Working Together to Shine a Spotlight on the East Midlands: Our Time is NOW!

Working Together to Shine a Spotlight on the East Midlands: Our Time is NOW!

The UK’s premier economic development event, the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) is taking place this year from 21-23 May in Leeds.

UKREiiF aims to connect people, places and businesses to drive sustainable and inclusive investment - regenerating towns, cities and driving development - which in turn have a positive impact on communities, economic growth and prosperity.

Representatives from D2N2 LEP will be attending UKREiiF and we are leading an interactive panel discussion on 22 May ‘Focus on the East Midlands: our Time is NOW’.

During our panel session, delegates will hear directly from the new East Midlands Mayor* and senior leaders from D2N2 LEP, East Midlands Freeport and the East Midlands Development Company, who will outline investment and development opportunities in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and explain how devolution is set to transform the East Midlands region. 

With access to up to £4 billion funding to invest in skills, transport, homes and regeneration and decarbonisation, the East Midlands devolution deal represents a once in a generation opportunity for our new East Midlands Mayor to use their new powers and new funding to drive growth and prosperity across the region. Our panellists will discuss major infrastructure investment propositions coming on stream in our region such as the East Midlands Investment Zone, the STEP Fusion programme and the East Midlands Hydrogen cluster.

Our panellists are:

The newly elected East Midlands Mayor* 

Elizabeth Fagan CBE, Chair D2N2 LEP 

Nora Senior CBE, Chair, East Midlands Freeport 

Sir Chris Haworth, Chair, East Midlands Development Company

*The East Midlands Mayor will confirm attendance following the results of the election on 2 May

Our panel will be chaired by independent broadcaster Geeta Pendse 

D2N2 LEP Chair, Elizabeth Fagan CBE, said:

“During the panel, I’m looking forward to discussing the wealth of investable propositions we have in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, such as the East Midlands Investment Zone, that will focus on advanced manufacturing and green industries. The Investment Zone will complement our region’s low carbon prowess in nuclear and hydrogen, in particular the STEP Fusion programme in North Nottinghamshire and our East Midlands Hydrogen Consortium, our unique inland hydrogen collaboration cluster. The East Midlands is on the cusp of a very exciting future and it’s vital that we seize the momentum that devolution brings to transform our region.”

Working together to shine a spotlight on the East Midlands

We are delighted to be working closely with partners including Marketing Derby, Invest in Nottingham and Destination Chesterfield. As Team East Midlands with a strong presence at UKREiiF, we’ll ensure the spotlight shines on our region, amplifying the huge opportunities that we’ll seize through devolution.

Megan Powell Vreeswijk, Chief Executive of Marketing Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, which includes Invest in Nottingham, said:

“The East Midlands Combined County Authority and East Midlands Mayor will bring an elevation in voice and opportunities to the region. This will drive national and international interest and bring an uplift, not only to our economy, but to our live, work and play priorities.”

John Forkin, Managing Director at Marketing Derby, said:

"The D2N2 area is about to take a significant step, making us a premier location for Government support.  We anticipate a consequent uptick in investment enquiries."

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said:

"UKREiiF is an excellent opportunity to showcase our region, which we know has huge potential for investment and growth. Chesterfield has seen a significant amount of major regeneration over the past decade, with several multi-million-pound projects still coming forward.

 "We look forward to seeing how devolution in the East Midlands will bring further growth to our town and surrounding areas - improving jobs, skills, infrastructure and quality of life for our people."

Our panel details

Join our interactive panel session at UKREiiF to discuss how Team East Midlands is working together to unlock our £4bn investment opportunity and create a brighter future for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The panel is free to attend for delegates attending UKREiiF. 

Focus on the East Midlands: Our Time is NOW

Panel discussion at UKREiiF

DATE: Wednesday 22 May 2024 

TIME: 14.15 – 15.15 

LOCATION: Newsroom Stage, Royal Armouries, Leeds

Link to book your place https://UKREiiF-EMfocus.eventbrite.co.uk