BOOK NOW | Yorkshire Industrial & Logistics

Place’s popular briefing on Yorkshire’s I&L market returns in October with speakers confirmed so far including Michelle Burton, head of employment & skills at West Yorkshire Combined Authority; Dan Burn, head of development for North West & Yorkshire at Panattoni; and Kiran Bhalla, logistics research analyst at Savills.

Join us on Thursday 15 October at Leeds Marriott Hotel for this half-day session on the state of the logistics sector in the region.

There will be a mixture of presentations and panel debates. Breakfast and lunch will provided, allowing plenty of time for business development networking.

Yorkshire Industrial & Logistics 2026 is sponsored by Spawforths, Glencar, Waterman, and LCB.

Confirmed speakers

Kiran Bhalla, logistics research analyst, Savills | Bhalla specialises in the UK I&L market and co-authors the Big Shed Briefing publication, Savills’ regular analysis of the UK logistics market and, more recently, created the firm’s new Prime Mid-box Report. Through regular reports, presentations and client research, Bhalla translates detailed property data into clear market insights. Her research helps clients understand how occupier demand, the availability of modern warehouse space and the development pipeline are affecting industrial and logistics markets across the UK.

David Rolinson, chairman, Spawforths | Spawforths is one of the largest planning, masterplanning and architectural companies in Yorkshire. Rolinson is a chartered town planner with nearly 40 years’ experience working mainly in the private sector. Rolinson provides advice to a wide range of clients including industrial and logistics developers, land promoters, housebuilders, landowners, and retail/leisure developers. He is also a member of the West Yorkshire Mayoral Business Board and the Leeds Chamber of Commerce Property Steering Group.

Michelle Burton, head of employment & skills, West Yorkshire Combined Authority | A public sector leader with 20 years’ experience of leading policy and programmes that have a real and lasting impact on people, businesses and communities. Burton is head of employment and skills at West Yorkshire Combined Authority, where she has led this growing and high-profile agenda through its devolution journey, bringing new powers, funding and responsibilities to the region. Control over skills funding has allowed the Combined Authority to better target investment in line with regional priorities, including to develop the workforce required to deliver major infrastructure schemes.

Dan Burn, head of development for North West & Yorkshire, Panattoni | Burn leads Panattoni’s Northern office, based in Manchester. He is responsible for accelerating the company’s land purchase, build-to-suit and spec build programme across both the North West and Yorkshire Region. With 20 years transactional experience, he is well recognised within the market, having been involved in many of the UK’s pre-eminent industrial & logistics schemes. Since working in the sector, Burn has gained a reputation for his approachable, pragmatic and customer focused approach to business.

Tom Kearsley, Northern regional director, Glencar | Kearsley is Northern regional director at Glencar, leading operations across the North of England. With more than 20 years’ experience delivering major industrial and logistics developments for leading developers and occupiers, he combines operational expertise with a deep understanding of client priorities, long-term partnerships and the evolving demands shaping the sector.

Rob Holmes, vice-principal, Leeds College of Building | Holmes leads on quality assurance, curriculum development and innovation across the college, helping drive its recent recognition as Construction Apprenticeship College of the Year (2025) and as a finalist for Quality Improvement Team of the Year at the Quality Professionals Awards. He plays a key role in LCB’s position as lead partner for the Yorkshire & Humber Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) network, and is closely involved in regional initiatives to strengthen the construction skills pipeline. He regularly speaks on employer-education collaboration, apprenticeships, and closing regional skills gaps in construction.

Matt O’Neill, place executive director, Barnsley Council | O’Neill is a highly accomplished public sector leader with more than two decades of experience in economic development, regeneration, strategic planning, and delivery of front-line services. Currently serving as the executive director of place at Barnsley Council, O’Neill provides strategic leadership across a wide portfolio including economic regeneration, planning, housing, culture, zero carbon initiatives, waste, neighbourhoods, highways, assets, environment, transport, communities, and regulatory services.

Tickets cost £90+VAT. Local authorities and registered providers can purchase tickets at a 50% discount.

To discuss partnership opportunities please contact [email protected]

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