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On May 20th-22nd, Greater Essex is set to take to the stage at UKREiiF, the UK’s Premier Real Estate, Infrastructure and Investment Forum, with a programme of panel discussions that will put the region firmly on the map as a growth hotspot.
Key delegates and business leaders from across Greater Essex will showcase the region’s booming economy, investor-ready projects, dynamic business landscape, and the UK’s largest Garden Communities programme.
UKREiiF (UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) has established itself as the UK’s premier real estate conference which aims to connect people, places and businesses to drive sustainable, inclusive and transformative investment and regeneration.
A delegation from Essex County Council together with Harlow Council and other local authorities which make up the Greater Essex region will be joined at the event by local business leaders, including members of the Greater Essex Business Board for a day of events, panel discussions and networking focused on promoting a strong ‘Essex is open for business’ message to the investment markets.
Already confirmed as one of the priority places on the government’s devolution programme, the Greater Essex Day will provide an opportunity for investors, developers and policymakers to better understand the region’s potential to deliver vital UK Growth.
Greater Essex is a key UK gateway to trade and investment, with two international airports (London Stansted Airport and London Southend Airport) and two Freeports – Thames Freeport and Freeport East, building on the strengths of the Haven ports (Harwich and Felixstowe), and London Gateway and Port of Tilbury – as well as being well connected to London, Cambridge and the M11 corridor.
The region has recently seen significant investment, including the government’s announcement for the go-ahead for the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing, a £1.1bn expansion of Stansted Airport and a £1bn investment by DP World in their colossal London Gateway container port.
Greater Essex also has a programme of future investment in the pipeline, including Thames Freeport with its 1,700 acres of available development land where investors will be eligible for generous financial incentives from the UK government, Freeport East Harwich (Bathside Bay) with its plans for a clean energy hub, and a range of transformative projects planned for the 412 acre Thames Enterprise Park.
It is driving new standards and building new places, through the largest Garden Communities programme in the country. With 24.,000 new homes going through planning permission this year, the region could potentially deliver – potentially delivering 1.6% of the national target in just four planning applications.
Greater Essex is one of only 6 areas chosen for the Devolution Priority Programme, a new mayor-led strategic authority will create the UK’s 4th largest economy. Already a key gateway for UK supply chains and one of the fastest growing regions – this panel debate will consider how the Devolution Revolution will accelerate and support ambitions for renewal, regeneration and growth
Chaired by: Melanie Leech, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation Potter Raper representative TBC
Panellists: Cllr Louise McKinley, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council Julia Gregory, Chair of the Greater Essex Business Board Steve Beel, Chief Executive of Freeport East Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of Royal Town Planning Institute
Harlow is set to grow at a rate two times faster than Oxford, four times faster than Leeds and five times faster than Manchester over the next 20 years. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) will support Harlow in achieving this. Both sectors share a common goal—delivering high-quality, sustainable development. This panel debate will explore how strategic PPPs can accelerate the planning and delivery process, overcome funding barriers, and unlock mutual benefits. Experts will share insights on collaboration models, risk-sharing, and innovative financing solutions.
Chaired by: Jackie Sadek, Chair of the UK Innovation Corridor
Panellists: Cllr Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council and Chair of the Harlow & Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee Richard Fagg, Director of Development at Vinci UK Developments Tom Hill, Executive Director at Hill Group
Greater Essex is home to the UK’s largest Garden Communities programme. Join our panel of experts to learn new insights into how navigate the challenges and unlock the benefits of new homes and communities.
Chaired by: Krishma Shah of Epping Forest Council
Panellists: Russ Edwards, Project Director at Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community, Latimer by Clarion Housing Group Andrew Taylor, Group Planning Director at Vistry Group Osian Evens, from Harlow Garden Town Jas Bhalla, from Jas Bhalla Works
Essex’s growth is driving a surge in construction projects, requiring a skilled workforce. Onsite training centres could be the solution to bridging the skills gap and supporting this
Central government has begun devolving 30-year Long-Term Investment Funds and wants to see universal coverage of Strategic Plans by the end of the Parliament. Join a lively panel debate on whether places can now dare to think beyond Local Plan timescales and targets, solving local challenges for the benefit of residents and businesses.
Chaired by: Lisa McCance, Director of Shared Intelligence
Panellists: John Edwards, Director, Office for Investment at The Department for Business and Trade Jenny Rydon, Partner at Montague Evans Andrew Taylor, Group Planning Director at Vistry Prof. Samer Bagaeen BSc MSc MBA PhD FRICS MRTPI FRGS FRSA, Technical Director – Planning, Environmental Assessment & Management at Arcadis
Launch of the Greater Essex Business Board – join our facilitated networking and to discover what difference can business leaders and influencers make in advocating for investment and economic growth, promoting collaboration between public and private sector and being empowered to lead for their economy.
Chaired by: Julia Gregory, Chair of the Greater Essex Business Board
Joined by: Ryan Liversage, Area Director (Essex) at Morgan Sindall Steve Beel, from Freeport East Rupert Wood, Head of Strategic Land at Almcore TBC
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