UKREiiF 2025: We’ll see you there

UKREiiF is back this May, with directors Kriston Harvey, Howel Morris, Kully Toor, and associate director Matt Harrison all attending.

Every year now the event serves as an important opportunity to tap into the collaboration, innovation and forward thinking that can be found within the built environment industry. It’s a platform for companies from a range of sectors, both private and public, to come together and discuss aspirations for the future of development in the UK.

Over the course of the three-day event, there are many different ways to catch up with industry partners, make new connections, and dive into discussions on the industry’s greatest challenges and opportunities. Ahead of the event we asked the team to share their thoughts on UKREiiF, its benefits, and what they are most looking forward to this year.

Why is UKREiiF such a beneficial event for the engineering industry?

Kriston: UKREiiF is such a multi-faceted event, bringing together people from across the various sectors within the industry. It provides an opportunity to hear the latest updates from the UK regions, network with clients and fellow professional consultants along with taking in keynote speaker and panel sessions on current hot topics. Having access to all of this in one place over a few days makes it hugely beneficial.

Kully: We can raise our profile with existing and new clients in all sectors. It gives insight on different opportunities within the construction sector and provides a platform for thought leadership and networking.

Matt: It’s simple. Mutual exposure, interaction and opportunity. There’s no other event of this size, which has so many different but interlinked professionals all in one place, all wanting to understand, grow and explore opportunities with others.

Howel: It’s an opportunity to sustainably meet lots of industry contacts, gathering all the people and companies needed to start and finish a project. The insight you gather from spontaneous conversations, pre-planned meetings and industry sessions is all valuable for future planning.

What aspect of the event do you find the most interesting or useful?

Kriston: It’s hard to pin it down to one aspect. For example, last year, having a relatively new regional office in Liverpool, we wanted to forge new North West based contacts, and the fringe events provided a great opportunity to do this. The daytime sessions linked to topics such as planning, regeneration and sustainability are always of interest to me, so I generally try to attend a number of these sessions.

The benefits of being able to have a good catch up with existing contacts shouldn’t be overlooked either – we’re generally all busy people and coordinating diaries during a normal working week can sometimes be challenging, so being in one place for a few days can provide the perfect opportunity.

Kully: The event provides informative sector insights and good panel discussions around the day-to-day construction topics. Alongside meeting like-minded professionals gathered in one venue.

Matt: I could give the same answer as I did for the first question, but the opportunity to speak to people in person, and often in an informal setting – over a coffee or a beer for example – enables me to cement existing relationships, or build a rapport with new contacts in a way that just isn’t possible during my ‘day-job’.

Howel: Last year was my first time attending UKREiiF and I found that hearing how clients and other professionals saw the next 12 months going was incredibly helpful. It’s a great opportunity to understand the status of the UK development market and gets you out of the bubble of generally seeing it through your own company’s lens.

What is one part of this year’s agenda you simply can’t miss out on getting involved in?

Kriston: I like the sound of the ‘Delivering places for future generations – what are the building blocks?’ panel session in the Harworth Regeneration Pavilion, so I will aim to attend that. With our strength in the industrial and logistics sector, I am also keen to attend the ‘Sector Insight – Industrial & Logistics’ session in the Markets and Sectors Pavilion. There are also several sessions on the topic of regeneration – we have a wealth of experience in helping to deliver complex brownfield regeneration schemes, so I will likely pick out a couple of those to attend as well.

On a general note, a key focus for us this year will be the South West as we look to support further growth in our Bristol office.

Kully: I will be focusing on raising the profile of our South-West office, so it’s important I am attending events and panel discussion which offer us new opportunities to meet potential clients and increase understanding on any future developing opportunities within the region.

Matt: The choices are seemingly limitless, so it isn’t easy to single one out yet!

What advice would you give to anyone attending UKREiiF for the first time?

Kully: Be well organised and plan the day ahead. There are a lot of events to cover so organisation is key.

Kriston: Don’t fill your diary – leave plenty of time for chance meetings and conversations as these can sometimes be the most valuable. Also, wear a comfortable pair of shoes.

Matt: Try not to be overwhelmed, the programme is extensive so it’s easy to book your diary out completely, but in my opinion that isn’t realistically achievable. On that basis, I would advise building in some free time to take advantage of impromptu meetings because the panel discussion format doesn’t lend itself to networking, as the crowd is supposed to be listening to the panel. I found it was better to target the sessions most relevant to you, your business, as well as clients that you’re wanting to support. If you arrive a bit later, you can scope out the room and then make contact with your chosen person towards the end of the session so you can continue the conversation outside.

Howel: Be prepared as the on-site events come thick and fast from 8am, and then the fringe events begin again from 4pm until late.

Following last year’s event, have there been any new ideas you have implemented or new relationships forged?

Kriston: Last year there were lots of new relationships forged and relationships strengthened. Despite the wet weather it proved a really good event for making new contacts, which has definitely helped to support the growth of our Liverpool office.

Kully: There have been numerous new relationships. The primary focus for me was to raise our profile within the North West region. During last year’s event we spoke to numerous developers, contractors, architects and project managers which we have continued to talk to since.

Matt: I’ve made sure that I’ve sent off my RSVP’s and allocated time in the calendar for the key fringe events during the late afternoon and evenings. I will be more flexible with my daytime schedule. I’ll also be taking my own umbrella!

Howel: We came away with some exciting new ideas regarding high density housing with secure communal back garden space.