Business leaders from across the Central South will be flying the flag for our region at UKREiiF – the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum.

The event sees the private and public sectors coming together in Leeds to focus on attracting investment and sustainable regeneration. Government ministers are due to attend and anyone who is anyone in the built environment sector will be converging on Leeds for a week of meetings, conversations and building business relationships.

Business South has championed our region being represented at this important event which will attract 16,000 delegates over three days. I for one will be looking forward to being part of the delegation representing our part of the world and ensuring that key messaging about the Central South is heard loud and clear.

UKREiiF is expected to attract:

  • 1,750+ investors
  • 1,000+ occupiers
  • 1,750+ developers
  • 275+ councils

The leader of Southampton City Council, Councillor Lorna Fielker will be joined by the Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Councillor Steve Pitt and Leader of Basingstoke City Council, Paul Harvey and they will be taking part in a number of panel sessions and discussions to promote the region.

It’s really important for our region to be seen at events like this if we are to attract the investment that the Central South needs to flourish.

We’ve all been working hard to shine the spotlight on our region by ensuring we are visible at events such as MIPIM, the world’s leading property event and now at UKREiiF which runs from May 20 to 22.

The Central South delegation heading to Leeds will be stronger than ever this year and the messaging to prospective investors will be clear. We are open for business and keen to engage with businesses looking to relocate and grow.

Seeing our business and political leaders come together to promote our region with a unified voice has been so positive.

I come from a local government background and joined the Atkins Réalis team with the aim of speaking-up for our councils especially as we embark on bringing devolved powers to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and with local government re-organisation in the offing.

At AtkinsRéalis, we understand how crucial relationships between the private sector and public local authorities are, and the importance of bridging the gap between the two to create cohesive collaboration, and to ensure mutual benefit to both parties and the wider community. Events like MIPIM and UKREiiF are a great opportunity to strengthen these long-standing partnerships as well as fostering new opportunities between the public and private sectors. They allow local authorities to meet with private sector partners and present a shared vision that will pave the way for future development and long-term collaboration.

Business South Chief Executive, Leigh-Sara Timberlake perhaps summed it up best with her observation that the first time the region attended MIPIM, the Central South did not feature on the map of the UK.

Since then, the profile of the region has steadily grown and speakers from the Central South are now featured on an international stage.

Why is all this important for our region, you might ask? Well, the simple truth is that cities such as London, Manchester and Liverpool are well practiced at attracting investment and the likes of Cardiff, Derby and Newcastle are not shy when it comes to promoting their place.

We have always believed that together we have a stronger voice and hence why we have championed the Central South on an international and national stage.

Our main stage event at UKREiiF will be a panel discussion focusing on Central South – A Region Primed for Investment.

The political leaders from Southampton, Portsmouth and Basingstoke will be joined by Brian Johnson, Chairman of Solent Freeport and Paul Harding, Partner, Partner at Ridge & Partners.

And on Thursday morning I will take part in a panel discussion with Councillor Fielker and Councillor Pitt exploring our region as a gateway to good growth and Innovation.

It will be an honour to fly the flag for our region and be one of the 16,000 delegates attending this year.

This column is brought to you by Business South.