East Midlands set to shine at national economic development event

By Josh Marsh - 25 April 2024

Regeneration across the East Midlands will be put under the spotlight at a major investment and infrastructure forum next month.

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 will lead an interactive panel discussion on 22 May – ‘Focus on the East Midlands: our Time is NOW’.

During the panel session, delegates will hear directly from the new East Midlands Mayor, who will be confirmed once elections have taken place on Thursday 2nd May. Senior leaders from D2N2 LEP, East Midlands Freeport and the East Midlands Development Company will also 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. 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.

Devolution Panellists sat at table on stage with full audience listening

Panel discussion on East Midlands Devolution at UKREiiF 2023

Panellists include:

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 be elected on Thursday 2 May and will confirm attendance following the election

The 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.”

East Midlands Freeport Chair, Nora Senior CBE, said: “We have been presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attract and drive investment, innovation, and green growth across the region with two landmark destinations offered by East Midlands Freeport and the new combined authority’s investment zones. This panel will be an excellent showcase for all that the East Midlands has to offer investors who are keen to harness the skills, expertise and manufacturing heritage we have on offer here in the heart of the country.”

The Chair of East Midlands Development Company , Sir Chris Haworth said: “This is a momentous year for the East Midlands. We are looking forward to working with the East Midlands Combined County Authority and Mayor. There are some hugely exciting opportunities in the region which is at the centre of an energy revolution with the emergence of STEP nuclear fusion. Later this year, the closure of Ratcliffe Power Station, which is the last coal fired power station in the UK, marks a significant moment in history and provides a key location for economic growth adjacent to East Midlands Parkway Station.”

Delegates representing Destination Chesterfield will be in attendance at the event, discussing the wide range of investment taking place across the town with fellow attendees.

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.”

Join the interactive panel session at UKREiiF to discuss how Team East Midlands is working together to unlock our region’s £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