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Northern Ireland Development Conference

Thursday, 28th April 2022 0900hrs – 1600hrs

The Autumn Budget of 2021 delivered the largest annual funding settlement to Northern Ireland since devolution, with the UK Government providing a record £15bn per year to the Northern Ireland Executive.

In addition to the record £15bn settlement, the UK government also announced that Northern Ireland will further benefit from UK-wide support for people and businesses, green jobs and investment to level up opportunities. Under UK-wide support there will be a new £1.4bn Global Britain Investment Fund and a record £20bn by 2024-25 in Research and Development supporting innovation in Northern Ireland.

Targeted funding will support local projects across Northern Ireland, including road and infrastructure improvements, investment in local communities and funding for businesses. Included in the targeting funding is a £1.9bn package for farmers and land managers, nearly £50m to be invested in Northern Ireland’s post-pandemic recovery, the establishment of a new trade and investment hub in Belfast to grow trade for Northern Ireland and the continuation on £300m New Deal for Northern Ireland investing in infrastructure and boosting economic growth.

In this conference we will hear from the best and brightest minds of Northern Ireland as they detail their plans to use the aforementioned investment to create a better connected, more innovative, and sustainable nation.

Topics to be discussed:

  • Multi-million pound Belfast Transport Hub
  • Multi-million pound Weaver’s Cross Regeneration Project
  • Belfast’s multi-billion pound regeneration schemes
  • Choice Housing’s 800 homes in 3 years
  • B9 Energy’s 70MW Power-to-X project
  • Net Zero Carbon Roadmap for Belfast
  • Antrim and Newtownabbey’s £25m+ development pipeline
  • ABC Council’s £6.9m Public Realm Schemes
  • 110,000 sq ft Game of Thrones visitor attraction
  • £117m Titanic Quarter mixed-use development
  • 778 new homes in the Titanic Quarter
  • Titanic Quarter’s £60m+ development pipeline
  • DfC’s Urban Regeneration Community Development Policy Framework
  • Invest NI’s Economic Development Priorities
  • Moda Living’s £150m Waterside Scheme
  • Capital Investment Programme for National Museums NI
  • Mayfair Group’s £100m Sustainable Housing Scheme
  • ABC Council’s £6.3m Historic Buildings Restoration Scheme
  • MCG Investments Future Investment Plans
  • £60m Smithfield Yard regeneration

Speakers include:

09:00-09:20 Doors Open & Networking

Enjoy some networking time with those also attending the conference and visit the exhibitors. You’ll have the ability to video chat in our networking lounge with attendees, or visit the exhibition booths.

09:20-10:00 Conference Welcome and Keynote Speaker

Neil McIvor, Northern Ireland’s Regional Manager at the Department of International Trade will open the conference with a welcoming keynote which will include an opportunity for some audience questions.

Department of International Trade; Neil McIvor, Regional Manager – Northern Ireland

10:00-11:00 Session One: How Can We Create a Smarter, Healthier and More Sustainable Northern Ireland?

Leadership from across Northern Ireland come together with developers and other regional stakeholders to explore the needs and priorities of the nation to contribute to a comprehensive ‘levelling up’ strategy.

Chair: (Available to Sponsor)

Translink; Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive Officer

Department for Communities; Mark O’Donnell, Deputy Secretary for Housing, Urban Regeneration and Local Government

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Council; Nicola Wilson, Head of Economic Development

Belfast City Council; Cathy Reynolds, Director of Regeneration and Development

11:00-11:10 Break & Networking

Enjoy some networking time with those also attending the conference and visit the exhibitors. You’ll have the ability to video chat in our networking lounge with attendees, or visit the exhibition booths.

11:10-11:25 Breakout Session: B9 Energy Storage

David Surplus, Managing Director of B9 Energy Storage joins us to showcase his work supporting Northern Ireland’s net zero ambitions.

B9 Energy Storage Ltd; David Surplus, Managing Director

11:25-11:30 Break & Networking

Enjoy some networking time with those also attending the conference and visit the exhibitors. You’ll have the ability to video chat in our networking lounge with attendees, or visit the exhibition booths.

11:30-12:30 Session Two: Net Zero Northern Ireland – What Are The Next Steps To Create a Carbon Neutral Country?

A collection of green innovators will showcase upcoming net zero schemes and initiatives and examine what more Northern Ireland can do to achieve carbon neutrality.

