UK REIIF 2024

As the UK continues to decentralise, South Wales and Western England are working together to ensure their area becomes a key centre for growth for the UK’s future economy. With world-leading advanced manufacturing, digital innovation and home to green energy pioneers, the area has huge potential to become a nationally significant powerhouse with the aim to add £34bn to the UK economy by 2024. Come to hear leaders from across the area about why you should be thinking about the Western Gateway for investment.

Featuring Richard Ennis, Interim CEO, West of England Combined Authority.

Across the UK, different regions are looking to decarbonise at pace. In South Wales and Western England – already the largest nuclear supply chain in the country - a Hydrogen Ecosystem is developing. Fuelled by business and public sector collaboration this is unlocking innovation across heavy industry and aviation among other sectors. Home to the third highest tidal range in the world, it also has the potential to harness a significant renewable energy source for the UK. Through partnering with business and using local features, the area is providing a model for how new energy sources can form an important part of driving the UK’s net zero ambitions.

Panel discussion focusing on the area’s potential for driving work on Net zero looking at Nuclear, Tidal, Hydrogen and other sources.

Featuring Justin Olosunde, Funding & Investment Manager, West of England Combined Authority.

AI, 5G, quantum technology and advanced manufacturing are flourishing industries here and it is clear that the UK will need to invest in digital innovation to play a prominent part in the global economy. With cyber attacks becoming more damaging across the world, we need to ensure the nation has the skills to secure it’s future. Across South Wales and Western England, ground-breaking digital innovation is being supported by a cross border super-cluster of cyber skills that is set to pave the way for a future facing economy. Find out how the area with the UK’s most powerful supercomputer is ensuring that the country can continue to compete on the world stage.

Panel discussion: strength of digital innovation in the area, painting a picture that demonstrates the potential to grow especially the need for new homes to accommodate talent.

Spotlight investment project: Golden Valley – Building out from GCHQ as the UK’s cyber security home, the Golden Valley development sits at the centre of the Western Gateway geography. This will be an iconic smart district designed to serve the most innovative ideas, people and companies in the future of UK tech and cyber security.

Featuring Stephen Bashford, Strategic Director of Economy and Skills, West of England Combined Authority.

Sponsored by the West of England Combined Authority

Bristol Temple Quarter is one of the UK’s biggest city-centre regeneration projects. Aiming to transform 130 hectares of brownfield land in central Bristol, the programme has the potential to deliver thousands of sustainable new homes and commercial space, creating inclusive economic growth for residents and businesses across the West of England. In March 2024, the four partners – Bristol City Council, Homes England, Network Rail and the West of England Combined Authority – came together to drive forward the regeneration of the area, formalising their long-standing partnership.

Join this breakfast session to hear more about the opportunity, including the upcoming process to select a Development Partner to work with the partnership to deliver new housing, commercial space, and infrastructure in Phase 1.

Sponsored by Bristol Airport

With a strong and diverse talent pool and world-leading industry expertise, the West of England is an excellent place for businesses to start up, scale up and succeed. Our global-first mindset, reputation for innovation and highly collaborative approach make our region a catalyst for business growth. With a population of over 1.1 million, the West of England is a place where highly-skilled people live, ideas flourish, and businesses grow. Be a part of this growing economy.

Across the UK, communities are looking at how to regenerate city and town centres, with new commerce, knowledge and innovation centres and housing at the centre of them. Across South Wales and Western England are examples of how Rail investment can leverage for other forms of investment and be a catalyst for wider development.

Featuring David Gibson, Director of Infrastructure, West of England Combined Authority.