Building Safety Bottlenecks: A Pressure Point forProgress
One of the most talked-about issues across the panels and coffee queues alike was the growing frustration with the Building Safety Regulator — particularly with the delays to Gateway 2 and Gateway 3 approvals. Several professionals shared stories of schemes stalled for nearly a year —some due to inconsistent responses from the regulator and others held up for nearly a year awaiting clearance, with inconsistencies in the regulator’s process becoming a significant barrier to delivery. It's clear that until we fix this bottleneck, we risk stalling projects that are otherwise ready to break ground. Perhaps, in the future, smarter digital tools, real-time compliance data, and early engagement could offer some light at the end of the approval tunnel. Until these systemic blockers are addressed, even the most promising schemes will remain stuck on paper.
Facilities Management Meets Smart Tech
The facilities management sector was also well represented at UKREiiF, with a strong emphasis on automation and smart building operations.
There is increasing recognition that manual processes, such as emergency light testing and Legionella checks, can now be fully automated using long-life, battery-powered IoT sensors. At UK Connect, we have deployed systems that deliver a 10-year battery life, provide instant alerts, and integrate seamlessly with existing BMS platforms. This is a win for both sustainability and compliance.
These tools are currently available, and we are in the process of implementing them for our clients. It was wonderful to witness these discussions evolving from theoretical concepts to practical applications.
Fringe Events: The Real Networking Engine
It wouldn’t be a UKREiiF roundup without recognising the powerhouse of networking that took place after hours.
From wine tastings to fringe panel sessions, rooftop receptions to darts tournaments at Flight Club Leeds, the event’s social ecosystem was vibrant and buzzing. While the first day of the formal programme saw a good turnout, it became evident by the second and third days that many of the most meaningful conversations were occurring off-stand.
One standout session featured Stuart Hensby of Abri Group, who spoke at the LRG (Leaders Romans Group) stand about the importance of shared ownership in addressing the housing crisis. The Homes England-backed Abri team demonstrated that affordable housing is not only achievable but essential.
Meanwhile, local authorities were out in full force, promoting their regions for investment, regeneration, and sustainable development. In many respects, it felt like a UK-based counterpart to MIPIM, but with far better accents and, if I’m being a bit brutal, superior optics for the councils that opted for the UK event over the significantly pricier French equivalent.
Final Thoughts: Opportunity Meets Urgency
From a technological perspective, I was surprised by the lack of tech exhibitors at UKREiiF this year. Despite near-universal consensus that technology is crucial to the future of real estate, it was under represented on the ground. That’s a missed opportunity we intend to address next year with our own presence at UKREiiF and MIPIM.
UK Connect is here to bridge the gap between ambition and infrastructure. Whether through rapid connectivity, smart IoT deployment, or embedded consultancy, we are already collaborating with housebuilders, main contractors, and facilities managers to turn their ESG aspirations into reality, rather than letting them remain merely aspirational.
Finally, a quick thank you to everyone I met for the first time, and a huge thank you to Rachel and the team at Building Relations PR—it was lovely catching up with you all!
So, if you missed UKREiiF this year — or spent most of it staring at a buffering screen — now you understand what truly transpired. And hopefully, by UKREiiF 2026, we’ll be connecting better, building smarter, and innovating faster.
PJ Farr
Managing Director, UK Connect
