Irresistible to investment – that was the message to business leaders who joined the Mayor of the East Midlands to learn more about what the region has to offer at the launch of East Midlands at UKREiiF.
Mayor Claire Ward and Amy Harhoff, East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) chief executive, welcomed businesses, investors and civic representatives from across the region to the launch of East Midlands at UKREiiF.
More than 180 people attended Derby’s Museum of Making this evening (Wednesday 6 May) to learn about Team East Midlands’ offer ahead of the national real estate and investment summit later this month.
Mayor Claire said: “The East Midlands is a region of real strength and opportunity. We have established industries, emerging sectors, and a clear, shared ambition to drive inclusive growth for all our communities.
“UKREiiF is an event where we can show how serious we are to potential partners, businesses, and stakeholders: because they will be there too, keen to learn about what we have to offer and how they can be part of it.
“Government at all levels can create the conditions for growth, but we know it is our people and businesses who deliver it. Our region will translate increased investment into good jobs, quality homes, and stronger infrastructure: everything we need for a robust economy.”
The launch outlined EMCCA’s regional priorities and set out a shared vision for growth, collaboration and opportunity, as well as revealing the programme of activity planned for the Team East Midlands Pavilion at UKREiiF.
The summit, which attracts more than 16,000 delegates and 3,500 investors and developers, aims to connect “people, places and business” to drive regeneration and sustainable growth. It takes place at the Royal Armouries Museum and New Dock, Leeds, from 19-21 May.
At the launch, Mayor Claire highlighted the strategic importance of the East Midlands’ participation at UKREiiF, while Amy highlighted the region’s programme, including key projects and engagement planned for the national stage.
Highlights of the Team East Midlands programme at UKREiiF include a special session on the event’s main Newsroom stage. The East Midlands: ambitious, investable and aligned for delivery will share how the region offers scale, connectivity, and strong sector fundamentals, underpinned by leadership focused on certainty and delivery.
This session will provide clarity on the vision, the pipeline, and the opportunities available, setting out why the East Midlands is ready for investment and committed to turning ambition into outcomes.
The opening session at the East Midlands Pavilion will bring together the Mayor and the four leaders of EMCCA’s constituent authorities – Derby City Council leader Cllr Nadine Peatfield, Derbyshire County Council leader Cllr Alan Graves, Nottingham City Council leader Cllr Neghat Khan and Nottinghamshire County Council leader Cllr Mick Barton. Irresistible to Investment: Unified for Growth, at 11am on 19 May, will showcase how the region is aligning its economic strengths, infrastructure and innovation assets to create compelling, investable growth at the heart of the UK.
Other highlights in the region’s pavilion include sessions outlining Nottingham’s Trent Sports District, From Touch Line to Bottom Line, and the Supercluster – the UK’s clean energy Silicon Valley, as well as investment and development opportunities in Derby and Chesterfield.
For more details about Team East Midlands’ UKREiiF programme, see www.eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk/ukreiif-2026
Published on: 6 May 2026
Categories: News, Economic Development