UKREiiF

Led by Charlotte Nicol, Associate Dean, Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange at Teesside University,  this session showcases Middlesbrough’s ambitious vision for growth and innovation. From major regeneration opportunities with developer Capital & Centric to its emergence as a digital powerhouse highlighted by Behaviour, discover why Middlesbrough is fast becoming one of the UK’s most investable and future focused towns.

In this session, Mayor Chris Cooke sets out the town’s strategic direction, with insights from Capital & Centric on live investment opportunities, alongside Behaviour on why Middlesbrough is built for digital growth.

This panel brings together public leadership, private investment and digital innovation as they outline how Middlesbrough is aligning capital, development and tech to drive transformational growth. 

Panel

• Charlotte Nicol, Teesside University (panel facilitator)
• Chris Cooke, Mayor of Middlesbrough
• Debbie Ingoldsby, Strategic Business Growth Manager at Middlesbrough Council
• Behaviour
• Tim Heatly, Capital & Centric

In this exclusive fireside chat Ben Houchen, Mayor of the Tees Valley, sits down with Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive of the Confederation of British Industry, to explore how regional leadership and business can work together to unlock transformational growth.

As devolved powers reshape the economic landscape, mayors are playing an increasingly pivotal role in attracting investment, accelerating regeneration and delivering the infrastructure that underpins productivity. This dynamic discussion will examine how mayoral authorities are driving capital into their regions, how the private sector can actively support and benefit from regional growth strategies, and how stronger partnerships between industry, local leaders and Whitehall can create the enabling infrastructure Britain needs to compete.

Don’t miss out on one of the most influential conversations shaping the UK’s economic future. 

Panel

• Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen 
• Rain Newton-Smith, CEO of CBI 

Hartlepool is fast emerging as one of the UK’s most compelling creative production investment stories. 

At its heart is Northern Studios – the only large-scale studio complex in the North East – but the ambition extends far beyond studio space. Backed by £15million through the region’s £160million Investment Zone and over £18million of additional Government funding, Hartlepool is delivering a flagship Production Village: a purpose-built cluster of studios, production facilities and specialist supply chain space designed to support visiting productions and grow permanent creative businesses.

This is not just a screen story. While film and high-end TV are the flagship, the Village is designed to power the wider production economy – spanning music, podcasting, games and digital content – creating a dynamic environment for investors and developers seeking long-term value in one of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors.

Building on years of partnership working and shared ambition across the North East, Hartlepool will act as both cornerstone and gateway — strengthening regional capacity and helping shift the balance of where content is made in the UK.

This panel session brings together senior leaders and delivery partners including North East Screen, regeneration specialists TIME + SPACE, podcast growth company PodX, and key stakeholders driving the project forward. 

Join us for a first look at detailed plans for the Production Village and the opportunity to understand its scale, ambition and investment potential. 

Panel

• Charlie Kemp, Tees Valley Combined Authority (Chair)
• North East Screen
• Matthew Sherry PodX
• Piers Read, TIME + SPACE
• BBC (panel member TBC)

Home to the £1bn SeAH Wind development at Teesworks - the world’s largest monopile factory - the region is setting the benchmark for large-scale industrial delivery.  

From gigafactories and offshore wind manufacturing to hyperscale data centres, Tees Valley delivers complex capital programmes at pace offering clients certainty, control and market agility 

This drinks reception, sponsored by K2 Construction Management, outlines some of the major opportunities happening in the region

Event sponsored by K2 Construction Management in support of Tees Valley Combined Authority  - Delivering world-leading advanced manufacturing at scale.  

Darlington is one of the UK’s fastest-growing towns. Backed by significant government investment, pioneering innovation and enhanced transport connectivity – including the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Darlington’s Main Line station – the town combines major public funding with world-class research and excellent national and international links.  

Home to the Government’s Economic Campus, Darlington already hosts more than 1,000 civil servants from departments including HM Treasury, the Department for Education and the Department for Business and Trade.  

The town is also home to the Science Innovation Quarter – a dynamic hub of industry and discovery – featuring leading facilities such as the National Horizons Centre, the National Biologics Manufacturing Centre and Innovation Central.  

This milestone event marks the next stage in a new joint venture partnership between Darlington Borough Council and Cityheart. Attendees will meet the developer helping to drive Darlington forward and gain first-hand insight into a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape a thriving, well-connected and future-focused town.  

The signing represents a symbolic and strategic step in delivering Darlington’s transformative regeneration. It confirms the agreement and signals the start of the next phase of work to support long-term economic growth. Darlington Borough Council and Cityheart will share their ambitions to deliver development that creates lasting opportunity, supports local employment and strengthens the local economy.

Panel 

• Rose Rouse, Chief Exec, Darlington Borough Council
• Pauline Crellin, Director, UK Exports, and DBT Head of Location for the Darlington Economic Campus at the Department for Business and Trade
• James Litherland, Development Director, Cityheart
• Tom Bryant, Chief Executive Officer, Tees Valley Combined Authority
• Miri Thomas (Chair) Roland Dransfield PR

Q&A session with Brian Archer Chief Exec RCBC and Matt Christie, Director, UKREiiF.

Over recent years Stockton-on-Tees has undergone a remarkable transformation. The Borough is on the cusp of the biggest regeneration programme of this generation, with the flagship Stockton Waterfront urban park we showcased last year on track for completion in Spring 2026.   

The Waterfront is just part of a wider vision fuelling delivery of massive public and private projects. The Council is embracing its role, investing in the things that unlock and de-risk development: high quality public realm, essential infrastructure, modern procurement approaches, strategic planning and strong partnership working.   

If you want to be part of the next generation of innovation, partnered with a Council that enables innovation and welcomes forward-thinking, the time is now.  

Panel members:   

• Tracey Carter Director of Regeneration and Inclusive Growth 
• Chris Renahan Assistant Director Inclusive Growth and Development  
• Iain Robinson, Assistant Director Town Centre Development  

Discover how you can be part of one of the UK’s most ambitious growth programmes.

Grab a drink and connect with fellow investors and developers as you explore the unparalleled opportunities within the UK’s only digital & creative Investment Zone – backed by £160million of funding for a sector-focused intervention combining capital, innovation, business growth, skills and planning to build a nationally significant cluster.

Led by Tees Valley Combined Authority, with Teesside University as the Partner Research Institution, the Investment Zone is set to accelerate the region’s high-growth digital and creative technology sectors. The programme will support the creation of up to 2,000 new jobs and unlock £175 million in additional private sector investment over the long term.

Tees Valley is home to the fastest-growing digital sector outside London, with world-class businesses spanning digital media, immersive technologies, gaming, design, content creation and the wider creative industries. The Investment Zone builds on these strengths to accelerate high-growth digital and creative businesses, strengthening R&D capability and unlocking long-term private investment at scale.

This reception offers the chance to discuss live opportunities, explore development pipelines, and build strategic partnerships. Representatives from TVCA and Teesside University will be on hand to outline the commercial advantages, funding landscape and collaborative opportunities available.

Event sponsored by Cityheart in support of Tees Valley Combined Authority  - transforming places by delivering bold, sustainable regeneration projects that empower communities and create lasting value.

Fuel your morning with breakfast, networking, and insight! Recap the highlights from recent sessions and explore the Tees Valley’s growth hotspots – from our creative & digital Investment Zone to new developments in Darlington, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Stockton and the innovative Production Village in Hartlepool. Connect, collaborate and be inspired by the region’s future.