UKREiiF 2025
Welcome to Staffordshire.
We have brought our delegation to UKREiiF since inception in 2022 and are proud of the partnership approach we have built to showcase all corners of the county, including, this year, the city of Stoke-on-Trent too.
2o25 sees another packed year of fringe events, speaking activities and the famous ‘Welcome to Staffordshire’ receptions, where attendees can sample local produce including Titanic ales, Halfpenny Wines, with grapes grown in Staffordshire vineyards, and locally produced crisps.
We invite delegates to stand E22 to find out more about the opportunities available through our Place to Prosper campaign.
| Activity | Date | Time | Further Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast networking and Panel/presentation event (Midlands Engine) - Midlands Engine Pavilion | 20th May | 8:00 - 10:00 | Launch of Keele Innovation District | Global Innovation grown in Staffordshire This session marks the formal launch of Keele Innovation District, presenting its mission, vision, masterplan, and regional investment partnership formed to drive forward its development. Already a key site for high value employment, these proposals represent a significant expansion of the current footprint at Keele, taking the University's innovation facilities into a new era. The proposals represent a powerful contribution to the UK's renewed focus on driving up productivity across the UK by stimulating sectors with the highest growth potential, builds on an already strong cohort and growing pipeline of global and locally-grown companies working in digital technologies, advanced materials, life sciences and clean energy industries. Speakers Part A: Launch - Professor Trevor McMillan, Vice Chancellor, Keele University - Dr Helen Turner, Director Midlands Innovation Universities - Tony Kinsella, Chief Executive, Lucideon - Adam Jogee, Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme (tbc) Part B : Rapid Q&A - Ann Pittard, Director of Engagement and Partnerships and Keele University Science & Innovation Park - Joe Caine, Head of Keele University Science & Innovation Park - Anthony Evritt, Head of Funding Solutions - Nationwide, Willmott Dixon - Anthony Hodge, Assistant Director, Business and Enterprise, Staffordshire County Council |
| Exhibition Stand - Stand E22 | 20th - 22nd May | 9:00 - 17:00 | We Are Staffordshire delegation invite you to say hello! On stand E22 |
| West Midlands Region Leaders Brunch | 20th May | 10:00 - 11:30 | UKREiiF organised event – invitation only |
| Private roundtable – Dockside Office roundtable room | 20th May | 12:30 - 14:00 | Fifty500: powering the UK's green industrial revolution from the heart of the UK Global brands, a 90km corridor and £1.5bn of investment opportunities. The Fifty500 (A50/A500) is the backbone of efficient product movement and supply chain connections as well as a dynamic pathway for cutting-edge manufacturing and innovation with major businesses specialising in clean energy, hydrogen, and technology innovation. Join us to hear about the ambition to make the Fifty500 the primary location for sustainable manufacturing, investment and employment in the UK. - Assessing next steps and priorities to further the case for investment into the A50/A500 growth corridor Speakers include: - Maria Marchoses, Midlands Connect - Philip White, Staffordshire County Council - John Kavanagh, Communications Director, JCB - Ann Pittard, Keele University - Richard Hickman, Indurent - Gordon Mole, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council - Jonathan Bretherton, East Midlands Freeport - David Johnson, Michelin - Jon Rouse, Stoke-on-Trent City Council - Mark Nicholson, Harworth Group - Simon Donlon, Stantec |
| Stand reception – celebrating Staffordshire’s produce | 20th May | 16:00 - 17:00 | Join the Staffordshire collective on the We Are Staffordshire stand, to enjoy informal networking, and sample Staffordshire’s finest produce |
| Sponsor and Partners Dinner | 20th May | 18:00 - 20:00 | Leonardo Hotel, Private room – an opportunity to bring sponsors and the We Are Staffordshire delegation together for an informal networking dinner (sponsor funded) One year on: Transforming town centres |
| Panel event (Midlands Engine) - Midlands Engine Pavilion | 21st May | 10:45 - 11:45 | Working title: Skills for growth: how partnership working and investment in skills can deliver huge economic returns Bringing public and private sector case studies together, we’ll explore how collaboration and targeted investment in skills can deliver significant economic growth to the region. - Showcasing best practice examples of private sector investment into skills – rationale for why developers might go down this route - Highlight successes of Staffordshire Jobs and Careers Service in supporting local employment - Turning planning policy into effective action on jobs and skills - Next steps Speakers: - Anthony Bains – Chairing, Staffordshire County Council - Ann Pittard, Keele University - Heidi Salmon, WinVic - Wayne Dutton, South Staffordshire Council - Craig Hodgson, Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group |
| South Staffordshire/ Wolverhampton Economic Growth Zone Launch Event | 21st May | 11:15 - 12:00 | Using Local Authority JVs and partnership to unlock the next generation of innovation and employment in Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Using i54 advanced manufacturing business park and the Green Innovation Corridor as key examples, we’ll explore how collaboration can, with the right private sector partners, unlock innovative sustainable investment and employment at scale. Speakers: - Prashant Pillai, Wolverhampton University - Sarah Fordham, Senior Planning Manager, Indurent - Michael Kirkland, Logistics Capital Partners - Ian Griffin, Insider Media - Chair |
Keep your eyes peeled for speakers from across Staffordshire at the following…
| Activity | Date | Staffordshire Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| UKREiiF: Regional Leaders Brunch | 20th May 2025 | Alan White, SCC |
| COLLABORATION TO MEET NATIONAL HOUSEBUILDING TARGETS Invite only, roundtable event | 20th May 2025 | Doug Pullen, Lichfield DC |
| COLLABORATION TO MEET NATIONAL HOUSEBUILDING TARGETS Invite only, roundtable event | 20th May 2025 | Annette Roberts, South Staffordshire DC |
| BUILDING THE FUTURE: INVESTMENT, INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY IN UK INDUSTRIALS’ | 20th May 2025 | Indurent |
| PANEL: The importance of single family housing and BTR to meet local authority housing needs | 20th May 2025 | Jon Rouse, CEO, SoTCC |
| UNDISCOVERED PLACES INVESTOR & DEVELOPER LUNCH Numerous public sector towns, cities and regions will come together to engage with developers, investors and end-users who are actively seeking opportunities to bring forward new schemes and invest in opportunities. This session focuses on ‘hidden gems’ – locations with exciting investment propositions away from the major cities. Invite only | 20th May 2025 | Dean Piper/Michelle Smith, Stafford Borough Council |
| OPTIMISING SOCIAL VALUE THROUGH PLACEMAKING roundtable, invite only | 20th May 2025 | Simon McEneny, NuL Borough Council |
| UKREiiF: SECTOR INSIGHTS: LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY | 21st May 2025 | Chessington Group |
| PANEL: Building the Future: Unlocking Housing Solutions | 21st May 2025 | Tony McGovern, SoTCC |
Take a look at our 2024 UKREiiF activity:
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Event Details
The Royal Armouries, Leeds
20th May 2025
9:00 am-5:00 pm