The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) returns to Leeds from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 May helping unlocking investment and driving regeneration and development across the UK to accelerate economic growth.
In partnership with the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), we are hosting a series of joint events held in the Built Environment Lounge which is a dedicated space for roundtables, panels, and networking sessions. Outside our events RIBA, ICE, RICS and RTPI members are welcome to work and connect in our lounge.
Outside of this space, we are also taking part in a number of panels. All our events offer perspectives from the architecture sector on key issues shaping the built environment, from housing delivery and planning reform, to workforce diversity and meeting net zero targets.
Tuesday 20 May
8am to 10am
Collaborating for growth: UKREiiF networking breakfast
Built Environment Lounge at Boulevard Studio 2, inside the secure zone
Entry: Invite only
We are partnering with the RICS, RTPI, and ICE for a networking breakfast to welcome delegates to UKREiiF.
This event offers the opportunity to engage with fellow industry professionals and create new connections, and exchange insights on the future of the built environment. Taking place ahead of the main conference sessions, the breakfast will provide a relaxed setting for meaningful discussions on housing, planning, sustainability and investment - key themes shaping the sector.
9.30am to 10.30am
It’s time to stop talking about the housing challenge (panel session)
Pearl Suite
Entry: Open
Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President, joins representatives from Clear Futures, Aviva Investors, and Manchester City Council to discuss how collaboration can turn commitments into real progress on addressing the housing crisis.
10.45am to 11.45am
Who puts the distinctiveness into place? A developer, an architect, and a marketeer go head-to-head (panel session)
Asian and African Gallery
Entry: Open
Muyiwa Oki, President, joins a panel with a developer and a marketer to debate who plays the most critical role in creating truly distinctive places - with big questions on who's role is most misunderstood, who returns the most value and who leaves the strongest legacy.
2pm to 3pm
How can we deliver homes and places while also meeting our climate goals? (panel session)
Built Environment Lounge at Boulevard Studio 2, inside the secure zone
Entry: Open
With a commitment to delivering 1.5 million homes, a changing climate and net zero targets looming, how will the government ensure that all these challenges are addressed? This panel explores what urgent action is needed to create homes and places today will stand the test of time and don’t negatively impact on the natural environment.
The event will be chaired by Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President and he will be joined by David Partridge, Chair of the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard governance board and others.
3.30pm to 5pm
Inflexible working – the elephant in the room (panel session)
Bradford 25 Suite at Mumtaz, Leeds Dock
Entry: Open
In 2024, Women in Property’s Building Balance survey explored how childcare costs and availability affect the industry but deeper issues quickly emerged: flexibility, transparency, and teamwork.
Robbie Turner, RIBA’s Director of Inclusion and Diversity, joins this panel to discuss how these challenges affect recruitment, retention, and progression – particularly amid a skills shortage and pressure to meet the government’s housing and growth targets.
The discussion will focus on what needs to change to close the gender pay gap and build a more inclusive industry that reflects the society it serves – from how you write a recruitment ad to how you retain staff, this panel addresses the inflexible elephant in the room.
5.30pm to 7.30pm
Drinks Reception: welcome to UKREiiF
Built Environment Lounge at Boulevard Studio 2, inside the secure zone
Entry: Invite only
In partnership with ICE, RICS, and RTPI, we are hosting an exclusive gathering to kick off UKREiiF with meaningful conversations and networking opportunities.
Wednesday 21 May
8am to 10am
Future Placemaking: Delivering 1.5 Million Homes (private breakfast roundtable)
Built Environment Lounge
Entry: Invite only
The government’s ambition to deliver 1.5 million homes presents both an opportunity and a challenge; ensuring that these homes are well planned, high-quality, and supported by the right infrastructure. Success will depend on effective planning reform, strategic infrastructure investment, and a skilled workforce capable of delivering at scale. This roundtable discussion will explore the role of placemaking in helping to meet the government’s housing targets.
2pm to 3pm
Collaborating to close the skills gap: building an inclusive workforce (private roundtable)
Built Environment Lounge at Boulevard Studio 2, inside the secure zone
Entry: Invite only
This session will explore how industry and government can build an inclusive workforce to meet future infrastructure and housing demands.
Government ambitions around building more homes, critical infrastructure, and attracting investment rely on a diverse and skilled workforce across the built environment sector. We need to attract, retain, and upskill our workforce; from architects and surveyors to planners, engineers, and construction workers. Now is the time to address the serious skills shortages across our sector.
5.30pm to 7.30pm
New Towns: Delivering high quality places that are fit for the future (drinks reception)
Built Environment Lounge at Boulevard Studio 2, inside the secure zone
Entry: Invite only
What is needed to ensure quality remains a key consideration in the creation and development of new towns and urban extensions? How can built environment professionals support the government in delivering the next generation of new towns? Join us for some networking drinks to find out.
Thursday 22 May
12pm to 1pm
Attracting and maintaining talent in the built environment sector (private panel session)
Entry: invite only
President Muyiwa Oki joins this panel to discuss how we can drive new talent into the sector and look and how we can best engage young people going forward.
RIBA Competitions at UKREiiF
RIBA Competitions is the UK’s most widely recognised provider of architectural competition services: delivering choice, inspiration, and value to clients through expertly run competitive selection processes.
With an extensive experience of delivering high profile competitions for a diverse range of project types and budgets on behalf of both public and private sector clients, RIBA has an experienced team who can advise and manage a competition tailored to your individual requirements.
Using RIBA to manage and support your competition brings credibility, prestige. and rigour to the process.
If you would like to find out more please speak with one of the team at UKREiiF and find out more on our competitions homepage
Stay updated
Stay tuned as this page is updated with highlights from our participation at UKREiiF 2025.
For more information, get in touch with our Policy and public affairs team at Public.Affairs@riba.org
