UKREiiF 2025: Roundup

What does it mean to be part of the conversation around place, and shaping it for the future?

That’s the question Creative Director, Tanisha Raffiuddin, explored at this year’s UKREiiF, where voices from across the built environment came together to discuss the future of people, place, and planet. Over three packed days in Leeds, we immersed ourselves in talks, panels, and spontaneous conversations that stretched from inclusive design to climate justice, cultural placemaking to housing delivery. Between sessions, we recorded powerful micro interviews for an upcoming episode of the Talking Place Podcast, capturing the energy and purpose that defines UKREiiF.

Kristofer Adelaide recording an interview for the Talking Place podcast.

In this blog, we share Tanisha’s personal highlights from the event, and the moments that challenged, inspired, and engaged.

Lets get cultural: Uniting towns and cities through investing in the arts

Tanisha chaired the ‘Let’s Get Cultural’ panel, a layered conversation that challenged the notionof culture as a ‘nice to have’ and instead positioned it as critical infrastructure for thriving towns and cities.

The session brought together diverse voices:

Laura Dyer, Deputy Chief Executive, of Arts Council England called for investment models that are place-specific and rooted in community voice;
Sarah James, Head of Culture and Creative Economy, from the West of England Combined Authority showcased how heritage and innovation are reshaping developments in their region;
Anthea Harries, Asset Management Director, of Related Argent reflected on how developers can balance cultural value with commercial return, sharing lessons from King’s Cross;
Aida Berhamovic, Director of Estates, of the Royal College of Music highlighted the role of cultural institutions in building climate-resilient neighbourhoods and accessible creative spaces citing insights from their campus in South Kensington.

Across the board, the panel agreed: embedding arts and culture into urban development isn’t a luxury, it’s a strategy for social cohesion, local identity, and inclusive economic growth.

(L TO R): Tanisha Raffiuddin, Sarah James, Laura Dyer, Anthea Harris, Aida Berhamovic

Social Infrastructure 2050 - Are towns and cities laying the right foundations?

In the ‘Social Infrastructure 2050’ panel, chaired by Tanisha, the conversation looked boldly toward the future by asking not just what we’re building, but who we’re building it for.

The session brought together a dynamic cross-sector lineup:

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, made the case for ensuring rural and smaller towns are not left behind in the race to future-proof our infrastructure;
Nick Small, Head of Built Environment and Infrastructure, of the Go Ahead Group discussed how integrated transport must evolve to serve everyone, everywhere;
Sara Wajid, Co-CEO, of Birmingham Museums Trust advocated for culture to be recognised as vital social infrastructure and have a seat at the decision making table;
Will Stratton-Morris, Chief Executive, of Caffè Nero explored the private sector’s role in creating social value in our high streets, declaring that the high street is not dead.
Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, delivered a powerful reminder that safety must be co-designed with communities; and that we must engage with young people where they consume content, even if it means being on Tik Tok.

The message was clear: resilient, inclusive infrastructure for 2050 demands collaboration across public, private, and civic life — with equity, culture, and identity placed firmly at its core.

(Top L to R): Mayor David Skaith, Will Stratton-Morris, Nick Small, PCC Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, (Bottom L to R): Tanisha Raffiuddin, Sara Wajid

Leaving a legacy – Long-term stewardship and social value

In the ‘Leaving a Legacy’ panel on long-term stewardship and social value hosted by Vistry Group at their ‘Partnership’ pavilion,, Tanisha joined a diverse group of experts to tackle one of the sector’s most pressing questions: how do we ensure the 1.5 million homes being built across the UK become thriving, inclusive communities for the long haul?

Chaired by Kelly Hillman (Director of Land & Place, Vistry Group), the panel featured insights from Matthew Morgan (Founder, Quality of Life Foundation), Charlotte Olver (Head of Social Value, Vistry Group), and Jon Irvine (Development Director, Homes England). Discussions ranged from redefining what stewardship truly means, and who it's for, to the challenge of embedding cultural legacy, not just physical infrastructure, into new developments.

Tanisha raised the question- ‘What is the opposite of stewardship?’ It is neglect and abandonment. We should be thinking today about the cultural capital and social infrastructure that will become part of our identities for the next generations to come. This is the intangible value we can deliver as custodians of the places of tomorrow.

From aligning public and private ambition to rethinking funding models and accountability, the message was clear that community stewardship is the foundation for building trust between developers and communities to deliver lasting social value.

(L to R): Matthew Morgan, Jon Irvine, Tanisha Raffiuddin, Kelly Hillman, Charlotte Olver

UK's Most Talked About Cities Roundtable

Hosted by Lucie Murray and Lauren Teague from ING Media at the Bradford City Council showcase, this roundtable explored how major cultural moments shape the digital visibility of UK cities. Liverpool took second place inING’s ‘Most Talked About Cities’ index afterLondon for the second year running, thanks in part to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. The tour gave host cities an average 4% boost in online visibility, with international audiences driving much of the uplift. The discussion highlighted a key learning: global culture has the power to transform local narratives. During the discussion, Tanisha highlighted that cities that align their placemaking and place marketing strategies with major events can amplify their reach far beyond their borders. Collaborating with micro influencers (particularly on Tik Tok) can lead to fruitful campaigns, enabling you to reach a much more engaged audience.

You can readthe ING Media report here.

Connections, Culture, and Karaoke

Beyond the panels and roundtables, UKREiiF was a whirlwind of connection, creativity, and karaoke. Tanisha kicked things off with the FFW dinner, co-hosted with Jay Morton and generously sponsored by Bell Phillips, bringing together brilliant women from across the industry for a warm and inspiring start.

From three powerhouse panels to grabbing podcast sound bites for Talking Place, our UKREiiF schedule was packed. Between the Thames Estuary Growth Board’s charity karaoke (where UKREiiF Managing Director Nathan Spencer earned honorary Spice Girl status), the now-legendary LDN Collective After Party hosted by Max Farrell, and a delicious‘curry’ lunch hosted by Bradford Council, the energy of the conference never dipped.

As Tanisha puts it, losing her voice at the end of the week was a sign of a good conference. UKREiiF 2025 wrapped with a deep sense of optimism and momentum, and a collective commitment to building places that work for everyone.

Roll on UKREiiF 2026!

Curious to hear more voices and insights from this year's UKREiiF?

Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube to hear Tanisha Raffiuddin speak with attendees from the conference about the next big ideas shaping our places.

Stay connected with us on Talking Place’s Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, and TikTok for updates on upcoming episodes, where Tanisha talks with experts across the built environment. From placemaking and branding to sustainability, finance, health, culture, and more, each episode shares valuable insights and practical advice to help inspire your place-based projects and initiatives.

Are you looking for advice on how to create an engaging story for your place?

If you need help defining your target audience, developing your place narrative, expressing your place story, or ensuring your story reaches your audience, please get in touch. We’d love to offer you tailored branding and marketing support to grow and elevate your place brand through the power of storytelling.

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