Event

Bidwells at UKREiiF 2026: Innovation Unlocked

19-21 May 2026 Pavilion Avenue, UKREiiF, Royal Armouries and Leeds Dock, Leeds

Bidwells at UKREiiF 2026. Exploring innovation clusters, AI and robotics, clean energy, UK housing and social impact - with the people shaping them.

19-21

May 2026

Address:

Pavilion Avenue, UKREiiF, Royal Armouries and Leeds Dock, Leeds

From the UK's most dynamic investment hotspots to the rise of AI-driven science clusters, clean energy infrastructure and evolving residential models, our expert-led panels and roundtables explore where innovation is shaping the next wave of real estate opportunity.

With a focus on commercialising science and technology, planning in the age of AI, and delivering the infrastructure needed to power the UK's innovation economy, we'll examine the trends influencing investment, development and place-making across the country.

Our programme spans 10 sessions across three days, bringing together investors, developers, policymakers and researchers to debate the issues that matter most - from Biodiversity Net Gain and single family housing, to measuring social impact and the future of R&D space in the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.

Whether you're seeking new investment opportunities, fresh research insights, or connections with industry leaders, make sure to visit the Bidwells Pavilion at UKREiiF 2026.

Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Bidwells Attendees

9:30 - 10:00

Introductory session - Innovation Unlocked

Exploring how innovation translates into economic growth and real estate demand. Nick Pettit will welcome delegates, followed by research insights from Sue Foxley on commercialising innovation, scaling science and technology businesses, and the challenge of retaining high-growth companies in the UK — and what this means for investors and developers.

11:00 - 12:00

How Can AI Make Us Better Planners?

AI is rapidly reshaping the UK planning system. But what does this mean for developers trying to secure faster, more certain consents without increasing risk? This session explores where AI can make the planning process more efficient and more effective, from smarter pre-application analysis and stronger planning statements, to faster validation, consultation insight and better stakeholder engagement. Expect a grounded debate on what’s real today, what’s next, and how AI can be implemented responsibly across the planning system to improve certainty, quality and decision-making.

13:00 - 14:00

Roundtable with lunch - Collaboration for Innovation and Growth / Connecting Clusters across the UK

By Invitation Only

15:00 - 16:00

Powering the Technology Boom: Clean Energy for Growth

This panel will explore how the UK can deliver the clean power needed to support fast-growing technology demand - from data centres to advanced manufacturing. The panel will unpack how grid reforms are shifting the balance between utility-scale renewables and behind-the-meter generation, and whether current policy is doing enough to unlock investment. Panellists will debate the economics of holistic renewable energy systems, the role of export tariffs and government intervention, and whether stricter regulation is needed for new builds, refurbs and retrofits. The session will also spotlight the technologies most likely to accelerate adoption and meet stricter future requirements.

16:30 - 18:00

Drinks reception in the pavilion

08:30 - 09:30

UK Investment Hotspots: Innovative Cities

This opening session sets the stage for the day by examining the UK's most dynamic investment locations - the locations redefining growth, innovation, and economic resilience. Drawing on research from Bidwells, this session identifies where capital is flowing, why certain places are pulling ahead, and what makes a city a genuine hotspot for investors in today's market. From established innovation corridors to emerging sector clusters, the session brings together voices from across the UK to explore the opportunities, challenges, and strategies determining which cities win the race for capital.

10:30 - 11:30

Clusters in Transition: Rethinking Office Space for the AI and Robotics Era

As AI moves from theory to deployment, demand across the Oxford and Cambridge clusters is shifting decisively towards research-anchored, knowledge-intensive space. This session will draw on historic office and R&D trends to show how the market is evolving — and why traditional corporate models no longer fit. Panellists will unpack the AI stack, its relationship with robotics, and the technical drivers shaping location decisions, from power and cooling to latency and connectivity. We’ll explore who needs to be near whom across the AI ecosystem — and what this means for the scale, mix and flexibility of space developers should be planning for next.

12:30 - 13:30

BNG for Developers (Invite-only)

Join us for a focused discussion on the implications of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for real estate investors and developers. Drawing on new research produced for IPF Research, this session will unpack how BNG regulations affect project delivery, costs, values and reporting obligations, as well as what constitutes best practice in implementation. The conversation will explore how forward-thinking investors can treat BNG not simply as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic opportunity to manage risk, strengthen ESG performance and create new sources of value. Designed for those shaping investment and development strategies, the roundtable will also consider how the regulatory landscape may evolve and what that means for decision-makers today.

14:30 - 15:30

Rethinking Single Family: Finding the Right Model for the UK Market

Single family housing continues to attract significant institutional capital, positioned as a compelling asset class in the UK market. Yet on the ground, developers and housebuilders are questioning whether the model truly suits the UK context - facing delivery challenges, planning hurdles, and market realities that don't always align with investor expectations.

This panel brings together representatives across the development lifecycle to explore the disconnect. What will it take to translate strong investor appetite into successful, scalable delivery in the UK market? What are the practical barriers to delivery at scale? And critically, can we align investment appetite with on-the-ground reality to create a model that works for the UK market?

