Beyond the buzz: How UKREiiF 2025 was a standout this year

As the buzz of UKREiiF 2025 fades and the city of Leeds returns to a less hectic pace, I’ve had a chance to reflect on what was a jam-packed, energetic and genuinely valuable few days, for Moore Media, for the Liverpool City Region, and for the wider property and regeneration sector.

This year was my first UKREiiF, so I can’t compare it to previous years, but what I can say is that Leeds was absolutely jumping. From packed-out presentations and impromptu 1-2-1s, to fringe networking events, media interviews, business breakfasts, and even a table football derby, the city pulsed with purpose.

And yes, there was plenty of walking. And talking. And coffee. And the odd networking glass of wine. Obviously.

But beneath the hustle and buzz was something more meaningful: a collective sense of momentum.

Themes that mattered

If I had to choose one word to sum up the event, it would be “valuable.” Not just in terms of visibility and networking (although there was plenty of that), but because the conversations felt real.

Yes, we discussed the challenges, green skills gaps, land banking, the bottlenecks of planning bureaucracy, but the general consensus was clear: it’s time to move past obstacles and into meaningful action.

There was an overwhelming sense of positive growth. Not just ambition, but appetite. Not just strategy, but solutions. Whether it was with developers, local authorities, or industry peers, people were keen to talk openly, collaborate honestly, and think long-term.

From talk to action

One of the standout aspects of UKREiiF was the collaboration on show, particularly at the Liverpool City Region pavilion. The floating pontoon stage became a hub of insightful conversations, with metro mayors, chief execs, and sector leaders stepping up to share bold visions. But it wasn’t just talk, it was dialogue. People were approachable, engaged, and keen to discuss client challenges and opportunities on a 1-to-1 level.

A key takeaway for me came from the LCR stand, where it was great to see so much public-private alignment. But — dare I say it — it’s time we started seeing all that planning turn into action. Because vision only becomes value when it’s implemented.

Reimagining Liverpool

I was particularly interested in discussions surrounding the new Reimagine Liverpool Regeneration Board. It’s a powerful mix of sector professionals with some impressive achievements and strong voices from other authorities. There’s a lot of potential there, but also some important, unanswered questions:

• What KPIs will they set themselves?
• How will they define and measure success?
• And how will they communicate their progress in a way that’s transparent and accountable?

These are the markers of impact that will define whether this initiative becomes a game-changer, or just another well-intentioned talking shop.

Networking that counts

For Moore Media, we spent valuable time with previous and present clients including Sutcliffe, Starship, Nugent, Qube Residential, Steven Hunt, and CMS, while also building new connections with exciting prospects like Saible and Consortia.

A particular highlight was a productive roundtable with Downtown in Business, where we met BID leaders from across the UK, including London and Leeds. There was a strong spirit of shared experience and a hunger to learn from each other, especially when it comes to how regeneration and placemaking can genuinely transform UK cities.

And yes, it did feel like a bit of a property sector takeover. But a good one. Cities should feel that buzz when we come together.

Standout sessions (and a surprise winner)

The most engaging session I attended? Without doubt, The Battle of the Football Stadia Development Directors. The scale of what’s already been delivered, and what’s still to come, was mind-blowing. The presentations were sharp, the insights were rich, and the session ended on a high with a table football derby between Everton and Liverpool. (Liverpool won 3–2 on a cheeky VAR decision — no surprises there.)

Special shoutout to Dave Dargan from Starship for the live commentary, a top-tier way to finish a brilliant session.

Looking ahead

The ambition at UKREiiF was loud and clear. But what really struck me was the willingness to turn ambition into action. For Moore Media, that means continuing to support the clients who are shaping the places of tomorrow, not just with campaigns and content, but with strategic thinking and sector insight.

As we look ahead to UKREiiF 2026, we’re excited to see how the seeds planted this year start to grow.