Browne Jacobson to explore skills challenges in built environment at UKREiiF event

The UK and Ireland law firm will host a panel session at the three-day event in Leeds, which is expected to welcome more than 16,000 delegates from 20 to 22 May.  

Gabor Taller, Partner and Co-Head of Social Housing, and Ayesha Khalique, Partner in the built environment team, will jointly host a panel debate titled 'Plugging the skills gap now for the built environment of the future' at the Rethinking Places Pavilion on Tuesday 20 May from 3.15pm to 4.15pm.  

Harnessing its reputation as the joint-top firm in the Social Mobility Foundation's prestigious Social Mobility Employer Index for 2024, Browne Jacobson will bring together cross-sector experts to discuss how to develop the skills needed for the built environment of the future amid rapid technological change.  

Speakers include Gerraint Oakley, Executive Director (Growth and Development) at Platform Housing Group; Jack Hayhoe, Head of Net Zero Programmes at Midlands Net Zero Hub; Paul Wrighton, Vice President for Strategy and Global Business Development at Energy Drive; Professor Lisa Brodie, Executive Dean at The Engineering & Design Institute London; and Chloe Hanley, Management Trainee at Willmott Dixon.  

Gabor said: “Tackling the construction skills shortage is essential for the substantiality and renewal of our built environment, as well as for enhancing the productivity of the UK overall.   

“This issue is resonating with so many of our clients across a range of sectors and is particularly timely in the context of the government’s ‘Plan for Change’ ambitions, which includes the construction of 1.5m homes during the current parliamentary term. 

“I’m excited to hear from such a high-calibre panel and to create a great opportunity for collaborative discussion in the networking drinks we are hosting following the session.” 

Browne Jacobson, in partnership with BDO LLP, will also host a fringe social at BDO’s Central Square office on Wednesday 21 May from 5.15pm to 7pm. This will offer an opportunity for UKREiiF delegates to connect and relax over drinks and nibbles after a day at the conference. 

Browne Jacobson will have more than 20 representatives – composed of leaders from its real estate and construction, government and corporate teams – at UKREiiF.  

The annual event connects people, places and businesses to accelerate sustainable, inclusive and transformative investment. It brings together the public sector, with representation from every core UK city and region, alongside government bodies, investors, funders, developers, housebuilders, and other key stakeholders.  

The Browne Jacobson panel session, 'Plugging the skills gap now for the built environment of the future', is available to UKREiiF delegates. To sign up for the conference, visit www.ukreiif.com. 

To register for the Browne Jacobson and BDO LLP fringe social for free, click here.