Cratus Group at UKREiiF 2025
Cratus Group is excited to return to UKREiiF, taking place from May 20th to 22nd, 2025, at the Royal Armouries Museum and New Dock in Leeds City Centre. This premier three-day event is set to bring together over 16,000 professionals from national and local government, investors, developers, end-users, and the wider built environment industry, fostering conversations that drive investment and regeneration across the UK.
This year, we are proud to have the Cratus Group Pavilion returning with our co-sponsors Kier and Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, two industry leaders who share our commitment to shaping thriving, sustainable communities. Together, we will host a series of thought-provoking sessions, engaging debates, and exclusive networking events designed to connect key voices in planning, development, and local government.
Find out more at UKREiiF.
Meet our UKREiiF Team
Charlotte Platten
Dan Humphreys
Duncan Flynn
Harriet Shone
Imogen Spencer-Dale
James Goldstone
Julian Seymour
Matt Spencer
Nick Kilby
Nicola Richards
Samantha Carmichael
Sarah McKee
Join our UKREiiF 2025 morning networking runs with fellow property and construction professionals. Hosted by Property Sports Network.
Refreshments sponsored by Latimer by Clarion Housing Group.
This is a private event.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and local planning authorities will showcase how innovative solutions are transforming planning and place-making for the 21st century
This session is brought to you by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The UK’s housing crisis is exacerbated by a critical shortage of skilled professionals across the housing delivery chain – from construction workers, planners to the specialist green skills needed for decarbonisation. This panel will examine the systematic barriers and issues facing the sector, and how to bridge the skills gap.
- Chair: Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council
- Nikki Davis, Principal and CEO of Leeds College of Building
- Clare Miller, Group CEO of Clarion Housing Group
- Helen Fadipe MBE, President of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
This session is sponsored by Latimer by Clarion Housing Group.
Transparency, simplification, modernisation, innovation.
The Procurement Act 2023, now law for almost 100 days, focuses on transparency, simplification, modernisation, and innovation in estate construction and management. This legislation aims to streamline procurement processes while ensuring public funds are effectively managed. Join us for an engaging discussion on its impact on clients, contractors, and the supply chain, exploring both challenges and opportunities, and how it’s being implemented in practice.
- Chair: Louisa Finlay, Chief People Officer, Kier Group
- Cllr Abi Brown OBE – Stoke City Council; Chair of LGA Improvement and Innovation Board
- John Simons, Chair of the National Association of Construction Frameworks and Group Procurement Director at SCAPE
- Dr Steven Brunning, Legal Director, Public Procurement, Addleshaw Goddard
- Clive Pople, Pre-Construction Director, Kier Places
This session is sponsored by Kier.
Vibrant communities are about so much more than housing and the built environment. Through initiatives like Building for a Healthy Life and the Long-Term Housing Plan, Government’s focus is on more than 1.5 million homes, it is about creating safe, inclusive, and vibrant communities. When we get it right, with quality homes, active lifestyles, social cohesion and a real drive to improve health outcomes, we can build healthier, happier, more prosperous communities.
- Chair: David Bridges, Managing Director – Regeneration, Kier Property
- Lord Andrew Mawson, 360 Degree Society
- Donna Nolan, Chief Executive, Watford Borough Council
- Sammie Steele, Managing Director, Greater London, Places for People
- Amir Hussain, CEO, Community AI
- Sarah Hordern, Chair, NHS Homes Alliance and CEO, Perspicio
This session is sponsored by Kier.
With the role of Metro Mayors expanding across the country to encompass more rural areas, join us to hear from Metro Mayor David Skaith and the Shadow Secretary of State for MHCLG, Kevin Hollinrake, where they will discuss how rural areas can contribute to Labour’s Industrial strategy, drive economic growth and deliver for their residents.
- David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire
- Kevin Hollinrake MP
- Sarah McKee, Cratus Group
Join us to discover how integrating nature-based solutions from the start of design can create climate-resilient spaces. This panel will discuss the connection between green infrastructure and climate resilience, showcasing real-world case studies. We’ll cover tools to measure environmental net gain and consider regenerative design’s lifecycle impact on nature. We’ll also examine how this approach could influence future industry trends and behaviours.
