UKREiiF Advisory Group

Thames Estuary Growth Board – Kate Willard OBE, Chair

Kate Willard OBE serves as the Thames Estuary Envoy. Appointed by the government and chairing the Thames Estuary Growth Board, she’s the driving force behind the Thames Estuary’s ambitious plans. Kate also holds a senior advisory position at Stobart Group and consults on a range of infrastructure and growth projects. With international experience in regeneration, she’s been instrumental in various transnational projects focusing on employment, social cohesion, and regional development.

West Midlands Growth Company – Neil Rami, Chief Executive

Neil’s role at the West Midlands Growth Company has been pivotal in driving growth and investment in the region. His expertise in regional development and his commitment to sustainable practices will provide a unique perspective to the Advisory Group, ensuring the event reflects the needs and aspirations of regions across the UK.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority – Dr Aileen Jones, Executive Director for Investment and Delivery

Dr Jones has been with the Authority in 2018, initially serving as Head of Evidence, Research and Intelligence before advancing to Assistant Director of Policy and Strategic Commissioning in 2019. Prior to joining the Authority, Dr. Jones had a diverse career that spanned both the public and private sectors. Her experience includes significant roles such as Head of UK Public Policy for HSBC and Deputy Director of the Heseltine Institute at the University of Liverpool. She also has a notable history in public policy, working in Westminster as a Committee Specialist for select committee inquiries and holding positions at the Financial Services Authority, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and the General Medical Council.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority – Ben Still, Managing Director

As host region, leadership from across West Yorkshire is key to delivering a successful event and Ben acts as the main conduit into each of the five constituent local authorities to ensure the area maximises the impact of over 10,000 delegates arriving into Leeds, Kirklees, Wakefield, Bradford and Calderdale. The Combined Authority play a huge part in creating a world class experience for UKREiiF participants and he joins the advisory group to help co-ordinate issues such as city welcome and operations.

Manchester City Council – Joanne Roney CBE, Chief Executive

Joanne’s leadership at Manchester City Council has been pivotal in the city’s regeneration and growth. Her vast experience in urban development and her commitment to sustainable practices make her an essential member of the Advisory Group. Under her guidance, Manchester has become a beacon of innovation and sustainability.

Legal & General – Pete Gladwell, Group Social Impact & Investment Director

Pete is at the forefront of Legal and General’s social impact initiatives. With a keen focus on sustainable investments, he’s been instrumental in driving positive change within the industry. His expertise will be invaluable in shaping the UKREiiF event to reflect the latest trends and best practices in sustainable development.

British Property Federation – Melanie Leech CBE, Chief Executive

As the Chief Executive of the British Property Federation, Melanie leads the organization in representing the UK property industry. Her role involves advocating for the sector, shaping policy, and fostering sustainable growth. With a background in public service and industry advocacy, Melanie is known for her strategic approach to addressing key challenges in the property sector. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving forward initiatives that balance economic development with environmental and social considerations.

Prologis – Jason Longhurst, Head of UK Sustainable Investment and Partnerships

Working across two roles – Chair of the UK Business Council for Sustainable Development and UK Head of Sustainable Investments and Partnerships at Prologis, Jason has established himself as one of the UK’s foremost campaigners for creating greener, smarter places through built environment interventions. Having previously stewarded Place Director positions at both Central Bedfordshire Council and Bradford Council, he has been a supporter of UKREiiF since inception, bringing with him a host of policy makers, sector experts and blue-chip leaders. As part of the advisory board he will work with the content team to ensure cutting edge topics remain at the forefront of the event.

Invest Newcastle – Jen Hartley, Director

Jen Hartley’s role at Invest Newcastle is centred around promoting the city as a prime destination for investment. Her knowledge of the local landscape and her connections within the industry will be instrumental in shaping the event’s content and outreach.

Socius – Liam Ronan-Chlond, Head of Engagement and Social Value

Liam’s work at Socius revolves around engagement and creating tangible social value. His insights into community engagement and stakeholder management will be crucial in ensuring the UKREiiF event is both inclusive and impactful.

Lendlease – Bek Seeley, Founder @ Place Partners UK

Bek’s leadership at Lendlease has seen numerous successful projects come to fruition across Europe. Her expertise in development, combined with a commitment to sustainability, will provide valuable insights into the planning and execution of the UKREiiF event.

UKREiiF – Nathan Spencer, Director

Nathan Spencer is a Managing Director at The UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) and has been instrumental in connecting investors, developers, and regeneration specialists to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth. He is an enthusiastic participant and Steering Group Member of YPSV where he has facilitated networking among young professionals to enhance social value across various sectors. Additionally, his role as a Committee Member at Building Equality reflects his commitment to promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion within the construction, engineering, and built environment industries. Based in Leeds, Nathan is passionate about fostering inclusive and impactful community engagement.

Constructing Rainbows – Sharon Slinger, Director

Sharon’s work at Constructing Rainbows is a testament to her commitment to diversity and inclusion within the construction industry. Her insights will ensure that the UKREiiF event reflects the industry’s evolving landscape and the importance of inclusive practices.

Built Environment Networking – Keith Griffiths, Managing Director

A Chartered Quantity Surveyor by profession, and most recently was a Partner at Gleeds Chartered Cost and Project Managers for 11 years, Keith has a lot of experience and knowledge within the construction sector.

In 2011 Keith set up Built Environment Networking – the organisers behind UKREiiF – and has been working to deliver events both physically and virtually since. Running over 150 events annually the business has built up a reputation for delivering high-quality events focused on driving economic growth, enabling facilitation and new business conversations, and connecting new people together.

His experience of running events will be crucial to the Advisory Group to help inform the group on the operational side of the event.

City Development Leeds City Council – Angela Barnicle, Director

Angela’s work at Leeds City Council focuses on asset management and regeneration. Her deep understanding of urban development and her experience in managing city assets will be crucial in shaping the content and direction of the UKREiiF event.

JLL – Tom McWilliams, Head of North East & Regional Development

Tom’s leadership at JLL has seen the company’s growth and expansion in the North East and other regions. His insights into regional development and the property market will be invaluable in ensuring the UKREiiF event remains at the cutting edge of industry trends.