UKREiiF 2026 provided a significant platform for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to showcase ambition, alignment and long-term commitment to inclusive growth. Across a series of high-profile sessions at the East Midlands Pavilion, the region presented a clear and coordinated investment offer, underpinned by strong public and private sector collaboration, in partnership with Invest in Nottingham, the Team Nottingham delegation and the East Midlands Combined County Authority.
A major highlight was the launch of the Nottingham City Vision 2050, setting out how the city will grow, connect and thrive over the next 25 years. Built around three guiding principles, Home, Heart, Host, the Vision provides a long-term framework for sustainable development, stronger communities and a more vibrant city centre economy.
From new homes and greener neighbourhoods to a strengthened innovation ecosystem and enhanced visitor experience, the Vision sets out an ambitious and joined-up approach to city growth that works for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
The Vision was showcased during ‘Nottingham’s Next Chapter: Investment, Innovation and a 2050 Vision’, featuring Nottingham Council Leader Neghat Khan, Chief Executive of Nottingham City Council Sajeeda Rose, Mayor Claire Ward, and Vicky Evans, Director of Cities Planning and Design at Arup. The session set out Nottingham’s long-term regeneration pipeline and the importance of sustained collaboration across public and private sectors to deliver growth.
A further key highlight was ‘Nottinghamshire: Development Opportunities 2026–29′, which provided a detailed look at the Nottinghamshire County Council Land Development Programme 2026–2029. The session, hosted by Invest in Nottingham, in Partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, brought together Michael Wayne Bexton of Nottinghamshire County Council, Andrea Hopkins of Arc Partnership, and Councillor James Walker-Gurley to explore the ambition behind the £200m land prospectus, delivered in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council and Arc Partnership.
The programme sets out tangible opportunities for partners to collaborate on place shaping at scale across Nottinghamshire, with a strong focus on regeneration, housing delivery and long-term economic growth. Last year alone, the programme supported the delivery of over 1,000 new homes across 10 sites, with continued momentum now driving the next phase of strategic development opportunities across the county.A further important session for our region, ‘Trent Sports District: From Touchline to Bottom Line’, explored how sport-led regeneration is becoming a major driver of growth across the East Midlands. The session highlighted the Trent Sports District as a key component of the wider Trent Arc vision, bringing together nationally significant sporting assets including Nottingham Forest Football Club’s City Ground, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and the National Water Sports Centre.
Led by the East Midlands Combined County Authority and supported by consultancy partner Gleeds, the emerging regeneration framework will set out a long-term vision for sport-led growth, improved connectivity and place-based investment. The district aims to unlock new homes, jobs, tourism and commercial opportunities, while enhancing walking, cycling and public transport links across the city and riverside corridor.
Mayor Claire Ward described the Trent Sports District as a “flagship opportunity for sport-led regeneration, highlighting its potential to improve quality of life, increase access to sport and attract significant inward investment.”
The session also reinforced the importance of inclusive growth, ensuring local communities benefit through skills, employment and improved access to opportunity, alongside enhanced facilities for both elite and grassroots sport.
More broadly, the discussion formed part of a wider narrative across the programme around the Trent Arc, which connects and amplifies these opportunities across the Nottingham–Derby corridor. This emerging vision unlocks the region from one side to the other and highlights the future potential for homes, jobs and innovation across one of the UK’s most strategically important growth corridors.
In ‘Futureproofing Nottingham’, delegates were invited to explore how the city is strengthening long-term resilience through sustainability, regeneration and place-based investment. The interactive session highlighted how Nottingham is embedding environmental, social and economic priorities into its growth strategy to ensure long-term competitiveness and liveability.
A notable moment within the programme was a visit from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, who toured the East Midlands Pavilion with Mayor Claire Ward and met regional leaders. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the scale of investment activity underway across Nottingham and the wider East Midlands, reinforcing the region’s national significance in driving economic growth.
Across all discussions, there was a consistent focus on unity, stability and delivery, with strong alignment between Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and East Midlands Combined County Authority in presenting a coordinated and investable regional offer.
These conversations built on wider themes running through the pavilion programme, including regeneration, innovation, infrastructure and long-term place shaping, with the Invest in Nottingham and Team Nottingham delegation playing a central role in convening partners, showcasing opportunity and strengthening the region’s investment narrative.
Invest in Nottingham extends its thanks to all partners and stakeholders who contributed to the delegation and discussions. Special thanks go to headline partner E.ON UK for their continued support, alongside Arup, Bassetlaw District Council and Invest in Bassetlaw, BWB Consulting, Cartwright, CPMG Architects, Freeths, Galliford Try, Geldards LLP, Langcroft, Maber Architects, North Notts BID, and SCAPE.
A particular thank you to the East Midlands Combined County Authority for hosting and supporting the East Midlands Pavilion and enabling such a strong platform for regional collaboration and visibility.
UKREiiF 2026 has reinforced Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s position as a region with a clear vision, strong partnerships and a deliverable pipeline of opportunity. Invest in Nottingham’s aims are to build on the momentum generated, working with partners to convert ambition into investment and delivery.
🔗 Read more and download the full Nottingham Vision document: http://lnkd.in/eSi5Te3e
🔗 Register your interest in contributing to the development of Broad Marsh: https://pub.savills.com/BroadMarsh-RegisterInterest
🔗 Learn more about the Trent Arc: https://lnkd.in/dkvSKztE
🔗 Learn more about the Trent Sports District: https://bit.ly/4wSrr2v
Posted on 27 May 2026
