Events

There is absolutely no doubt that the property industry knows how to party, with hundreds of built environment professionals taking over the AO Arena in Manchester for a high-octane celebration of the Northern development scene.

The different ways towns across the North are anchoring efforts to breathe new life into their urban centres were under the microscope at last week’s pan-Northern briefing.

Providing 50% of England’s renewable power and 40% of the UK’s electricity, the North is ready to write the nation’s next chapter in its energy future. To make that chapter as illustrious as it should be, Place North’s latest conference delved into the obstacles to be overcome, opportunities to be realised, and the work to be done.

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.

The last 10 years have brought us wars, political uncertainty at home and abroad, Brexit, and a pandemic. Panellists at Place North’s Wednesday breakfast conference discussed how the sector has delivered amid the chaos and how it will continue to do so in the future. 

Jolly Harbour may not exist today, but the fictional town conjured up by those attending Place North’s Tuesday breakfast event served as a great testbed for conversations about placemaking best practice.

Place North brought the region to the forefront of the international property community at MIPIM in 2026. Next year, we aim to do even more – with more events, more branding opportunities, and more networking receptions.

The UK’s renewed focus on new towns is prompting fresh debate about how to create places that thrive for generations. At a panel session hosted by Place North, industry leaders were tasked with a thought experiment: how would they design a settlement from scratch?

Property professionals gathered together on Thursday to raise a dram to a week well spent in Cannes, having condensed a year’s worth of meetings into four days.

From marinas to innovation districts, Northern leaders pitched £500m investment visions for their regions at this Dragons Den-style event.

This panel session explored how the North’s combination of land, skills, and collaboration gives it a compelling edge in the I&L sector, despite persistent challenges.

Culture and tourism are playing an increasingly prominent role in urban regeneration strategies across the UK. This panel session hosted by Place North discussed how attractions can act as catalysts for economic growth, civic pride and community connection.

At this Place North panel session, local authorities and developers highlighted the ability of small and medium businesses to innovate, build community support, and deliver projects that respond directly to local needs.

This panel session hosted by Place North explored how from offshore wind farms and tidal power to advanced manufacturing and AI infrastructure, the North of England is positioning itself as one of the UK’s most important energy and technology powerhouses. 

Mayors, city leaders, and Combined Authority officials from across the Midlands, the North of England, and Scotland used a roundtable hosted by Place North to argue that the UK’s next wave of growth will be driven by regional cities, highlighting opportunities in AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and housing, while calling for deeper devolution and stronger infrastructure investment.