Chair: (Available to Sponsor)

RenewableNI; Steven Agnew, Head

Sustainable NI; Nichola Hughes, Director

Belfast Climate Commission; Professor John Barry, Co-Chair

12:30-13:00 Lunch & Networking

Enjoy some networking time with those also attending the conference and visit the exhibitors. You’ll have the ability to video chat in our networking lounge with attendees, or visit the exhibition booths.

13:00-14:00 Session Three: How Can The Housing and BtR Sectors Contribute to Levelling Up Northern Ireland?; Sponsored by Openreach

The nation’s leading housing association, developers and public sector stakeholder come together the address the housing priorities of Northern Ireland and how to deliver more affordable, better connected homes.

Chair: Openreach; Allen Irwin, Senior Manager Funding and Developer Relations

Mayfair Group; Victoria Patterson, Director of Sales & Acquisitions

Choice Housing Ireland Ltd; Jon Anderson, Group Director of Development

Moda Living; James R Blakey, Planning Director

14:00-14:30 Break & Networking

Enjoy some networking time with those also attending the conference and visit the exhibitors. You’ll have the ability to video chat in our networking lounge with attendees, or visit the exhibition booths.

14:30-15:30 Session Four: Major Investment and Development Across Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s largest developers and investors join us to showcase their major development plans whilst touching on key issues such as futuristic infrastructure, re-imagining town centres and delivering sustainable placemaking.

Chair: (Available to Sponsor)

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council; Majella McAlister, Deputy Chief Executive of Economic Growth

Titanic Quarter; James Eyre, Commercial Director

Strategic Investment Board; Tzvetelina Bogoina, Capital Programme Director – National Museums NI

Invest NI; Alan Wilson, Head of International Investment

Bywater Properties; Patrick O’Gorman, Principal

15:30-16:00 Conference Summary and Close

We’re set to have a plethora of expert names and industry leading figures take to our stage. They include:

Department for International Trade – Neil McIvor, Regional Manager

Neil is an expert on all matters Northern Ireland. He currently holds the post of Regional Manager for the Department for International Trade, specialising in large regeneration projects in excess of £100m. He also holds roles as the Chair of the Habinteg Housing Association (Ulster) and as Director of Development at Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation.

Belfast City Council – Cathy Reynolds, Director of Regeneration and Development

The Belfast City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy outlines an exciting vision and forms a blueprint for a range of regeneration projects set to overhaul the city over the coming years. The strategy outlines Belfast’s collective ambition for continued growth and regeneration up until 2030. There are three major schemes totalling just under £3bn worth of work, these include the Inner North West Masterplan, The Linen Quarter Vision and Belfast East Bank Development Strategy. Cathy joins us to provide an update to Belfast’s leading regeneration work.

Department for Communities – Mark O’Donnell, Deputy Lead – Housing & Regeneration

With an annual budget of over £500m the Department plays a vital role in shaping policy and accelerating the delivery of housing and regeneration across Northern Ireland. They are actively working to delivery a number of regeneration programmes targeting physical development of cities, town and villages – such as the Castlereagh Urban Framework, a 10-year regeneration and investment strategy for the region, St Patrick’s Regeneration which will deliver more than £150m of mixed-use and residential investment to the Barracks site in Ballymena, and the Portrush Regeneration Programme – a £17m endorsed initiative that enables wider regeneration.

Sustainable NI – Nichola Hughes, Director

Sustainable NI supports government and business in promoting and enabling sustainable development in Northern Ireland. It helps organisations integrate sustainability thinking into everyday decision making, by providing practical advice, and sharing expertise and knowledge on how to measure and manage sustainability. Sustainable NI also provides the secretariat for the All Party Group on Climate Action, a forum for discussion between politicians, NGOs, business leaders and academics, to drive progress on climate action and sustainable development in Northern Ireland.

Translink – Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive Officer

Translink is Northern Ireland’s main public transport provider, running 12,500 services every day to allow 1.5 million passengers to go to work, education, health services and leisure activities every week. The transport body are working to deliver a £208m Belfast Transport Hub plan that involves the development of a new bus and train centre. The plan is set to unlock the 1.3 million sq ft Weavers Cross Regeneration project, estimated to be worth around £400m in value. Translink are also committed to reducing carbon emissions, aiming to operate the 4th largest zero emission bus fleet in the UK by the end of 2022 as a part of their larger commitment to be carbon neutral by 2040.

