Day 1 Recap: Transforming Government Property at UKREiiF!

Yesterday was an incredible day at the Transforming Government Property pavilion! We heard from our senior leaders on a range of topics critical to shaping the future of the UK’s built environment.

Here are some key takeaways from the sessions:

Breaking Down Barriers:

• Mark Bourgeois , our CEO, emphasised the importance of creating a culture of belonging and inclusion as a leader. This includes focusing on equality and inclusion as a long-term strategy, not just a response to current pressures.
• Clive Anderson , our Capital Projects Director, briefly took the microphone to answer some audience questions on neurodiverse design in the workplace, highlighting the public sector's leadership in this space.

Achieving Local Visions, Place Making in Practice:

• Pat Ritchie CBE, our Chair, stressed the importance of early collaboration with communities for successful public space development. She also highlighted the need for stronger local-central government partnerships for long-term success. And passionately spoke about how public spaces are about more than just housing - they are about the future of our cities and towns.

Smaller, Better and Greener:

• Clive discussed the government's push to get people back in the office. Workplaces need to offer more than what people can get at home – emphasising collaboration, belonging, and sustainability.

Better Outcomes, Better Places:

• Ronen Journo , Senior Managing Director, European Head of Management Services at Hines and one of our Non-Executive Directors championed the importance of partnerships and highlighted the need to define success beyond the contract.
• It was evident the panel were all passionate about the importance of effective communication and teamwork for successful partnerships.

Unleashing the Power of Civil Service Relocation:

• Ravi Chand CBE QPM FCIPD and Pat emphasised the potential of relocation to drive regional growth. Devolution and stronger local partnerships were identified as key factors for success.

Additional Highlights:

• Lisa Commane (CPFA, BSc Hons) our Chief Operating Officer, spoke about creating Civil Service jobs in the regions, highlighting how regeneration and redevelopments like the Darlington Economic Campus and our headquarters in Birmingham are having a wide impact on local jobs and the economy. And the importance of building sustainable and innovative offices to meet future workforce needs.
• Jason McEwen, CMgr FCMI, MCIOB. , Portfolio & Programme Management Director, discussed the key ingredients for successful government-partnership schemes in the JLL pavilion.
• Miguel Godfrey, Head of Sustainability, joined a private roundtable discussion led by Ramboll on decarbonisaing at scale and speed.
• Mark Bourgeois also joined a roundtable led by Arup discussing the wider challenges of unlocking delivery in the built environment. 

If you didn’t get a chance to join us yesterday, there are many more opportunities to do so today and tomorrow. Hear from us at the Transforming Government Property pavilion, #1 Pavilion Square and talk to our team on our exhibition stand in Royal Armouries Hall, G34.

#UKREiiF #TransformingGovernmentProperty #WeAreGPA