BOOK NOW | Yorkshire Emerging Development Hotspots returns to Leeds
Leading figures from local government and construction from across all of Yorkshire’s four regions will speak at Place Yorkshire’s half-day conference on 25 March, discussing the county’s next big places and projects to watch.
What makes an area ready for regeneration and where are the next places to know about? This conference will address both of these topics, with presentations from Bradford, Hull, Sheffield, York, and Leeds councils, as well as a panel with speakers from Caddick Construction, Civic Engineers, Spawforths, and AECOM.
Emerging Hotspots is aimed at those who want to stay ahead of the curve, whether that’s advisers, investors, developers, or consultants who want to uncover the next great opportunity to add value in the Yorkshire.
As well as presentations and panel discussions, there will be plenty of networking breaks throughout the conference, which will take place from 8-12 on 25 March.
Speakers confirmed so far:
- DAVID SHEPHERD, BRADFORD COUNCIL | David oversees regeneration, transport, planning, highways, economic development, communities, sports, and culture at Bradford Council. David has a proven track-record in economic development and the delivery of transformational, nationally significant infrastructure and regeneration projects.
- KATH WYNNE HAGUE, HULL CITY COUNCIL | Since 2007, Kath has worked within local government, leading transformation and systems change, working across cultural development including cultural capital development, engagement and education, visitor economy, inclusive growth strategies for creative industries and events management.
- GARRY TAYLOR, CITY OF YORK COUNCIL | Garry leads York’s City Development directorate, driving forward strategic regeneration initiatives, inward investment, and sustainable growth to ensure York remains a thriving and inclusive city. He has over 25 years of extensive experience in local government, urban regeneration, and place-making in which he has overseen over £400 million in public-private capital investment programmes.
- MARK MILLS, LEEDS CITY COUNCIL | Mark’s career spans over twenty years in Local Government, delivering a wide range of regeneration and real estate projects. Mark is passionate about place leadership and sustainable development and has been instrumental in the planning and delivery of many housing growth and economic development schemes which have delivered transformational change for the city, communities and residents.
- SEAN MCCLEAN, SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL | Sean leads on delivering development and regeneration activity across Sheffield, including the City Council's £400m Heart of the City programme. Sean is a member of the Sheffield Together Partnership, a collaboration with Homes England and key partners involved in Housing delivery in the City, and is responsible for the production of the Council’s Housing Growth Delivery Plan.
- LEAH STUART, CIVIC ENGINEERS | Specialising in transport, traffic, movement and street design, Leah has more than 22 years' experience in urban regeneration. She has a keen interest in the public realm and making active travel an easy and accessible choice for everyone. Currently working on multiple exciting projects at city, masterplan and plot scale, she also sits on the Design Yorkshire and Places Matter Review Panels, Chairs the Leeds Chamber of Commerce Quality Places and Spaces Group, as well sitting on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Climate, Energy & Environment Committee.
- STEVE FORD, CADDICK | Steve joined Caddick Construction in 2024 and has over two decades of experience in the industry. Steve spent 12 years in main contracting before moving into a development director role for eight years. His broad expertise spans a wide spectrum of sectors including; commercial, education, major infrastructure, retail/F&B, industrial and manufacturing sectors, as well as residential and heritage buildings.
- JOANNA VAN DER VEEN, AECOM | Joanna has a wide range of experience creating and delivering strategic engagement strategies for complex infrastructure projects, putting people at the heart of development. Joanna specialises in complex transport schemes, with a particular focus on rail, active travel, and public transport. She is passionate about inclusivity and accessibility, and how stakeholder perspectives can be used to build projects that better meet the needs of local communities.