- Chair: Mike Harris (Director, Greengage)
- Morgan Taylor, Director, Greengage
- Becky Ritchie, Head of Sustainability, Clarion Housing Group
- Roger Hoare, Director of Environment, West Of England Combined Authority
This session is sponsored by Greengage.
Join us for an insightful and topical conversation between Julian Richer, retailer, author and philanthropist, Ian McDermott, CEO of Peabody and Darren Rodwell, founder and director of Inclusive Growth Consultancy and former Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council. The discussion will delve into the principles of inclusive growth, with a focus on the methodology and framework that enabled Darren’s transformative achievements in Barking and Dagenham.
- Chair: Sarah McKee, Cratus Group
- Julian Richer, Retailer, author and philanthropist
- Darren Rodwell, Director, Inclusive Growth Consultancy
- Ian McDermott, CEO, Peabody
This session is powered by Cratus Group.
Hosted by George Parker, political editor of the Financial Times, this drinks reception will celebrate 125 years of Clarion Housing Group. As the UK’s largest social housing provider, Clarion and its housebuilding arm Latimer continues to be instrumental in tackling the housing crisis and delivering new affordable homes at scale.
- George Parker, Political Editor of The Times
- Richard Cook, Chief Development Officier of Clarion Housing Group
This event is invite only. Please email [email protected] if you would like to attend.
Join our UKREiiF 2025 morning networking runs with fellow property and construction professionals. Hosted by Property Sports Network.
Join the BAME Planners Network and Women in Planning to explore how inclusive cultures can improve recruitment and retention in planning. Hear from Marsha Ramroop, expert and founder of Unheard Voice, followed by a panel including Rebecca Hilton (Eden), and Rob Krzyszowski (Haringey Council). The event is organised by Samer Bagaeen, Ransford Stewart, and Charlotte Morphet.
- Marsha Ramroop, Founder of Unheard Voice
- Rebecca Hilton, Associate Director at Eden Planning
- Rob Krzyszowski, Assistant Director Planning, Building Standards & Sustainability, Haringey Council
This event is supported by Cratus Group.
Devolution aims to bring decision-making closer to communities, but will it solve the UK’s housing crisis? With metro mayors taking on more responsibility for planning and housing, this panel will explore devolution’s successes and challenges. What lessons can be learned from areas like London, and how can devolution unlock affordable homes? Join us to discuss the future of housing policy and its impact on communities.
- Chair: Eve Roodhouse, Director of Policy and Strategy at the Local Government Association
- Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing
- Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer at Clarion Housing Group
This session is sponsored by Latimer by Clarion Housing Group.
Housing development isn’t just about building homes – it’s about creating thriving communities. How can local authorities, as leaders of place, work with housebuilders to ensure long-term social value? This private roundtable will bring together local government leaders and private sector delivery partners to discuss best practices for partnership working and how to measure real impact.
Attendees include:
- Chair: Nick Kilby, Cratus Group
- Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer of Clarion Housing Group
- Cllr John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council
- Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development on Southwark Council
- Cllr Una O’Halloran, Leader of Islington Council
- Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of LGA and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council
- Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Council
- Andrew Greenwood, Deputy Chief Exec at Leeds Building Society
- Matt Bell, Director of Strategic Communications at Heatherwick Studio
Cllr Jonathan Pryor, Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Sustainable Development - Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor of Hackney
- Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council
- Stephanie Burras, Chief Executive and Founder of Ahead Partnership
- Dr Ana McMillin, Director of Architecture at Broadway Malyan
This private roundtable is sponsored by Latimer by Clarion Housing Group.
Please contact [email protected] if you are from a local authority and are interested in attending this roundtable event.
This panel will explore the growing importance of integrating nature into your ESG strategy. We’ll move beyond land ownership, recognising the need to consider our relationship with nature across the value chain. Key topics include embodied nature impact, new EU reporting requirements under the CSRD, and disclosure frameworks like TNFD. Join us to explore how these shifts are reshaping business practices and driving environmental change.
