EG picks some of the highlights at The London Real Estate Forum as it returns to London’s Berkeley Square this week
1. Opening ceremony
LREF’s opening ceremony, the night before the start of the main conference, will take place at Berkeley Square. Last year saw Robert Davis, deputy leader and cabinet minister for the built environment at Westminster Council, announce the council would reassess its tall buildings policy. This year’s event, only days after the General Election, will be an opportunity for another of the industry’s most influential figures to set out their hopes for the new parliament.
Tuesday 13 June, 18:00
2. Speaker’s Corner
In a new addition to the conference, a selection of creative and visionary impact talks, each lasting 10 to 15 minutes, will be taking place during the event at Speaker’s Corner. These will include EG research experts on the residential, office and retail markets as well as the Syrian refugee restaurateur working with Appear Here, and brand guru Steve Edge.
3. Land Securities’ new brand
The UK’s largest listed property company is to launch a new brand that will be exhibited on its stand. While the company’s name will stay the same, it is looking to project a new image focusing on end users including tenants and retail customers within its shopping centres.
4. The mayor’s vision for the next three decades
In association with EG and in partnership with Savills, ABP and Humphrey & Partners, Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills, will discuss a new vision for the capital’s evolution and expansion alongside the Crown Estate and Grosvenor.
Thursday 15 June, Seminar room 3: London 2050 – The mayor’s vision, 09:30-10:15
5. Swan Housing’s Barking and Poplar ambitions
Swan Housing Association is to outline its plans for 1,243 new homes in Poplar, E14, at its Blackwall Reach project and an additional 270 homes at Cambridge Road in Barking, E13. It will be speaking alongside Argent, GLA, Westminster Council and Grosvenor.
Thursday 15 June, Insight seminar: Housing delivery, 14:30-15:15.
6. Lessons from East and West
London is increasingly becoming one of a trio of focal points for global capital alongside New York and Hong Kong. Hear from Nicolas Brooke, chairman of the Hong Kong Harbourfront Commission and member of the commission on strategic development, and from Carl Weisbrod, the past chairman of New York City Planning Commission and director of the NYC department of city planning.
Wednesday 14 June, International Dialogue: Hong Kong, 11:00-11.45; New York 12:00-12:45
7. Next Generation reception
The first day’s proceedings will conclude with a drinks reception celebrating the leading lights of the city’s property sector. Attendees will hear from Jacob Loftus, chief executive of General Projects, and Savannah de Savary, founder and chief executive of Built-ID. Also joining the reception will be other young industry professionals, who will be taking part in a round table earlier in the day hosted by EG, Gardiner & Theobald and NLA.
Wednesday 14 June
8. VIP dinner
A VIP dinner for speakers and sponsors will be held at the Dorchester on Wednesday evening. Guests will hear from Al Marjan Island Company, the developer of four coral-shaped islands in Ras al-Khaimah, UAE.
Wednesday 14 June
9. The future of Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is going through change. The financial district has become an area of scrutiny as observers look to assess the extent to which banks will move away from London following the EU referendum, while it becomes a growing hub for the tech and media industries and a home for thousands more residents. This event, in association with Cushman & Wakefield, will also see the launch of EG’s London Investor Guide.
Wednesday 14 June, Market Intelligence: Canary Wharf, 14:30-15:15
10. New West End Company’s vision for Oxford Street
Business improvement district and lobby group the New West End Company will be launching its vision for Oxford Street, W1, ahead of Crossrail’s integration along the street in 2018. TfL, Westminster Council and the mayor of London are consulting on issues including deliveries and pedestrianisation, and NWEC will be one of the most influential voices.
Thursday 15 June, Retailers reception, 17:30-21:00
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