Strategic Investment Board – Tzvetelina Bogoina, Capital Programme Director – National Museums NI

Supported by the Strategic Investment Board, National Museums NI has undertaken significant steps to define a sustainable estate strategy and a long-term development programme for its museums. The Ulster Museum, Ulster American Folk Park, Ulster Transport Museum and the Ulster Folk Museum are all set to be redeveloped under the multi-million pound scheme, with the latter holding the position as the most advanced project to date.

B9 Energy Storage Ltd – David Surplus, Managing Director

B9 Energy Storage Ltd is a company that has been set up to develop, own, operate and maintain hydrogen projects on a collaborative basis using emerging Power-to-X and Power-to-Gas business models. Based in Northern Ireland, B9 Energy has a collection of national and global scale projects ongoing at any given time. They are currently working with partners to deliver the Belfast Power-to-X to create a low cost renewable hydrogen supply to unlock demand from transport, heart and power sectors across Northern Ireland. The scheme will facilitate hydrogen storage for 70MW of electrolysis and could cut Belfast’s natural gas demand.

Mayfair Group – Victoria Patterson, Director of Sales & Acquisitions

Mayfair Group is a progressive UK property development company that has provided over 2000 family homes over its 25 year history. The property giant has recently announced plans to invest £100m in 500 sustainable homes in the UK and Ireland over the next five years, under their new Mayfair Zero brand. The first phase of their first Mayfair Zero development was completed in late 2021 at Thorburn Gate off the Antrim Road in Belfast.

Titanic Quarter – James Eyre, Commercial Director

The Titanic Quarter is Northern Ireland’s biggest regeneration project, comprising of 185 acres of waterfront land. Since the launch of the Titanic Quarter masterplan in 2005, the development has come to life with major residential, commercial, tourism and education schemes, modernising Belfast’s waterfront and former shipbuilding lands. The group has overseen over £480m worth of development projects spanning over 1.5 million square feet with further planning approved for a further 4 million square feet that will see new developments such as the £30 million Olympic House and the £30 million Hamilton Dock Hotel.

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Council – Nicola Wilson, Head of Economic Development

As the Head of Department: Economic Development Services, Nicola leads on The ABC Recovery and Growth Framework. The council are in the process of developing an extensive Banbridge Public Realm Scheme with an estimated investment for approximately £5.5m, that comes in addition to the £1.4m Dromore Public Realm project. ABC council are also working in partnership with WarnerBros./WarrnerMedia Consumer Products, Linen Mill Studios® in creating a 110,000 sq ft Game of Thrones visitor attraction, with the potential to drive up their visitor economy through thousands of visitors each year. The council opened a consultation on a major regeneration scheme set for Lurgan’s Silverwood Golf and Leisure Centre and have initiated a £6.3m historic buildings restoration scheme that will redevelop up to 15 historic buildings across the borough.

Bywater Properties – Patrick O’Gorman, Principal

Bywater Properties deliver world-class urban projects throughout the UK. As well as having major developments in Glasgow and London, the property developer is currently working in consultation with Belfast City Council on two major regeneration projects. The 35DP redevelopment will see 30,000 sq ft of office space, whilst the Smithfield Yard regeneration is set to cost roughly £60m and will deliver a 170,000 sq ft mixed use campus.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council – Majella McAlister, Deputy Chief Executive of Economic Growth

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council are set to unleash a wave of regeneration and development across two town centres over the coming years.  The Glengormley Integrated Physical and Economic Regeneration Project will see the development of office space and the public realm as a part of a £17.4m scheme. In addition, the £8m Antrim Integrated Physical and Economic Regeneration project will also see the delivery of office space and facilitate the delivery of a Riverfront Regeneration scheme.

Choice Housing Ireland Ltd – Jon Anderson, Group Director of Development

Choice Housing is the largest independent housing association in Northern Ireland with a focus on delivering more homes, better services, and stronger inclusive communities. Since 2018, the housing association has invested more than £66m in new social housing provision, with plans to invest more over the next five years. They are currently working on several developments throughout Northern Ireland, including the 92-home Glen Road Heights development.

