A partnership made up of Enterprising Cumbria, Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council are showcasing Cumbria at The UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), which is taking place in Leeds over the next three days.
The benefits of investing in Cumbria will be showcased at a three-day business conference (Tuesday 20 - Thursday 22 May) which is set to attract 16,000 delegates and more than 1,750 potential investors.
UKREiiF, hosted in Leeds, got underway this morning (Tuesday 20th May) and connects people, places and businesses to accelerate and unlock sustainable, inclusive and transformational investment.
The annual event brings together the public sector - with every core UK city and region involved - alongside government, investors, funders, developers, housebuilders and more.
Enterprising Cumbria, Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council have joining forces to promote the area’s investment opportunities and development plans.
A pavilion promoting ‘Enterprising Cumbria’ includes a packed three day programme of networking, panels and roundtable events based in the Pavilion Avenue and Courtyard.
Council representatives, politicians and leading business representatives will be taking part in the Enterprising Cumbria programme that got underway at 8am with BREAKFAST WITH CUMBRIA: GOING FOR GROWTH event with presentations from Enterprising Cumbria, Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council.
Attendees include Transport for the North, Impact Investing Institute, Barrow Rising, NDA, Rory Stewart and Vicky Pryce, as well as Lord Khan, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.
Councillor Jonathan Brook, Council leader and Cabinet Member for Economy, said: "These are exciting times for Westmorland and Furness, with many opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth which will make a real difference to everyone who lives, works and visits here. Events such as this allow us to showcase and attract the people and organisations who can work with us to turn these massive opportunities into reality.
"The calibre of partners and speakers supporting us at UKREiiF is a testament to their confidence in the strength of our offer. I am sure we will return in a much stronger position to really kick on with projects which will be transformational for us all."
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: “I am delighted that our area and development opportunities will be showcased at a leading national event. Cumberland Council wants to do all we can to support local businesses in our area and events of this type showcase the region to potential investors and puts the spotlight on Cumberland and the wider region.”
Chair - Enterprising Cumbria, David Beeby, said: “We will be launching our new Economic Strategy for Cumbria at UKREiiF and look forward to speaking to potential investors about all we have in Cumbria. We are experiencing an exciting period of growth and change - meaning there has never been a better time to invest and develop in our region.”
The Enterprising Cumbria headline sponsors are Barrow Rising, NDA, Nuclear Waste Services and Sellafield Ltd.
Session sponsors are BAE Systems, Electricity North West, Fibrus, Genesis Homes iSH and the Port of Workington, plus out corporate presence sponsor Galliford Try.
Suppliers of Cumbrian products at the exhibition pavilion have been provided by: The Toffee Shop from here in Penrith, Carlisle Brewing Co, Cumbria Distilling, Eden Yard, Hawkshead Relish, John Watt Coffee and Tea, Lakeland Bake, Lakeland Mues, Mr Vikkis, Pladis Global/McVities, Shed 1 Distillery and the West Walls Brewing Co.
Nathan Spencer, Managing Director at UKREiiF, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Cumbria partners to UKREiiF 2025. Their participation underscores the importance of regional representation in driving investment, innovation, and growth. By securing this pavilion, they are taking a proactive approach to showcase their region’s unique strengths and opportunities, engaging directly with key stakeholders and potential partners. We look forward to seeing the exciting initiatives they will bring to this year’s forum.”
The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner opened UKREiiF 2025 and said “I want the whole of the North to benefit from devolved powers by the end of this parliament”
The Deputy Prime Minister said: “It’s a new era where decisions are made not in far away rooms in London but by people who know the towns best.”
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has also urged housebuilders to "build, build, build" as she said the Government has "big changes" in the pipeline to transform the housing market.
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