03 Jun 2025
This year’s UKREiiF felt like a step forward for the event. With a more established format and better integration of fringe events, it created a positive platform for open conversation and industry-wide insight.
Representing CPMG across our regional offices were Directors Nick Gregory (Nottingham), Chris White (London) and Anil Parmar (Birmingham). Here’s what they had to say:
How did this year’s event compare to previous years?
C: The event seems to have grown into itself now. We’ve been attending since the inaugural UKREiiF in 2022 and it felt much more established this year.
N:The overall set-up, especially with the fringe events, was better coordinated. It all felt very positive – the weather helped of course.
A: The West Midlands Pavilion had a strong presence. There was a lot of energy around growth potential in Birmingham and beyond. That positivity carried through in conversations.
What were the standout discussions or themes?
N: The East Midlands Pavilion offered a compelling vision for the future. It was good to see the East Midlands Combined Authority beginning to make a tangible impact - there’s a growing sense of direction for the region.
C: A consistent theme in London was the repurposing of existing building stock. Regeneration, retrofit and re-use came up repeatedly in conversations, which is very reflective of where the market is heading.
A: Greentech and transport connectivity were discussed across multiple sessions, as well as the growing role of data and emerging technologies. Even though we’re not directly in that space, it’s clearly an area of rapid development and one to watch.
What industry challenges came up in conversations?
C & N: There’s definitely a shift happening. We’re seeing more claims-orientated approach across the industry, and the Building Safety Act is sharpening focus for everyone - clients, consultants and contractors alike. It's evolving fast and it’s having a real impact on how people operate.
A: A recurring frustration was how long it’s taking for projects to get to site. That’s affecting a lot of sectors and adding pressure across the board.
How did the event align with CPMG’s work?
N: With such a broad cross-section of attendees - developers, end users, local authorities, contractors - it really reinforced how well aligned UKREiiF is with our cross-sector and national reach. It felt like every conversation had some relevance to what we’re working on.
A: It’s a brilliant platform to share what we do, especially across our sectors. Exposure is important - not just in terms of visibility, but in reminding people of the breadth of value architects bring to the table.
C: I had a great conversation with another architect about collaborating on future opportunities. By combining strengths, we could access work that might otherwise remain closed off to us individually. That’s exactly the kind of conversation UKREiiF is great for.
What should happen next?
N: The priority now is following up on the conversations we started. We need to keep building momentum and stay focused on our strategic growth.
A: It’s vital that architects continue to be part of industry conversations like UKREiiF. Our input is foundational - without us, there’s no project. We need to step up and take a leading role in shaping the future of the built environment.
UKREiiF 2025 left us encouraged by the optimism in the sector, energised by new conversations and reminded of the importance of staying connected across regions, sectors and disciplines. We’re looking forward to building on that momentum.
