“Optimism abounds” as ULI conference returns to London
In an exclusive interview with Real Asset Media, Imogen Thompson, executive director of ULI UK, outlines why the Urban Land Institute is bringing its major conference back to London between 16–19 June and what attendees can expect from the four-day programme.
“London is a particularly interesting city at the moment, given its current global inward investment perspective and how people are looking at London in terms of the growth story,” she explains. “The UK has an amazing growth agenda. Optimism abounds in terms of where we want to get to.”
She highlights the need to address challenges as well: “The challenge is how we get there. And that’s something that we really wanted to highlight when we’re coming back to the capital in the UK.”
From macroeconomic headwinds to forward-looking solutions, the conference will cover pressing topics across real estate and urban development.
“We’re going through a period of transition as an industry at the moment,” Thompson notes. “What our conference is looking at are those macroeconomic headwinds, what the challenges currently are, but most importantly, how we also take that forward as solutions and applications within our industry.”
Key speakers include Bronwen Maddox (chief executive, Chatham House), Rebecca Dibb-Simkin (chief marketing officer, Octopus Energy), and Gideon Rachman (chief foreign affairs columnist, Financial Times).
“We’re really bringing together great minds, talking about not just the challenges that we’re facing, but also where we need to get to as an industry and what those solutions may look like.” The week also includes major research launches — such as the “C Change for Housing” initiative on affordable housing — and site tours of transformative London projects like Canada Water, Canary Wharf, and King’s Cross.
“We have an innovation summit where you’ll get to meet with some of the hottest startups in our industry,” she adds.
There will also be dedicated forums for young leaders, designed to support skills development and early-career opportunities.
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