UKREiiF 2026: conversations, new connections and a courtyard full of paella

A few days on from UKREiiF and we’re still recovering from a whirlwind week of events in and around the fringes of the built environment carnival that took over Leeds last week.

As ever, it brought together people from across the industry to challenge thinking and explore what’s next for towns, cities and infrastructure. For us, it was a week packed with discussion, collaboration and the kind of spontaneous conversations that only seem to happen properly during UKREiiF week.

Colleagues from across our studios joined activity throughout the week, both inside the main event and across the Fringe programme, contributing to conversations on regeneration, placemaking, infrastructure and long-term reuse, while also finding time for reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting plenty of new ones along the way.

In true UKREiiF fashion, activity had started before anyone had even reached Leeds. After cycling over 165km from the Lakes as part of Club Peloton’s Cycle to UKREiiF challenge, Rob Westcott and Charlie Cameron arrived on the city on two wheels, raising money for Cyclists Fighting Cancer along the way. 

Tuesday began bright and early with Stephen O’Malley speaking at Place North’s breakfast session before joining wider discussions across the programme, including panels hosted by ING Media and Women in Property.

Back at our Leeds studio, conversations turned towards masterplanning and placemaking, with a roundtable hosted by Paul Morris and Charlie Cameron exploring how system thinking and infrastructure-led approaches can help shape more resilient, deliverable and connected places. The pair brought together perspectives from urban planning, structural engineering and development, reflecting the importance of looking beyond silos when shaping successful places. 

That theme of long-term thinking continued throughout Wednesday’s programme. 

The morning focused on regeneration and the creation of neighbourhoods shaped not just by identity and community, in a roundtable hosted by Hannah Keighley and Alex Petts. Drawing on their expertise in structural engineering and geoconsultancy respectively, they led the conversation to a place that explored how technical, environmental and social considerations all play a role in creating places that work for the long term. 

Later in the day, reuse in all its forms was discussed, with self-proclaimed urbanist, Gareth Atkinson and our resident building service specialist Rob Harris right at home leading a conversation around retrofit, adaptation and how we extend the life of buildings and infrastructure over the long term.

And then came the Paella Party…

As the Leeds sunshine made a brief but very welcome appearance, our courtyard filled with friends from across the industry. Lots of paella, prosecco and more than a few people attempting the Macarena made for one of our favourite moments of the week.

After a packed few days of panels, workshops and meetings, it gave everyone the opportunity to reconnect and continue conversations in a slightly less formal setting.

Looking back on the week, what stands out is the value of being together in one place. Beyond the formal programme, UKREiiF created space for new ideas, fresh perspectives and the kinds of conversations that continue long after the tents come down.

A big thank you to everyone who took part in our round tables and offered thoughtful insights – keep a look out for write ups to follow. If you’d like to continue the conversation and collaborate in the future get in touch!