Mayor of West Yorkshire welcomes major real estate and infrastructure forum to Leeds

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire welcomes UKREiiF to Leeds, as over 4,000 people are expected to attend

Running 17-19 May at the Royal Armouries Leeds and Leeds Dock, UKREiiF (UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) is the first annual event of its kind in the UK.  

It brings together developers, investors, occupiers and end users, as well as national and regional government, Local Authorities, and experts from across the property development landscape to unlock sustainable, inclusive and transformational investment across the UK. 

Hosting the event is a major accolade for Leeds and West Yorkshire, with the Mayor set to deliver the event’s opening keynote address to delegates.  

In it, she will outline the region’s strengths as a diverse, Innovative, knowledge-based economy with strengths in advanced manufacturing and engineering, health and lifesciences, financial and professional services, and digital and creative.  

She will call on the property and construction sector to work closely with regional government and the public sector to consider the social value of developments, in order to support communities and help build a recovery that works for everyone.  

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “It is a tremendous accolade for Leeds and West Yorkshire to be hosting the first UKREiiF. I look forward to welcoming the 4,000-plus expected delegates to this amazing city and region that I am so proud to represent.  

“UKREiiF promises to be three days of insightful discussion, analysis, and networking, bringing together the key players, influencers and decision makers from across the industry, national, regional and local government.  

“Having just marked the milestone of my first year as Mayor of West Yorkshire, I am keen to work with the real estate and infrastructure sector to deliver on the pledges I made to the people of West Yorkshire.  

“Securing long term investment in our region is one of the most powerful ways we can make sure our towns, cities and regions are strong and thriving places to live and work.” 

Keith Griffiths, Chief Executive of UKREiiF organiser Built Environment Networking, said: “The response to hosting a major property, real estate and investment event in Leeds is one that has been met with absolute enthusiasm from everyone we have spoken to, and its location is one of the reasons for its success. 

“From the central location to the UK and the excellent links to all types of transport, to the every-changing skyline and innovative approaches to regeneration – the region is leading the way, and the superb New Dock area of Leeds is a location like no other. 

“These, alongside the exceptional event programme and hard work behind the scenes, will see industry professionals from investors, developers, local authorities and end-users attending the event across the city – from the main UKREiiF forum to a plethora of fringe activities taking place across the region.

“And not only will this drive economic growth across the city through huge spend on hospitality and business, but it is going to place Leeds on the map for domestic and global investors looking for new opportunities.”

During the event, the Mayor of West Yorkshire will also deliver high-profile keynote speeches on the climate emergency and innovation, as well as hosting an event focused on women in business, with some of the region’s female business leaders. 

She will tell delegates that West Yorkshire has made progress in tackling the climate emergency over the past 12 months, with steps including the £40 million West Yorkshire Climate and Environment Plan, and that reaching Net Zero goals will provide skilled jobs for the region.  

Delegates will also hear about the role innovation plays in the future prosperity of the region, West Yorkshire’s strengths in digital, FinTech, health and lifesciences, advanced manufacturing and engineering, and the creative and cultural sector, and how innovation in these areas will help the region’s economic growth and recovery.  

The Mayor will also participate in a panel discussion on levelling up and inclusive growth with the Mayors of Greater Manchester, North of Tyne, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and a representative of the Mayor of London. 

Over the course of three days, delegates at UKREiiF will also have the opportunity to attend panel sessions and hear keynote speeches covering a diverse range of subjects, including:  

• How the UK is working to meet its Net Zero Targets and how sustainable development can improve environmental, social and economic outcomes
• How we can design and build greener, smarter, healthier places that are a benefit to the communities they serve and 
• Steps the real estate and infrastructure industry is taking to be more inclusive, diverse, to fully represent the breadth of talent the UK has to offer