The first panel of the day focused on urban regeneration across the region. Credit: Place Media Group

North East Development Update | Summary & photos

15 June 2026 08:01 Comments (0)

Held at St James’ Park in Newcastle and sponsored by Caddick Construction and Haskoning, this year’s event painted a picture of a region entering a new phase of growth and investment.

Hotspot presentations from Gateshead, Newcastle, and Stockton-on-Tees gave an insight into some of the exciting regeneration projects going on in the region, as well as those coming up in each of the council’s pipelines. While challenges around viability, skills, and infrastructure remain, speakers were united in their belief that the North East has a unique opportunity to capitalise on its assets, talent, and increasingly strong regional leadership.

The North East’s growing confidence and ambition as a destination for urban regeneration and investment was highlighted, with strengths including a skilled and loyal workforce, world-class universities, major development opportunities, and increasingly effective collaboration between local authorities, combined authorities, Homes England, and private-sector partners. Large-scale projects such as Forth Yards, Gateshead Quays, Durham Innovation District, Riverside Sunderland, and Darlington’s government hub developments were cited as examples of regeneration that can transform places, attract inward investment and create long-term economic growth.

As well as urban regeneration, the opportunities and challenges surrounding data centres, digital infrastructure, skills development, and inward investment were also explored, including the region’s growing prominence as a destination for technology-led investment, particularly following its designation as the UK’s first AI Growth Zone. Opportunities and barriers discussed included the potential to create high-value jobs, attract international businesses, and support wider regeneration ambitions across the region, versus energy infrastructure constraints, digital connectivity challenges, and persistent skills shortages.

Expert speakers:

Simon Hulme, director of capital projects, Government Property Agency
Jen Hartley, assistant director of capital investment & growth, Newcastle City Council
Simon Dew, managing director for Yorkshire & North East, Muse
Matthew Bell, assistant director, Homes England
Danielle Phillips, assistant director for inward investment & business growth, North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
Jeremy van de Bergh, associate director, Haskoning
Anneliese Hutchinson, strategic director of economy, innovation, & growth, Gateshead Council
Paul Dodsworth, managing director, Caddick Construction
Stuart Howie, national regeneration lead, Avison Young
Chris Renahan, assistant director for inclusive growth & development, Stockton-on-Tees Council

Main topics and themes

The North East’s investment proposition: The region offers a compelling mix of competitive costs, strong returns, high-quality talent and significant opportunities for social impact. Investors can play a visible role in shaping communities while benefiting from future growth potential.
Major regeneration projects and place-making: Projects including Forth Yards, Durham Innovation District, Gateshead Quays, and Riverside Sunderland were highlighted as examples of long-term regeneration schemes designed to create jobs, attract businesses and strengthen urban centres.
Devolution, leadership and long-term vision: Speakers praised the growing influence of mayoral strategic authorities and regional devolution, arguing that local leaders are best placed to identify priorities and direct investment towards projects that will deliver lasting economic benefits.
Viability, funding and delivery challenges: Despite strong demand for development, many schemes face financial viability gaps due to construction costs, inflation, and infrastructure requirements. Public-sector intervention, flexible funding mechanisms, and faster decision-making were identified as essential to bringing projects forward.
Data centres and the AI Growth Zone opportunity: The increasing demand for data centre development and the significance of the North East becoming the UK’s first AI Growth Zone. Speakers argued that the greatest economic value will come not only from hosting data centres but from building wider innovation ecosystems, research clusters, and technology businesses around them.
Energy infrastructure and power availability: Access to reliable power was identified as the single biggest factor influencing investment decisions, particularly for data centre operators. While the North East benefits from significant renewable energy generation and future offshore wind developments, grid capacity and connection delays remain major challenges.
Skills shortages and workforce development: Construction, engineering, and technology sectors are all facing growing skills shortages. Panellists highlighted the need for greater investment in training facilities, apprenticeships, and long-term workforce planning to ensure local people can access emerging career opportunities.