RenewableNI – Steven Agnew, Head

Steven Agnew is Head of RenewableNI, the trade association and voice for the renewable electricity industry in Northern Ireland, supporting over 40 member organisations. He previously served for eight years as MLA for North Down during which time he chaired the All Party Group on Renewables and sat on the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee scrutinising energy policy.

Built Environment Networking – Amanda Griffiths, Director

Amanda is one of the Co-Founder’s of Built Environment Networking – formed almost 10 years ago.

She’ll be hosting throughout the day, running the days proceedings and managing the interaction between our delegates and the speakers.

Invest NI – Alan Wilson, Head of International Investment

Invest NI is a part of the Department for the Economy that acts as a regional business development agency to help grow the local economy. They do this by helping new and existing businesses to compete internationally, and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland. The agency also provides strong government support for business by effectively delivering the Government’s economic development strategies.

MODA Living – James R Blakey, Planning Director

James will join the conference to update on Moda Living’s £260m Brighton scheme which will deliver 564 homes for private rent, and 260 homes for later living. James will also update on their collaboration with leading global real estate development and investment group, Osbourne & Co, that will deliver new live and work campuses – combining BtR with life sciences and high-quality commercial space.

James Blakey Moda

Built Environment Networking – Fahmida Nisa, Host & Event Manager

Nisa is a research, marketing and content specialist at Built Environment Networking. She will be hosting a number of the sessions throughout the day, running the day’s proceedings and managing the interaction between our virtual delegates and the speakers.

Belfast Climate Commission – Professor John Barry, Co-Chair

Professor John Barry is a Professor of Green Political Economy and the Director of the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action at Queens University Belfast. He also holds the co-Chair position within the Belfast Climate Commission, one of three city-based climate commission in the UK. The commission has a number of responsibilities in relation to achieving climate targets across the city region, most notably, the group makes the economic case for project development, implementation and investment in low carbon and climate resilient projects in the city.

Openreach – Allen Irwin, Senior Manager Funding and Developer Relations

Allen has over 25 years working in the IT sector in NI and is currently part of the senior team in Openreach NI. He has worked across many areas of the public sector, including a number of governmental interventions to improve broadband speeds and availability across Northern Ireland. Openreach NI provides European full fibre, gigabit capable services to over 80% of all premise across the province, and Allen works with developers to ensure that new properties have, where possible, fibre broadband right into the residential homes and business to support the changing working patterns that have been seen since the onset of the pandemic.

Associate your brand with the Northern Ireland Economic Growth and Development Conference and position your brand at the forefront of one of the UK’s biggest discussions and debates about economic growth, development and regeneration within the country.

Package Exhibition Stand Chair/ Speaking Opportunity Tickets VIP Backstage Access Cost (+VAT)
Conference Partner Yes Yes 15 Yes £2,750 View Details
Session Partner Yes Yes 10 Yes £1,750 View Details
Session Three Partner: How Can The Housing and BtR Sectors Contribute to Levelling Up Northern Ireland? Yes Yes 10 Yes £1,750 Sold Out
Best Practice Presentation Package Yes Yes 10 Yes £1,250 View Details
Exhibitor Packages Yes 5 Yes £750 View Details

We have various partnership packages available, including packages with speaking opportunities, exhibition space and those that will drive brand awareness, allowing you to address your whole target audience for maximum brand awareness and impact. Our partnership packages will put you at the forefront of the industry discussion allowing you to be there, be active and be an expert within the construction and property sector, the housing sector and the whole built environment industry.

Conference Partner

£2,750+VAT

Become the headline partner of this conference and get mass awareness and brand visibility. This package is the ultimate – with a prime location during the event, a speaking opportunity, logo positioning on the top of the logo and your name in the event title – “Northern Ireland Economic Growth and Development Conference; Sponsored by YOUR COMPANY NAME”

  • The conference will be called the xxx Conference in association with your company name
  • Ability to help shape the conference agenda and content to bring your strategic thinking to the event
  • Option to recommend speakers
  • Inclusion with pre-conference speaker communications
  • Access to the speakers and panellists; an excellent opportunity to establish rapport and build commercially rewarding relationships
  • Prime branding for the whole conference
  • Option to do a keynote speech
  • One speaking position on one panel during the conference
  • Online exhibition space allowing you to video chat with delegates and share downloadable content such as literature
  • 15 online delegate passes for your team or guests
  • Digital media branding: your logo will appear prominently on the website, marketing emails, social media etc
  • Master of Ceremonies “thank you” in the opening and closing speeches
  • Social media – pre, during and post-conference activity
  • Inclusion with all PR and outreach to regional, national and industry press
  • Access to video of the conference after the event

