The Crown Estate and Gascoyne Estates are to sponsor Invest Hertfordshire’s presence at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds, 20-22 May. 

 

Invest Hertfordshire, the county’s inward investment service, is returning to Leeds following its sell-out launch at UKREiiF 2024. This year, it has secured two major sponsors, The Crown Estate and Gascoyne Estates, who will form a key part of the Team Hertfordshire delegation.

 

Bringing over 16,000 professionals from national and local government, investors, developers and the wider built environment industry together, UKREiiF is now the largest UK investment forum with representation across the UK’s cities and regions.

 

For those heading up to Leeds, Invest Hertfordshire, managed by Hertfordshire Futures, will be at J30, Royal Armouries Hall with a dedicated inward investment team on site. It will also be hosting Meet Hertfordshire’s Place Pioneers, at the SCAPE Public Sector Stage on Wednesday 21 May, 3.30-4.30pm. This will be followed by a drinks reception in association with Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Development Board (HIDB), a subsidiary of Hertfordshire Growth Board.  

 

This year, the Hertfordshire team will bring a more consolidated offer of investor-ready propositions focusing on town centre regeneration, housing-led and commercial site developments – all available to view in one Invest Hertfordshire prospectus. 

The Crown Estate is developing a new 1.8 million sq ft business park, just off junction 8 of the M1 as part of its wider allocation at East Hemel, which will also deliver 4,000 new homes, four new schools and a country park within the Hemel Garden Communities growth area.

The Hemel Garden Communities Programme will create attractive, sustainable new neighbourhoods to the north and east of Hemel Hempstead by 2050. It includes Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter (Herts IQ) enterprise zone at its heart, anchoring the transformation of Hemel Hempstead and the wider area. The Crown Estate’s site at East Hemel is just one of the organisation’s projects that is seeking to support national, regional and local economic growth as part of its wider strategy.

Gascoyne Estates is bringing forward a major residential-led development at Coopers Green, Hatfield, with 2,000 new homes and 150,000 sq. ft. of employment space to support and enhance the existing Hatfield Garden Village. Coopers Green will also see the development of primary and secondary schools, with enhanced leisure facilities, community and civic buildings, new roads, landscaping and open space – whilst bringing in the critical mass required to support local shops, cafés or restaurant. This is expected to be completed by 2035. 

The Estate is seeking partners to deliver the Hatfield Innovation Campus, a landmark development featuring 400,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and key worker accommodation. Additionally, the Estate is promoting a new village at Symondshyde Farm, along with opportunities for solar energy and biodiversity net gain (BNG) across central Hertfordshire.

 

Melanie Miller, Hertfordshire Futures inward investment manager, said: “I am really delighted that we have secured The Crown Estate and Gascoyne Estates as our commercial sponsors with Hertfordshire Infrastructure & Development Board (HIDB) supporting our event. I hope this is the start of a long-term partnership that reflects the scale of our collective ambition to deliver the homes and jobs and create the breathable, accessible, connected and green communities Hertfordshire needs if it is to grow responsibly and sustainably.”

 

The HIDB was established in 2021 to act as a link between the Hertfordshire Growth Board’s local authorities and the built environment sector. With more than 80 private sector members, HIDB will sponsor the drinks and networking session which will bring investors and developers together with Hertfordshire’s local authorities.

 

Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Chair, Hertfordshire Growth Board, said: “With an economy of £46bn, larger than many cities and regions, world-leading sectors and a large pool of local talent, Hertfordshire is punching well above its weight. By bringing together a strong public-private sector delegation, we can evidence the strength of our offer to the investment market and demonstrate that the county is open for business.”

 

Rob Chesworth, Head of Strategic Land at The Crown Estate, said: “As a business that is committed to the future of the region, we are thrilled to be supporting Invest Hertfordshire’s presence at UKREiiF this year. We hope that this year’s event will be as lively and productive as ever, allowing us to promote the potential of Hertfordshire to a wider UK audience.”

 

Rachael Elwin, Senior Development Manager, Strategic Land, Gascoyne Estates:  "We are proud to support Invest Hertfordshire at UKREiiF 2025 as a key sponsor, helping to showcase the county’s investment potential. At Gascoyne Estates, we are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable developments that enhance communities and drive economic growth. Our residential-led scheme at Coopers Green, alongside our commercial and innovation projects, will play a vital role in shaping Hertfordshire’s future. UKREiiF provides an excellent platform to connect with partners who share our vision for creating vibrant, well-connected places where people can live, work, and thrive."

 

Invest Hertfordshire’s event last year was standing room only. This year the theme will focus on how Hertfordshire’s place pioneering heritage could help model future sustainable development. In addition to its own event, members of the Invest Hertfordshire delegation are also speaking or attending a number of high profile events over the three days.

 

 

Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair, Hertfordshire Futures, who is representing the county at the Regional Leaders roundtable, said: “I am delighted to once again be part of the delegation flying the flag for Hertfordshire at UKREiiF and showcasing our county’s key strengths, business clusters and opportunity sites.”

 

To book an appointment with Invest Hertfordshire during UKREiiF please email: melanie.miller@hertfordshirefutures.co.uk