An introduction to UKREiiF

UKREiiF has become a major fixture in the property, construction and built environment events calendar. But what is it, who’s behind it, and why should you consider going? As the visitor badges start to land in post boxes this week, Liz Male takes a detailed look at UKREiiF.

By Liz Male
10 May 2025

UKREiiF stands for the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (and is pronounced UK-Reef).
The organisers claim the event brings “16,000+ professionals from national and local government, investors, developers, end-users and the wider built environment industry together – it’s the place where conversations start to drive investment and regeneration in our regions.”
This year, the event runs from 20-22 May at the Royal Armouries Museum and New Dock in Leeds.

As of today, its delegate directory is showing 13,314 registered attendees, and there will be a couple of thousand fringe visitors too.
LMC is a session partner for 2025. ** Find out about our UKREiiF event and prize draw here. **

The history of UKREiiF

For many, it feels like UKREiiF has risen out of nowhere.

But the business behind the show is Built Environment Networking (BEN) which was founded in 2011 and was well known for running loads of smaller, expensive and unapologetically commercial conferences and mini-exhibitions on a wide range of property and infrastructure topics.
Built Environment Networking / UKREiiF is now owned by Infropro Digital which also runs a very similar French trade show called SIMI for investors, public sector clients and developers and attracts 26,000 delegates a year. Infopro Digital is also the parent company of Barbour ABI.
Keith and Amanda Griffiths, the Leeds-based founders and main shareholders in Built Environment Networking, originally moved BEN to an employee ownership model but then sold to Infropro Digital last summer. Nathan Spencer was promoted to managing director and now runs the UKREiiF business unit within the Infopro Digital portfolio.
UKREiiF had its first show in 2022 when it attracted about 3,500 delegates, and it has grown rapidly since.

This year it will feature hundreds of events on 60 stages with more than 1,250 expert speakers, plus two large exhibition halls and a vibrant fringe programme.
We’re very glad to see the show now also has a mandatory Sustainability Pledge for all exhibitors and pavilion partners, and also a strong focus on diversity and inclusion – the organisers claim to have formed over 70 partnerships with a diverse range of EDI organisations. These include Regeneration Brainery, Black Women in Real Estate, Women in Property, Building People, Young Entrepreneurs in Property, Association of Muslim Surveyors, Real Estate Balance, Diversity Talks Real Estate and more.

No, UKREiiF is not "the new MIPIM"

Admittedly industry events do tend to go in and out of fashion. For a while there was a lot of chat about whether UKREiiF is "the new MIPIM".

But MIPIM in Cannes, France is different. It is significantly more international in outlook, and gets 20,000+ delegates from around the world. It’s been going for 35 years, and has the benefit of all the luxury yachts, fancy hotels, restaurants and bars along the Mediterranean shoreline normally bathed in Spring sunshine (although heavy rain made it a bit of a washout this year).
UKREiiF is obviously much more UK cities and regions-focused, and has a heady mix of policy, research and politics, alongside inward investment deals, placemaking talks and a big dose of devolution. It may even be sunnier in Leeds than Cannes this year.
Given that the property sector is so strongly fuelled by personal relationships, it’s no surprise that UKREiiF takes a similar approach to MIPIM in providing a dizzying array of hospitality and sponsored networking opportunities alongside the business end of the conference.
But apart from that I don’t think you can actually compare the two very easily yet... although I may change my mind if Leeds suddenly turns into a sea of blazers, blue shirts and beige chinos.

What to look out for at UKREiiF 2025

Going through the programme for UKREiiF this year, it’s hard to avoid an overwhelming sense of FOMO.

I realise I’ve shortlisted no less than 11 separate events I want to attend in the first two hours of the first day… So much going on, so little ability to be in 11 places at once. Where is AI when you really need it?
So I’m not even going to try to list all the talks that have already caught my eye. But here is a small selection of gems featuring a few LMC friends, clients and connections:
And suffice to say we can also expect to get loads of central and local government announcements over the three days.

Ministers and senior officials from key departments are expected to use UKREiiF as a platform for new announcements again this year, including presentations and comment from the Cabinet Office, MHCLG, Department for Business and Trade, Homes England, Department for Transport, NHS and the Government Property Agency. I’m particularly interested to hear the New Towns Taskforce update from Sir Michael Lyons, chair of the taskforce.
Outside the formal sessions, there are dozens of networking walks, runs and rowing sessions on offer if your idea of a good day starts or ends with exercise.

Also note the SLR Cycle to UKREiiF. Organised by Club Peleton, this is a fundraising cycle challenge over 400 km, which starts in Newport, South Wales this Friday and finishes in Leeds on Monday 19 May. To be honest, taking part in the cycle challenge is probably your only chance now of getting a discount on UKREiiF’s eyewatering ticket price.
And Rock @ UKREiiF for Land Aid and the official UKREiiF After Party both sound like fun. The 'Spin City Showdown' after party is a fundraising dance night and “battle of the DJs” where the UK’s metro mayors take control of the decks at the O2 Academy in Leeds. All monies raised from ticket sales go towards Regeneration Brainery, a social mobility programme supporting more than 6,000 young people from under-represented backgrounds to gain hands-on experience in the property and regeneration industry.

By Liz Male

10 May 2025

Let's meet up at UKREiiF

Dan, Liz and Ruth will be at UKREiiF from 20-22 May, so if you're in Leeds for the show, let's meet up!

You can also register for our free event on 'Transforming the Built Environment' here - come and help us discuss pragmatic, practical, scalable and replicable examples of change and innovation to improve the built environment for the better.
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