The organisers of UKREiiF have confirmed the annual real estate and infrastructure event will move to Liverpool from 2028.
The sixth and final Leeds edition will take place at the Royal Armouries from 18–20 May next year before moving to its new home at the Liverpool Experience Campus.
The organisers said the Liverpool campus enables the event to keep expanding and the city offers a wide choice of accommodation for UKREiiF delegates.
Nathan Spencer, co-founding director and managing director of UKREiiF, said: “This isn’t a story about leaving Leeds; it’s a story about celebrating everything that Leeds and West Yorkshire has helped UKREiiF become – without the region and the people within it the event wouldn’t have been as successful. When we launched UKREiiF, we wanted to create an event that challenged convention and put collaboration, investment and opportunity at the heart of the UK’s built environment.
“Leeds gave us the platform, the confidence and the partnership to do exactly that. That legacy will always belong to Leeds and West Yorkshire, and we’ll continue to be based here with the region holding such a brilliant talent pool that will help us continue our growth – both within the UK and overseas, which starts with our first event in Australia in 2027.”
James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, added: “UKREiiF’s presence in our city has been a resounding success story, delivering significant economic benefits of around £75m for the economy and raising our profile on a national and international stage. We are immensely proud to have played a part in its remarkable growth, from a local startup founded here in Leeds to its current position as the largest property and investor conference in the UK.
“Working alongside the UKREiiF team has been a true partnership and pleasure. Seeing the Royal Armouries transformed each May and welcoming thousands of delegates from across the UK and the world has been a privilege. It’s great to see the conference staying in the North, and we look forward to working with other cities to continue to press the case for investment and growth across our regions.
“UKREiiF has helped to prove the unique ability of conferencing here in Leeds, with many more larger scale conferences committing to Leeds as a result, and we are excited to now work together with the Royal Armouries towards accelerating the vision for the next generation conference and exhibition centre which will see a significant upgrade in capacity and visitor experience over the next few years.”
Nat Edwards, director general and master of the Armouries, said: “It has been a privilege to host UKREiiF here at the Royal Armouries for six remarkable years. What began as a bold new addition to the UK’s events calendar has grown into one of the most influential forums in the country, and we are proud of the role our venue and our team have played in that story.
“The economic impact for Leeds and the region has been significant, and UKREiiF has helped demonstrate the genuine potential of this waterfront campus as a destination for events of the very highest calibre. We wish UKREiiF every success in its next chapter and also look forward with enormous excitement to our own. The Royal Armouries Waterfront project will create a world class venue that will attract the next generation of major events to Leeds for decades to come.”
Matt Christie, co-founding director and director of external affairs at UKREiiF, added: “We’re enormously grateful to the whole West Yorkshire community and would like to thank them for their support in making UKREiiF into what it has become. I’d also like to look forward and mention our next host destination – Liverpool – which will take the reins from 2028. The proposition we’ve created alongside them is excellent and will keep the ‘festivalisation’ and vibe which makes UKREiiF what it is, and we look forward to showcasing what we’re set to bring to Liverpool over the coming months.”
Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire said: “We have loved having UKREiiF in Leeds, it was born here, and I hope it comes back home soon. We have proven that we are the best place in the UK to start and grow a business, and it has been great to welcome people from across the country to strike investment deals, while showing what our great city and region has to offer. I am proud that we have nurtured this internationally significant event that is now offered to the country, and to the world, and I look forward to seeing how it evolves.”