Join us for a frank discussion on whether single family housing represents a genuine opportunity for the UK, or whether we need to fundamentally rethink the approach to create a model that meets investment objectives, delivers on the country's housing needs, and works for housebuilders.

15:30 - 17:30

Operational Living Drinks Reception in the pavilion

09:00 - 10:00

Todd Talk

More information coming soon

11:00 - 12:00

How do you Measure Social Impact and Wellbeing?

This is a practical discussion on one of the built environment’s biggest challenges: proving social value in a way that is credible, comparable and meaningful. As expectations rise from investors, occupiers and communities, panellists will explore how social impact and wellbeing can be measured, and what “good” evidence really looks like. The session will unpack the complexities of attribution, timeframes, data quality, and the difference between reporting activity and demonstrating real outcomes. We’ll also consider emerging frameworks and wellbeing metrics, and how developers can build social value into decision-making from early design through to long-term operation and stewardship.

Nick Pettit

Senior Partner

Under Nick’s leadership, our building consultancy team has grown seven times larger, with a turnover eight times that when he joined.

Richard Todd

Head of Built Environment

Richard has been integral to the success of the Oxfordshire property market over the last 15 years through his work in the education and science and technology sectors.

Chris Pattison

Partner, Head of Planning

Chris has been delivering challenging client briefs across the UK for more than 20 years.

Max Bryan

Partner, Head of Office & Laboratory Agency

Max works with pioneering innovators and tech entrepreneurs, leading our unparalleled offices and labs agency team.

Roland Bull

Head of Rural

Roland leads Bidwells’ rural business, bringing analytical rigour, strategic clarity, and a future-focused outlook to some of the UK’s most valuable land and estate portfolios.

Matt Allen

Senior Executive Director, Clients, Markets & Strategy

Smartly aligning Bidwells’ BD and marketing strategy with business objectives, Matt has positioned Bidwells at that heart of its target markets.

Colin Summers

Partner, Capital Markets

Colin has the right expertise to help you enhance your student accommodation or Build-To-Rent property.

Iain Murray

Head of Operational Living

Iain spearheads our Operational Living department across PBSA, Co-living, Build to Rent, Later Living and Retirement.

James Godden

Partner, Project Management

James enjoys navigating projects from initial conception through to completion, to see new spaces created for a range of uses.

Sue Foxley

Research Director

Sue leads a dynamic programme of research at Bidwells. Working with her colleague Mark Callender, she is particularly focused on the real estate implications of the science and technology sector.

David Boles

Partner, Project Management

Edoardo Ruggeri

Associate, Energy & Renewables

Ed Howe

Head of Operational Living Research

Ed is part of our Operational Living department and heads up operational living research, working alongside Iain Murray.

Mark Teasdale

Head of Environment Society Economy

Mark leads our client offering on socioeconomics, regeneration, social value, health impact assessment, and equalities.

Robert Leadbetter

Partner, Investment and Property Management

Ranging from large scale ground-up development projects to bond-like income producing properties - Robert has a broad experience.

Helen Newman

Executive Director, Group Sustainability

Helen's background in sustainable development, sustainable finance and impact investing, ESG Strategies, and her understanding of the regulatory landscape brings unique insights in creating a more inclusive and sustainable built environment.

Alex Bloxham

Partner, Head of Residential Lettings

Alex and his team have more than doubled their portfolio of properties under letting and management over the last five years.

Sam Potts

Partner, Commercial Building Surveying

Sam is an award-winning building surveyor, creating leading-edge workspaces for science, research and technology businesses.

Zanna Bowles

Partner, Head of Land & Development, Oxford

An engaging and decisive residential land agent and development consultant, Zanna enjoys bringing the right people together to make things happen.

Gregory Loizou

Partner, Land & Development

Greg specialises in the acquisition and disposal of residential development sites throughout the East of England. With extensive experience advising both landowners and developers, he has played a key role in delivering several high-profile transactions.

Jamie Sullivan

Partner, Planning

Jamie brings extensive industry experience of greenfield Local Plan promotion as well as securing planning permission for large scale complex brownfield regeneration proposals.

Oliver Heywood

Partner, Operational Living Capital Markets

Oliver's experience includes build-to-rent, co-living, hotel and hospitality asset classes in the UK and across Europe.

Max Whittaker

Senior Surveyor, Land & Development

Max is a graduate surveyor working on several strategic sites across Cambridgeshire and East Anglia.

Piyush Rangras

Senior Project Manager

Piyush is a creative problem-solver with a positive attitude that sets him apart. His unique perspective drives him to explore different angles, always aiming to provide multiple solutions.

Chelsea Jarvis

Head of Digital & Creative

Focused on digital transformation, Chelsea is dedicated to driving growth across the business.

Laura Robinson

Marketing Manager

Natalie Harding-Cooper

Marketing Manager

Laura Robinson

Marketing Manager

Find out more about UKREIIF

The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum. Connecting people, places and businesses to accelerate and unlock sustainable, inclusive and transformational investment.

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View UKREiiF's Programme

View the full UKREiiF 2026 agenda on the official website to explore the wider programme of panels, speakers and events taking place across the festival.

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