This week, HBD joined peers from across the UK in Leeds at UKREiiF, a major gathering of people, places, and organisations working to drive sustainable, inclusive regeneration and investment.
Among the team representing HBD was Simon Raiye, Head of Region for the Midlands. In this piece, Simon reflects on the opportunity to showcase the strength and potential of the Midlands, and to be part of the wider conversation on regional growth.
Being at UKREiiF this week served as a timely reminder of the energy, ambition and collective will that characterise our sector. It’s an event that doesn’t just bring people together, but elevates the conversation, offering a platform to explore what’s possible and, more importantly, how we deliver it.
It was a real privilege to represent HBD and our Midlands team, spending time with partners and peers who are doing transformative work across the region. The Midlands has so much to offer including a rich industrial and cultural heritage, and unrivalled connectivity. UKREiiF offers a national stage on which to showcase progress and champion all that potential.
At HBD, we’re proud to play a role in shaping the Midlands of the future. From Setl, our flagship residential scheme in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, to SPARK in Walsall, we’re creating forward thinking places that respond to end user demand that are socially valuable and environmentally sustainable.
The Midlands on the national stage
This week was about flying the flag for the business in the region, learning from others, and making connections that will help us drive things forward.
The event itself felt noticeably busier this year. This was evident in the amount of delegates who were forced to stay in locations outside of Leeds for a lack of hotel rooms capacity. My diary was almost full before I even arrived, which reinforced something I’ve been feeling for a while: the ‘fringe’ has become just as (if not more!) important as the main programme. Three days of dedicated networking without the operational interruptions of a regular working week is both invaluable but also critical to delivering in our role because of the platform it provides for; best practice knowledge sharing, ideas for future development projects, potential partnership opportunities and gathering market intelligence. Some of my most valuable meetings were with people I bumped into at fringe events, serendipitous encounters that often prove the most fruitful.
A highlight was HBD’s joint event with Hallam Land, an incredibly well-attended and meaningful gathering. Credit to our marketing team, who always get the tone just right. The setting, the food, the atmosphere all contributed to a productive, well-paced few hours that allowed for genuine connection. It also gave me breathing room in a hectic schedule and meant I was able to invite multiple key people to a single event. That included key councillors from Walsall Council, where we’re delivering SPARK, as well as agents and partners from across the Midlands.
Key conversations
In terms of key themes, the conversation around residential development was, unsurprisingly, dominated by the Building Safety Act and the ongoing challenge of viability. These factors are creating significant delays in getting new homes off the ground. Investors were asking detailed questions of our experience of the BSA Gateway approvals processes and there was clear investor caution around taller buildings due to increasing complexity, regulatory impact and finance costs.
I also had the opportunity to spend time with the Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority and senior local authority leaders. The focus was firmly on regeneration, particularly the need to deliver more housing in a challenging environment. The mayor continues to champion the need for affordable housing across the whole of the West Midlands with a particular focus on delivering in the areas that need it most. In turn I was able to lean into some of my practical experience and feedback some ideas on how Local Authorities can support the private sector in delivering on those aspirations. The role of developers here is crucial; we’re the ones tasked with marrying the density aspirations of public bodies with the commercial realities on the ground. Creative, intelligent design and funding solutions will be key to unlocking those opportunities.
This speaks to the broader point about representing the Midlands. Politically, we’re more connected than we’ve ever been. There’s a real sense that HBD is recognised, both as a brand and as a trusted voice in the region. I understand the mayor’s agenda, and I’m aligned with the concerns of local leaders: how we build viable, safe, affordable homes, and how we use brownfield land intelligently to create meaningful new employment spaces.
In conclusion
All in all, UKREiiF was a packed and purposeful few days – a chance to step back, take stock, and accelerate forward. For HBD, and for the Midlands, the future feels full of possibility.