Investors and developers urged to choose Norfolk at major real estate event

More than 16,000 professionals from national and local government, investors, developers, end-users and the wider built environment industry will be attending UKREiiF 2025 - the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum - at the Royal Armouries Museum and New Dock in Leeds from 20-22 May.  

Norfolk County Council is one of more than 275 councils hoping that conversations held during the conference and at its promotional stand branded 'Ambitious for Norfolk', will result in investors and businesses being lured to the county.  

A website has been launched to promote a range of commercial property opportunities that are available across the county and the investment potential offered by Norwich and Great Yarmouth.  

Cllr Kay Mason Billig, Leader of the Council, and Cllr Andrew Jamieson, Deputy Leader, will be in attendance, along with the council's Inward Investment team. Norfolk County Council is exhibiting at the event in partnership with Norwich City Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council and will be presented with an award as a Sustainable Champion of UKREiiF 2025.   

Facts about Norfolk's economy with which they hope to tempt investors include:

• Significant investments in clean energy, with £39 billion forecasted over the next 20 years. 
• Home to Norwich Research Park a globally leading centre in scientific research and innovation. 
• Manufacturing represents 10.4% of the region's GVA total output - above the national average of 9.4%. 
• Norfolk has a better-than-average survival rate for new businesses, with 63% of businesses surviving after three years compared to the UK average of 56%.  

Cllr Mason Billig said: "We have big ambitions for Norfolk in terms of playing a leading role in UK PLC, whether that's in our transition to clean energy or globally significant research in life sciences. 

"UKREiiF is a brilliant opportunity to showcase to innovating businesses the growing clusters we have in key sectors like advanced manufacturing and digital technology, and to developers our plans for housing growth and better infrastructure."  

Cllr Carli Harper, Cabinet Member for Major Projects at Norwich City Council, said: "This will be Norwich City Council's first appearance at UKREiiF and we're determined to make a big noise about the city becoming known as one of England's hottest investment opportunities. 

"We're an ambitious council determined to make things happen and attract investment from developers and investors who share our ambition to deliver meaningful and sustainable regeneration and make Norwich not only one of England's finest but fairest cities." 

Councillor Carl Smith, Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, commented: ''The UKREiiF event is an excellent opportunity to showcase the huge potential of Great Yarmouth. As England's offshore capital, the borough is uniquely placed for forward-thinking companies and investors to reap the benefits of the billions of pounds of investment in the region's offshore sector and clean energy.  

"With its long-established energy industry, impressive supply chain networks, the Operations and Maintenance Campus under construction and the Energy Skills Centre at East Coast College, Great Yarmouth means business. UKREiiF is a chance to speak to investors directly about why they should look to Great Yarmouth and its bright, ambitious future.'' 

To discover more about Ambitious for Norfolk visit Ambitious for Norfolk.

For more information about the event, visit UKREiiF - The UK's Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum.

Published: 21 May 2025