The I’s have it – infrastructure and investment at UKREiiF

I can only speculate what the motivation was behind those that set up the inaugural UKREiiF in 2022. Perhaps it was seen as the British answer to MIPIM – a staple of the property calendar held in the glamorous surroundings of Cannes. You would have got good odds on the weather in Leeds being better than the South of France (!), and yet that’s exactly what happened this year. 

What struck me in the Leeds sunshine was how UKREiiF differed from any other conferences that SEC Newgate attend. Party conferences in the autumn have the glut of MPs, ministers (or shadow ministers), mayors, council leaders and various people thrusting A5 leaflets at you; the local government conference has councillors and council chief executives; sector specific conferences have private firms showing off their services. UKREiiF had all of these, plus investors from many different countries all in one place, as well as civil servants from many different government departments. It was also the first real opportunity for the business community to hear from recently elected Reform UK mayors, such as Greater Lincolnshire mayor, Andrea Jenkyns. 

Panels and pavilions

The helpful site map had various areas in and around the Royal Armouries Museum labelled like some sort of colourful Crystal Maze. Instead of Aztec or Industrial, however, there were the Midlands Engine Pavilion or the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. While these pavilions acted as bases for meetings or panel sessions, or holding drinks receptions, they were also venues for a variety of panel sessions; two of the most interesting on my programme were ‘The politics of infrastructure projects – why do they take so long?’ and ‘Great British Energy: creating a clean energy superpower’. For SEC Newgate clients, these panel sessions are a source of information and give opportunities to ask questions – but more importantly offer the chance to connect with the panellists afterwards. 

It pays to be organised at UKREiiF. I could have filled my diary many times over with events from dawn till dusk. But having that focus beforehand and being highly selective with which panels you attend pays off in terms of making those key connections. 

The I’s have it

As mentioned, some may think of UKREiiF as just a British MIPIM. To me, it seems like it has become more all-encompassing than that. The tone was set for this on day one with a panel session on the main stage entitled ‘Prosperity through infrastructure investment’, featuring Mike Reader MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure (APPGI). Mr. Reader popped up again at a breakfast roundtable on day two called ‘Unlocking institutional and private investment for UK infrastructure’. 

There were also panels about the importance of investment in rail and its role in helping unlock new housing and economic growth – and many subjects that fit snugly into the government’s growth agenda. The discussions stretched to renewable energy infrastructure too, and how the newly created Great British Energy can help support this. 

Since its inception three years ago, UKREiiF has ballooned, hosting over 15,000 delegates this year. In years to come, there may be articles written about how it has passed its peak; but while UK regions are continuing to plan and make major announcements there its popularity will endure. 

What I expect to happen is that UKREiiF will continue its focus on investment in infrastructure; and if I’m fortunate enough to return to Leeds in 12 months’ time to check on my prediction – I’d be fascinated to see if the I’s (infrastructure and investment) still have it.