Wales Development Conference

Urban Splash – Mark Latham, Development Director

Urban Splash are pioneers in regeneration, placemaking and development. The firm’s regeneration plans for the city include redeveloping Swansea Central North, the riverfront site in St Thomas, and turning the 23-acre Civic Centre site into a new city seafront district. Mark– Development Director will be joining the session to showcase developments and thought leadership on changing the shape of Welsh towns.

Swansea Council – Cllr Andrea Lewis, Deputy Leader

As part of a wider £1bn Swansea regeneration programme the city council have partnered with Urban Splash to deliver a £750m city centre masterplan to be delivered in phases over 10 years. Key schemes include the Copr Bay digital arena project, Swansea Central North- a mixed use neighbourhood with business at its heart- and Castle Square. Cllr Lewis joins the event to go into depth on delivery timeline and opportunities for collaboration.

Milligan – Stuart Harris, Chief Executive Officer

After a turbulent couple of years, the high streets are slowly coming back to life, through development of homes, spaces to work and becoming the hub of competitive socialisation.  Developers such as Milligan are innovators in city revitalisation, creating inclusive placemaking and heading the development of over 10 new city centre developments. They have recently announced £750 million, 20-year Swansea regeneration project – redeveloping housing, hospitality and civic spaces. Stuart Harris – Chief Executive officer will be joining us to provide perspective on revitalizing our city centres, challenges of the high street and the evolution of retail spaces.

Cardiff Capital Region – Kellie Beirne, Chief Executive Officer

Cardiff Capital Region(CCR) embraces the 10 local authority in South-East Wales – Creating sustainable success and thriving communities. Investing £1.2 billion in regional growth via the City Deal over the next 10 years and aiming to deliver £50 million Industrial and Economic Plan which consists of 120,000 sq. m of workspace and creating 4400 jobs. Kellie will be joining the session to discuss challenges of Welsh regeneration and the strategies to accelerate industrial and economic growth.

Development Bank of Wales – Cenydd Rowlands, Property Director

The Development Bank of Wales is offering £100 million investment to Net Zero incentives – renewable and energy efficient measures over the next five to seven years. As Property Director at the development bank, Cenydd will be well placed to give us intel on their development funding activities and exciting details on their new green initiative.

Wildfox Resorts – Claire Pearce, Director of Planning & Economic Development

Gravity’s ‘Wildfox Resorts’ development in the Afan Valley, Port Talbot, is aiming to create over 1000 jobs in the region. Following £250 million investment , in a 50-bed hotel, spa, restaurant, viewing area, 570 lodges, biking and walking trail. Claire – director will be joining the session to discuss regeneration and revitalisation of towns, cities and valleys within Wales.

Watkin Jones – George Dyer, Head of Divestment

Watkin Jones is the leading developer, builder and management operator in the UK and Ireland – recently announcing a £200 million private rental flats scheme with Legal and General. Aiming to deliver 714 build-to-rent flats at the former Brains Brewery site in Cardiff. George will be joining the session to discuss latest development plans and creating of inclusive places in Wales.

Lloyds Bank – Chair: Chinyelu Oranefo, Director, Sustainability & ESG Finance

Lloyds’ banking group is one of the largest mortgage lenders in the UK and is set to become the biggest landlords by 2030 – supporting the recovery of the UK housing market. Providing £150 million of funding in Wales from 2021 – 2022, with 56 million being sustainable linked. Chinyelu will be joining us to discuss sustainability in the and investment in the built environment.

RivingtonHark – David Lewis, Executive Director

Placing digitally enabled infrastructure at the heart of their Swansea Copr Bay regeneration ambition, Rivingtonhark are pioneering a digital high street experience with innovation at its core. David joins the event to share ideas on how to futureproof town centres.

Future Generations Commissioner for Wales – Rhiannon Hardiman, Change Maker

Rhiannon is a Change Maker with a focus on climate, nature and decarbonisation, Supporting public bodies in Wales to go net zero by 2030 and to take action to address the climate and biodiversity emergencies. She will be joining the session to share thought leadership on major growth priorities in Wales, green infrastructure and accelerating economic growth.

Cardiff Council – Ken Poole, Head of Economic Development

Cardiff Council approves new partnership with Wates Living that could see 1,700 homes delivered over the next 9 years and plans to develop the city by 2036.   Ken Poole, Head of Economic Development joins the event to talk about how social infrastructure which supports active, healthier and smarter living will play an integral part to any adopted plan. With over £1bn of projects in the immediate pipeline, Ken will also touch on how the public and private sector can collaborate to expedite inclusive economic growth delivery.

Taff Housing Association – Helen White, Chief Executive Officer

Taff Housing association manages over 1,500 homes across Cardiff. Recently gaining £25 million in funding, which will be used to fund a development programme targeting, 325 new homes by 2025/26. Helen will be joining the session to share intel on housing needs of the region, new development plans and challenges of redevelopment.

Network Rail – James Jackson, Industry Programme Director

James is Industrial Programme Director, Wales and Western at Network Rail and will discuss their strategic investment and development plan. They are supporting the delivery of Transport for Wales’ ambitious £5bn vision to transform the railway in Wales and the Borders. Key projects as part of the vision include a £30m upgrade to Barmouth Viaduct and a £25m upgrade to the Newport-Gloucester line.

Sustrans – Christine Boston, Director

Sustrans has invested £75 million in the Welsh economy and an additional 20m each year for the development and improvement of the National Cycle Network. Christine will be joining the session to discuss active travel in Wales and delivering infrastructure which improves health and wellbeing.

Adra Housing Association – Iwan Trefor Jones, Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Adra Housing Association is one of the largest social landlords in North Wales. Currently developing 19 projects -with over 800 affordable homes across the region. Future developments in Gwynedd and Caernarfon are comprised of 44 new homes – 21 of which will be for over 55’s.  Iwan- Deputy Chief Executive will be joining the conference to share intel on affordable residential development, community regeneration and the challenges of accelerating the Welsh housing stock.

Monmouthshire Housing Association – Karen Tarbox, Director of Property Services

Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA) managing over 3800 properties. Karen from Monmouthshire housing association will be joining the discussion on the challenges of providing social housing within the region.

Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust – Chris Turley, Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Resources

Bridgend County Borough Council – Cllr Neelo Farr, Cabinet Member Regeneration

Bridgend County Borough Council is in the next phase of unlocking regeneration developments, including at Salt Lake and Cosy Corner, while developing more than 500 homes, 170 businesses and infrastructure. Neelo Farr -Cabinet Member of Regeneration will be joining the session to discuss rejuvenation and the challenges of development in the region.

North Wales Tidal Energy – Henry Dixon, Chairman

North Wales Tidal Energy is developing world-leading integrated tidal energy and costal protection– recently announcing a £7 billon new tidal lagoon for Wales stretching between Prestatyn and Llandudno. The project aims to generate £500 million a year for 120 years and could generate enough power for every home in Wales. Henry will be joining the session to discuss the future of sustainable energy, economic growth, and environmental security of the Welsh communities.