Session Partner

£1,750+VAT

The role of the session partner provides an opportunity for you to participate in one of the sessions to build brand awareness, loyalty and trust amongst hundreds of civic and business leaders from across the industry. You’ll be seen to be a thought leader within your area of expertise and showcase your company in front of key decision-makers from across the industry. Benefits include:

  • Ability to help shape the session agenda and content to bring your strategic thinking to the event
  • Option to recommend speakers for the session
  • Inclusion with pre-conference speaker communications
  • Access to the speakers and panellists; an excellent opportunity to establish rapport and build commercially rewarding relationships
  • Branding for the whole conference and your session
  • One speaking position on your panel
  • Option to do a five minute introduction to your panel or thought leaders presentation
  • Online exhibition space allowing you to video chat with delegates and share downloadable content such as literature
  • 10 online delegate passes for your team or guests
  • Digital media branding: your logo will appear prominently on the website, marketing emails, social media etc
  • Master of Ceremonies “thank you” in the opening and closing speeches
  • Social media – pre, during and post-conference activity
  • Inclusion with all PR and outreach to regional, national and industry press
  • Access to video of the conference after the event

Session Three Partner: How Can The Housing and BtR Sectors Contribute to Levelling Up Northern Ireland?

Best Practice Presentation Package

£1,250+VAT

During the breaks delegates are able to speed network and visit the exhibitors – but with this package you can also give them the option of coming to see your company deliver a 15-minute thought leadership presentation, enabling you to play a key role in the conference. Build brand awareness, loyalty, trust and new business leads amongst numerous civic and business leaders from across the industry. Benefits include:

  • Ability to deliver a 15-minute presentation during one of the break periods
  • Access to the VIP Room – a green room for speakers, VIP guests and sponsors
  • Branding across the rest of the conference
  • Online exhibition space allowing you to video chat with delegates and share content
  • 10 online delegate passes for your team and/or guests
  • Digital media branding: your logo will appear prominently on the website, marketing emails, social media, etc
  • Master of Ceremonies ‘thank you’ in the opening and closing speeches
  • Social media – pre, during and post-conference activity
  • Inclusion in any PR and outreach to regional, national and industry press
  • Access to video of the conference after the event

Exhibitor Package

£750+VAT

If you’re looking for access to the event and a space to meet online delegates and chat with them – then our exhibitor package is perfect. Some people can be reluctant to approach exhibition stands – but online it’s different and you’ll be inundated with enquiries and questions about your brand. Benefits include:

  • Online exhibition space allowing you to video chat with delegates and share downloadable content such as literature
  • 5 online delegate passes for your team or guests
  • Digital media branding: your logo will appear prominently on the website, marketing emails, social media etc
  • Master of Ceremonies “thank you” in the opening and closing speeches
  • Social media – pre, during and post-conference activity
  • Inclusion with all PR and outreach to regional, national and industry press
  • Access to video of the conference after the event

If you’re interested in any of the packages above or if you’re interested in finding out additional information then contact us on:

0113 390 4700

opportunities@built-environment-networking.com

Our online conferences will merge our face-to-face conferences with a virtual platform – providing networking opportunities, exceptional panel discussions and debates, speaker presentations and an exhibition hall.

Here’s a little video highlighting what to expect

And here’s a bit more information of key areas of our online events…

You’ll receive unique log-in details to join our online event via computer or phone – and you’ll be greeted with an easy navigation tool. You’ll be able to navigate to:

Main Stage

Where our ‘Programme’ will take place with excellent speakers and content. You’ll be able to get involved, asking questions and taking part in live polls.

Networking Area

Just like a real conference you’ll be able to meet and connect with new people in our forum. You can directly request to chat with someone or you can enter our ‘speed networking’ area to meet numerous new people within the industry. Get your elevator pitch ready!

Sponsor / Exhibitor Area

Meet our partners and sponsors – view what they’re all about, video chat with them and download their literature and product information.

Tickets

Tickets are not currently available for this event.

Details

Date:
Thursday, 28th April 2022

Time:
0900hrs – 1600hrs

Venue

Online – Hopin


View our ticket T&Cs.

Sponsors

Speakers

Exhibitors