Last week, we were in Leeds for UKREiiF, the annual gathering of people and organisations committed to delivering sustainable, inclusive, and transformative regeneration and investment across the UK. It’s a brilliant opportunity to connect with collaborators, clients, colleagues, and friends, and to share the stories behind the work we’re doing at HBD.
Among the team representing us was George McKimm, Apprentice Real Estate Surveyor. In this piece, George reflects on his first experience of UKREiiF, and how meeting so many new faces is already helping to shape his career.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience at UKREiiF. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet new faces and reconnect with people I already know from across the industry.
While some businesses tend to send only senior colleagues to events like this, HBD takes a far more inclusive approach, giving opportunities to those of us who are just starting out. I was proud to be part of a strong and diverse team, each of us eager to get to Leeds, forge new relationships, and gain insight into the ideas shaping the future of the property sector.
I joined my colleague Dean Thompson at the event, meeting several of his contacts, which was a great way to get out there, introduce myself and put a face to the name for the people we work with day-to-day.
No two days were the same
The week was fast-paced and busy. Day one was all about meeting agents, investment specialists and retailers as we explored potential sites and opportunities to collaborate. We also spent that day at some interesting panel sessions, including an insightful seminar on unlocking the grey belt. Hosted by Searchland, it really helped demystify the process of transitioning land out of the green belt and preparing it for development, a topic that until now, has felt quite literally like a grey area. The session clarified what’s involved when working with local authorities and outlined some of the practical steps developers need to take.
We concluded day one with our HBD drinks reception. With over 150 people in the room, it was a brilliant opportunity to meet contacts in person, strengthen relationships and continue building our network in a relaxed setting.
Day two was packed with back-to-back meetings, catching up with partners and colleagues, while the final day gave us the chance to explore more of the event and drop into some interesting sessions and discussions.
Throughout, I was able to talk to people about my role and the projects I work on, while also learning about their needs and exploring how we might collaborate in future. It was a real chance to build my profile, meet a wide variety of people and speak directly with individuals in senior roles across the industry.
The future is bright
But my biggest takeaway is the fact that young people like me are starting to push through the door at events like this, and it was also great to hear businesses talk about apprenticeships and their desire to get more young people into our sector.
It was also encouraging to see a small but growing number of younger professionals represented at the event itself. UKREiiF is still largely attended by senior figures, but it’s clear that the future of our sector lies in bringing through the next generation. Giving young people a voice at events like this will be key, and I hope to see a bigger contingent early-career professionals attending in the future.
Overall, it was a brilliant experience and a valuable step in my development. Here’s to 2026!