Plowman Craven joined thousands of industry professionals at this year’s UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds. There, conversations around investment, regeneration and innovation took centre stage. Notably, UKREiiF was the event that brought these professionals together.
Held between 19th and 21st May at the Royal Armouries Museum and New Dock in Leeds City Centre, UKREiiF brought together more than 16,000 professionals. These professionals came from local and national government, developers, investors, contractors and the wider built environment sector. Moreover, the forum is widely recognised as one of the most influential events in the industry calendar. It continues to play a key role in shaping the future of the UK’s infrastructure and regeneration landscape. In addition, UKREiiF influences connections and strategic conversations throughout the year.
Members of the Plowman Craven team attended a range of talks, panel sessions and networking events across the three-day forum. As a result, they gained valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges currently shaping the sector. Many of these opportunities and challenges were discussed at UKREiiF.
One of the key themes emerging from this year’s event was the growing role of artificial intelligence within the built environment. Significantly, AI’s importance was highlighted during several sessions at UKREiiF.
Dwayne Rapley, Strategic Account Manager at Plowman Craven, reflected on the volume of discussion surrounding AI and its impact on the industry. His insights were gathered in the context of UKREiiF’s expert panels.
“A lot of conversation and consideration on AI. Thoughts centred around its impact on compliance, insurances required for companies installing systems and how an AI-native workforce coming into the market will be more suited than those senior colleagues who have to adapt and change.”
The discussions highlighted how rapidly evolving technologies are beginning to influence not only operational efficiencies, but also workforce dynamics, governance and risk management. These impacts are seen across infrastructure and construction.
For Jim Gregory, Managing Director for Asset Management, the event reinforced the importance of industry collaboration and relationship-building. All of these priorities were emphasised at UKREiiF.
“An excellent conference. Thank you to the organisers at UKREiiF for putting together a truly invaluable event. While the forum offered many thought-provoking takeaways, the standout was the sheer volume of conversations taking place. From sharing knowledge to exploring new opportunities and partnerships, these relationship-building discussions are pivotal to the future growth and development of the United Kingdom.”
Alongside strategic discussions, attendees also explored practical challenges and opportunities facing the infrastructure sector over the next decade. This was thanks in part to focused sessions delivered at UKREiiF.
Johnny Wales, Head of Commercial at Plowman Craven, attended a session hosted by Kier Group, the Ministry of Justice, UK Government and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). In addition, this session focused on the future of UK infrastructure delivery and was a highlight of UKREiiF this year.
“Thrilled to have attended UKREiiF yesterday (in the rain!), especially the insightful session by Kier Group, the Ministry of Justice, UK Government and Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) on the future of infrastructure over the next decade. Fascinating to explore what this means for specialist SMEs like Plowman Craven.
Also, a highlight was connecting with professionals outside our usual network, all united by the same mission: driving efficiency and value in public infrastructure projects.”
The event provided an important opportunity for Plowman Craven to strengthen existing relationships and forge new connections. Additionally, it allowed the company to remain closely aligned with the evolving priorities of the built environment sector. Attending UKREiiF greatly contributed to this alignment.
As investment and regeneration projects continue to accelerate across the UK, forums such as UKREiiF remain essential. They bring together the organisations, expertise and innovation needed to help shape a more sustainable, inclusive and efficient future. The keyword UKREiiF continues to represent industry leadership and positive change.
For Plowman Craven, the conversations started in Leeds will continue long after the event itself. Furthermore, these discussions will help to inform future collaboration, innovation and growth across the infrastructure and property sectors. There will be long-lasting impact from UKREiiF.
