Sheffield’s leaders head to the UK’s largest real estate and investment event next week, ready to showcase Sheffield as a global, green and growing city that is delivering dynamic spaces to work, live and play.
A delegation from the city comprising of elected officials, civic leaders and business people will attend the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds on 21-23 May. The event is attended by 12,000 delegates from around the world.
Sheffield will be attending in partnership with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Authority to shine a light on recent progress. The delegation will demonstrate the city’s commitment to reimagining the city centre, preserving heritage and leading the way on carbon net zero.
Championed as the ‘Outdoor City’, Sheffield is raising its global profile and is home to ground-breaking initiatives like the world’s first Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District, the UK’s first Investment Zone, and Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.
The conference also provides a platform to shout about the city’s game changing city centre regeneration, including the Sheffield City Council-led £470m Heart of the City scheme that has delivered innovative new developments interlinked by world class green spaces.
At dozens of events across a three-day programme, the team will demonstrate how Sheffield is confidently driving its next phase of growth through investment, skills, education, housing and transport infrastructure.
Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Chair, Dr Sherry Kothari, and Chief Executive, Dr Chris Low, will join key speakers including Kate Josephs, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, Cllr Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council and Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire Mayor. They will also be joined by businesses and organisations including Legal & General, Homes England, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Sheffield Property Association.
Kate Josephs, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, said: “We are so proud of what we are delivering in Sheffield right now. Our major city centre regeneration projects are providing stunning architecture, celebrating our heritage and identity, and aligning with our net zero goals. Confidence is coursing through the city and we’re harnessing this to drive our next phase of growth.”
Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, added: “Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do as a Council. We have a landmark housing partnership with Homes England, and we’re working with South Yorkshire’s Mayor to deliver the UK’s first Investment Zone, helping to leverage Sheffield’s market leading advanced manufacturing, health tech and life sciences sectors.
“Sheffield understands growth and we have a long-term plan to make it happen. Our growth plan forecasts £3 billion of investment into the city, and we look forward to sharing these successes and opportunities during UKREiiF 2024.”
On Tuesday 21 May from 2.15pm to 3.15pm, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Chair, Dr Sherry Kothari, will join Kate Josephs and Tom Hunt on a panel to discuss ‘Sheffield – Growing a National and International Reputation Through Placemaking, Innovation and Investment’.
And on Thursday 23 May from 10.45am to 11.45am, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Chief Executive, Dr Chris Low, will join Kate Josephs and Tom Bousfield, Corporate Director of Growth, Business & Skills at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, on a panel to discuss ‘How South Yorkshire’s Innovation District is Regenerating Communities’.
There are many more opportunities to hear from the Sheffield delegation during the conference and topics for discussion include how Sheffield City Council and the Mayor of South Yorkshire have partnered to drive ambitious improvements to bus services and an expansion of the tram network delivering a coordinated mass transit system for the region.
An expansion to the district heating network will also be showcased giving delegates the opportunity to hear how the largest network in the country is putting the city at the forefront of sustainable energy infrastructure.
The success of innovative partnerships with the city’s two world class universities, which are already delivering innovative labs and accelerators within a new Innovation Spine, as well as the UK’s first Investment Zone will also be highlighted.
