Ahead of leading real estate conference, UKREiiF, North East England has launched its three-day event programme, profiling key sector strengths and an extensive pipeline of new development opportunities.
From 19-21 May 2026, South Tyneside Council and the Port of Tyne will join a delegation of public and private sector organisations to showcase the strengths of the region and ambitions for the future to an audience of property investors, developers, occupiers, and decision makers at conference, with the aim of accelerating investment and growth.
Led by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, the collective effort will reflect a shared determination to drive long-term growth and will profile an investment portfolio of more than £14 billion new development opportunities.
From supercharging the region’s creative industries, doubling the number of green energy jobs in the region to 50,000, unlocking multi-billion-pound clean energy investments, creating an affordable world-class public transport network, and establishing a pioneering AI Growth Zone set to create over 5,000 jobs and attract a further £30 billion in investment — North East England is becoming the real home of opportunity.
The programme of events will showcase how public and private businesses work effectively to break down barriers and unlock new development, making North East England a region where it is easy to invest and develop new opportunities – and where investment makes a real difference.
Matt Beaton, Chief Executive of the Port of Tyne will join The Green Energy Revolution: Scale of investment opportunity on Tuesday 19 May 2026 from 1:30 pm. This discussion will highlight the role of strategic investment in the North East’s clean‑energy transition, with a focus on how financial institutions, the public sector and industry are collaborating to accelerate investment and create high‑quality green jobs.
John Scott, South Tyneside Council’s Head of Strategic Investment and Growth will be taking part in the Connecting Riversides and Regenerating Places panel discussion on Wednesday 20th May from 12 noon. This session will explore how riverside development can unlock growth and build communities with experts from across the industry, academia and the public sector.
The programme will provide a platform to connect with global decision-makers and industry leaders. Speakers on the programme from Lloyds Banking Group, BBC, British Property Federation, Office for Investment, QTS, Homes England, British Esports Federation and more will provide key insights and fresh perspectives.
Since its launch in 2022, UKREiiF has grown into one of the UK’s largest investment gatherings, attracting more than 16,000 attendees each year. It provides a platform for cities and regions to showcase and unveil new development schemes and attract investment.
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said:
“North East England is a region where we make it easy to invest and develop new opportunities – and where investment makes a real difference.
“The banks of the Rivers Tyne and Wear are the sites of the most ambitious programme of urban regeneration in the UK, in the cities of Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham.
“Meanwhile our unique location facing the North Sea and strengths in advanced manufacturing are attracting billions of new investment in green energy and AI.
“For us, investment today is not just about the buildings, it’s about the people that make our region special: their talent, their ambition, creativity and skills. That’s how we are creating the home of real opportunity. We make things happen fast through public and private businesses working as a team to unlock new development.
“We’ve got a brand-new energy, and we don’t do things quietly, so I invite everyone to come and see what’s going on in the North East at UKREiiF.”
The delegation to date includes Arup, FaulknerBrowns, Legends Global, Universities North East England, Atkins Realis, Avison Young, British Esport, Kada Research, Knight Frank, Muse, Newcastle International Airport, North East Housing Partnership, Pegasus Group, Robertson Group, Square One Law, The Glasshouse, Urban Foresight, Ward Hadaway, Port of Tyne and WSP.
Explore the North East England UKREiiF event programme here: https://ukreiif.investnortheastengland.co.uk/
If you’re attending the event and would like to connect, please get in touch at business@southtyneside.gov.uk
