements.  

Key ministerial figures were present, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who’s keynote address rallied investors and industry to “build, build, build”, as well as Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook and Devolution Minister Jim McMahon. 

An update on the New Towns Task Force by the independent expert panel’s Chair, Sir Michael Lyons, was also welcomed.

Engage early

From panel discussions and keynote addresses to fringe events and depths of conversation, the message was clear ‘early engagement is more important than ever’. 

Saul Collyns, Senior Social Impact Lead at British Land, raised an important point about engagement, explaining that nobody should be hard to reach and that developers can position themselves better by bringing engagement to people – and not expecting them to come to you. 

Partnerships

The importance of collaboration and partnerships, especially for multi-town regeneration, were in focus, as was taking a holistic approach to better understand and overcome development challenges. 

While many delegates questioned whether the government’s ambitious target of 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament can be delivered, there was no question about the industry’s aspiration to get Britain building. 

Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, highlighted that planning is not the only critical hurdle in the success of development, and that a holistic approach will help to better position development viability. 

If you did not get the chance to speak to Grace while at UKREiiF, would like to continue the conversation, or would like to discuss how KOR can support you in navigating the evolving political landscape as you bring forward a project, do get in touch.