Rob Joslin and Oli Coote joined more than 16,000 professionals in Leeds for UKREiiF 2025, the UK’s flagship event for public-private collaboration in real estate, regeneration, and infrastructure. With representation from over 275 local authorities, and thousands of investors and developers, this year’s event was more than a conference, it was a strategic pulse-check on the future of the UK’s built environment.
Across three packed days, the conversations were big and bold. From sustainability and smart cities to inclusive growth and regional investment, it’s clear: the UK’s built environment is at a turning point. Here’s what stood out.
The drive toward net zero was front and centre across UKREiiF’s agenda. Conversations moved well beyond aspirational statements to tangible strategies. Net zero is no longer just a goal, it’s becoming embedded into how we design, build, and manage places.
Key themes included:
Importantly, UKREiiF itself showed commitment in having achieved ISO 20121 Sustainable Event certification and showcased practical sustainability by committing to zero waste to landfill and offsetting UK-based travel emissions. This reflects a wider shift we’re seeing in the market - a demand for talent with real ESG credentials and systems-thinking mindsets. From biodiversity to retrofitting, the need for socially and environmentally aware talent in the built environment has never been more urgent or exciting.
The “Future of Real Estate” theme explored how the industry is evolving in response to shifting user needs, demographic changes, and digital innovation. Discussions ranged from PropTech and AI to placemaking and evolving user needs. Standout insights included:
Traditional real estate operating models must evolve. A pragmatic, tech-informed approach that blends financial acumen with ESG insight and digital literacy will define the next generation of successful asset managers.
We’re working with forward-thinking developers, investors, and operators to recruit leaders who can navigate this shift, those who understand both traditional development principles and the new data-led, sustainability-focused reality of the built environment.
UKREiiF made an industry-leading move by embedding social value and EDI into its structure, not just its stage content. The event delivered over £3 million in measurable social value, setting a benchmark for what the wider sector can and should achieve.
Key takeaways include:
This is a space we care deeply about. Our own recruitment practice is anchored in long-term value creation, and we’re proud to support clients in achieving their diversity and social equity ambitions through inclusive search methodologies.
Inward investment emerged as a defining theme at UKREiiF 2025, with regeneration framed as a live capital strategy rather than a long-term aspiration. From housing delivery and clean energy to creative clusters and innovation campuses, everything came back to location, infrastructure and long-term value creation.
Over £60 billion in active investment is reshaping towns, cities, and entire counties, building the case for UK real estate as both a growth engine and a global investment magnet.
We saw exciting opportunities in:
For us, the breadth of opportunities across the UK reaffirms the growing need for regional talent strategies, helping clients attract leadership and delivery expertise across both metropolitan hubs and underserved areas.
This reflects the continued demand for place-aware leadership: professionals who understand how to deliver at scale, navigate complex funding environments, and bring regeneration to life through local knowledge and long-term relationships. As inward investment grows, the nationwide need for targeted regional talent strategies to match ambition with capability also rises.
The event coincided with the release of worse-than-expected inflation figures, leading to discussions on interest rate decisions and their impact on the industry. Despite these challenges, there was a sense of cautious optimism among attendees, with many highlighting the resilience of the UK real estate market. Notably, Tom Wagner of Knighthead Capital Management presented plans for a £3 billion mixed-use development in Birmingham, emphasising the UK's attractiveness for investment.
Legislation was also at the forefront of conversations, and the implementation of the Building Safety Act was a significant topic of discussion. While the Act aims to enhance safety standards, attendees expressed concerns about the lack of guidance and delays in the approval process, which could hinder housing delivery. Additionally, the introduction of the Procurement Act was discussed, with a focus on embedding social value into procurement processes.
During the opening keynote, the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to growth through infrastructure, housing, and regeneration. She emphasised a “build with purpose” agenda, promising a more streamlined planning process, improved land use policy, and a continued push toward sustainable development. With a promise of 1.5 million homes during the current Parliament, whilst also emphasising the importance of delivering well-designed homes alongside necessary infrastructure, such as schools and GP surgeries, to create strong communities, the government sought to reassure developers and investors of a stable and supportive policy environment moving forward.
Attending UKREiiF 2025 reaffirmed what we’re seeing daily in the market: the built environment is at a turning point. Investors, developers, local governments, and occupiers are united by a desire to deliver impact with intent, and that means putting people, sustainability, and innovation at the core of every decision.
As a specialist talent partner to the property, construction, and infrastructure sectors, we remain focused on supporting that evolution and are proud to partner with clients who are embracing this change. Whether you’re scaling your senior team, or reshaping your recruitment strategy, we’re here to help you build with purpose.
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