- Chair: Mitch Cooke, Director, Greengage
- Morgan Taylor, Director, Greengage
- Sarah Ratcliffe, CEO, Better Buildings Partnerships
This session is sponsored by Greengage.
The Government is introducing a new era of strategic planning in England, focusing on sub-regional Spatial Development Strategies for housing, infrastructure, health, and climate. Prior + Partners, with Catriona Riddell, formed the Strategic Planning Group (SPG) to offer recommendations on growth and resilience. This panel will discuss the SPG’s insights, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and how Combined Authorities can drive growth, infrastructure, and investment.
This session is sponsored by Prior + Partners.
Discover how digital twin technology is shaping the future of sustainable communities across the UK. We’ll explore its potential across the asset lifecycle, from design to operation. Expert panellists will share pioneering examples of how digital twinning can impact communities, support Net Zero Carbon goals, deliver energy savings, and drive efficiencies in building design, construction, and operation.
- Chair: Rebecca Boundy, Public Sector Director, Kier Construction
- Amrita Dasgupta Shekhar, Head of ESG and Net Zero, Greengage Environmental Ltd
- Cllr Peter Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes City Council
- James Franklin, Digital Twins Project Director, Kier Construction
- Steven Boyd MBE, former Chief Executive of the Government Property Agency
This session is sponsored by Kier.
Join the Cratus Group team for a special Chamberlain Lecture Interview with Cllr Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council and vice-Chair of the LGA. Cratus Group CEO Nick Kilby will sit down with Cllr Bentley for an insightful conversation on leadership, local government, and the challenges shaping Essex’s future. Don’t miss this exclusive discussion!
- Cllr Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council and Vice-Chair of the Local Government Association
- Nick Kilby, CEO of Cratus Group
Two powerhouse podcasts – Planning After Dark and Our World is Local – collide for a special UKREiiF live recording. Expect bold insights, lively debate, and expert voices tackling the biggest challenges in planning and local government. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation with hosts Catriona Riddel, Jackie Sadek, Alex Notay, Heather Jameson, and Cratus CEO Nick Kilby.
- Catriona Riddel, Director – Catriona Riddell & Associates
- Jackie Sadek, Director at Rural and Urban Strategic
- Alex Notay, Housing and placemaking expert
- Heather Jameson, Editor of the MJ
- Nick Kilby, CEO of Cratus Group
Join us right after the Mega-Podcast Crossover LIVE with Planning After Dark and Our World is Local for a drinks celebrating planning in local government.
Connect with industry leaders over drinks, fresh ideas, and big conversations sparked by the day’s bold insights.
The legendary Cratus Group Disco returns to UKREiiF 2025. Get ready to dance the night away! Join industry professionals for a groovy night of music, dance and pure fun – prepare to be transported to a world of disco magic in this lively venue.
Join our UKREiiF 2025 morning networking runs with fellow property and construction professionals. Hosted by Property Sports Network.
The Tai ar y Cyd Pattern Book, developed for housing associations in Wales, shows that standardisation can deliver high-performance homes at scale without compromising place-making or sustainability. This session will explore the economic and practical benefits of a shared design standard, including de-risking procurement, accelerating delivery, and strengthening local industries. We’ll discuss how these principles could be applied across the UK to deliver sustainable housing.
- Rob Wheaton, Associate Director, Stride Treglown
- Louise Attwood, Executive Director for Development, Trivallis
- Jeff Endean at CAST
- Steve Cranston, Project Lead at Welsh Government
- Elizabeth Rapoport, Director at Polygon Strategy
This session is sponsored by Stride Treglown.
Join Darren Rodwell, founder of the Inclusive Growth Consultancy and former Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, for a hands-on workshop on his proven approach to Inclusive Growth.
Drawing on a decade of experience leading major regeneration projects, Darren will share practical steps to make growth inclusive, fair, sustainable, and community-led, ensuring long-term impact.
Book your place now for a hands-on session with Darren.
