West Midlands to set out bold growth agenda at UK’s largest real estate and infrastructure conference

The West Midlands will showcase its most ambitious programme to date at UKREiiF – the UK’s leading investment and infrastructure forum. (20th – 22^nd May).  

Led by Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, its delegation will rally behind a core mission of mobilising economic growth across the region. The West Midlands’ three-day programme will explore the scale of regeneration opportunity across the region’s £117bn economy, with panels, keynotes, roundtables and networking sessions targeting the developer and investor community. The comprehensive programme will be organised around a range of topical themes: 

• Tuesday, 20th May AM - Housing delivery 
  Including; market challenges and viability, and public sector intervention. 

• Tuesday, 20th May PM – Infrastructure 
  Including; decarbonisation strategies, the HS2 growth corridor, West Bromwich Town Centre procurement and the Birmingham Sports Quarter vision. 

• Wednesday, 21st May AM - Investment and occupier trends 
  Including; the West Midlands Investment Zone occupier opportunity, and the role of JVs in Wolverhampton’s Economic Growth Zone. 

• Wednesday, 21st May PM – Innovation (It Starts Here) 
  Including: Birmingham Knowledge Quarter ambitions, regional place-making and Coventry’s innovation ecosystem
• Thursday, 22nd May AM – Policy Including; the new West Midlands Local Growth Plan, and reflections from the week 

L-R Neil Rami Chief Executive at WMGC; Richard Parker Mayor of the West Midlands; Julie Nugent Chief Executive at Coventry City Council and Eamonn Boylan Inte

It will also feature a series of announcements linking to; the region’s investment portfolio, Birmingham Sports Quarter, West Bromwich Town Centre, as well as Smithfield Birmingham – which will manifest as a vibrant celebration of Birmingham’s next chapter, packed with electrifying spoken word, ‘Brummie’ food and incredible music.  

Among those in attendance will be Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands; Joanne Roney, Managing Director of Birmingham City Council; Greg Clark, Executive Chair of the University of Warwick’s Innovation District; Tom Wagner, Co-Founder of Knighthead Capital, and Mark Wild, Chief Executive at HS2 Ltd.  

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "The West Midlands is already one of the UK’s most attractive destinations for investors but I’m committed to accelerating that economic growth so it benefits all our communities sooner.  

"That means forging partnerships with forward looking investors and developers whose ambitions support my own key priorities of growth, jobs, affordable homes and better transport. UKREiiF offers a golden opportunity to do that and change thousands of lives for the better.  

"And with some of the country’s most important regeneration schemes in the pipeline, and the added benefit of the West Midlands’ Investment Zone status, there has never been a better time to become part of our shared success story.” 

Joanne Roney CBE, Managing Director of Birmingham City Council, said: “As one of Europe’s youngest cities, with a diverse and talented set of residents, now is the time to encourage as much investment and opportunity into Birmingham as possible. We are committed to ensuring the city is an attractive area for further global investment, and we need strong partnerships within the public and private sectors to make this happen. 

“UKReiFF will be an opportunity to showcase our ambition of becoming the foremost city of forward-thinking, ideas, and development.”

Councillor George Duggins, Leader of Coventry City Council, said: “There are some amazing investment opportunities underway and available in Coventry. Private sector investment is set to transform our city centre, future proofing it with new homes, retail and leisure opportunities. 

"And we are leading the green industrial revolution with the investment zone and our gigafactory site, Greenpower Park, set to power an electrified future. The scale of opportunity which also extends into the cultural sector means there is something for every investor in Coventry and plenty of support too.”

Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, said: “Wolverhampton is a city that delivers. Just look at what’s been achieved - and what’s on the way.

"A new city centre transport interchange, award-winning office developments, thousands of new city centre homes, and a state-of-the-art City Learning Quarter opening this year. With bold regeneration plans and strong regional partnerships, now is the time for investors and developers to take a closer look at the opportunities here and in the West Midlands."

Organised by the West Midlands Growth Company – the region’s investment promotion agency - the delegation will include local authority figureheads, spanning:  Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton and the West Midlands Combined Authority. 
 
Neil Rami, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, said: “Spanning three major cities and four thriving towns, the scale of opportunity in the West Midlands is on par with entire countries in mainland Europe. The region has a rapidly growing population, has secured its largest share of UK FDI on record, and remains a thriving start-up ecosystem.  

“The byproduct of this evergreen demand is an enormous opportunity for developers to seize. The region’s position as the first HS2 station outside of London will expedite its growth potential even further, spurring existing industries of strength, like Life Sciences. I look forward to meeting the real estate community at UKREiiF to reinforce that transformational development starts here.” 
 
Private sector partners championing the West Midlands, include: E.ON, Lendlease, Arcadis, Arup, Apsley House Capital, Agilyx Group, BDP (Building Design Partnership Ltd), Construction West Midlands, Cundall, Deloitte, Hammerson, Indurent, Keon Homes, Lovell, Mott MacDonald, Muse, Pinnegar Hayward Design, Prior+Partners, Shoosmiths, Stoford, Stonebond, Woodbourne Group and WSP. 

UKREiiF follows the West Midlands’ successful presence at MIPIM 2025 and comes ahead of the launch of the West Midlands Local Growth Plan taking place on June 30th. Delegates will have a unique opportunity to discuss the associated Green Paper and input their views into the future economic direction of the region.  

To learn more about the West Midlands programme for UKREiiF 2025, visit investwestmidlands.com/real-estate/wm-at-ukreiif