Regeneration in the UK – opportunities for investment

The UK Government is committed to creating the ideal business environment for investment in Regeneration projects across the UK and highlighting major opportunities to international investors.

The Regeneration industry, when at its most effective can be at the heart of driving economic growth, helping local leaders to strengthen their communities and support people back into work.

The UK Government has recently made a series of reforms to the planning system and incentives such as the Enterprise Zones to encourage investment and help enable the UK regeneration sector.

Regeneration and Investment Organisation (RIO)

UKTI has established the Regeneration and Investment Organisation (RIO) to offer international investors a gateway into large scale regeneration projects throughout the UK.

RIO acts as the honest broker in directing investors to a credible pipeline of UK regeneration opportunities.

Access RIO projects online

Specific information about RIO projects is available at www.ukti-regeneration.co.uk. This provides access to

  • RIO projects pipeline

  • news about regeneration

  • general guidance for investors, project promoters and stakeholders

Contact RIO

Nahid Majid OBE

Chief Operating Officer

[email protected]

Paul Marsh

Head of Projects and Finance

[email protected]

Opportunities to invest in UK projects

There is strong investor appetite for regeneration projects in the UK based on high quality projects and strong financial returns. Regeneration projects include residential, commercial, retail and leisure elements.

RIO has a strong pipeline of projects in various stages with over £100bn of investment value. To be included in the pipeline projects must meet the following criteria:

  • Gross Development Value: Over £100m, lower thresholds are considered where substantial employment is created

  • Jobs created

  • Planning permission: Outline / manageable reserved matters

  • Timings: Investment required within 12 – 18 months

  • Land ownership: Freehold or long leasehold

  • Clear potential for commercial returns inlinein line with market values

  • Clearly defined project and investment structure

  • Aligned with local and central government ambitions

  • Support of local authority

Specific information about RIO projects is available at www.ukti-regeneration.co.uk

Key projects

The key initial regeneration projects requiring further investment and development partners are at various stages and consist of:

  • Over 163 projects with values of over £100m.

  • Over 90 projects with values over £250m

  • Over 55 projects requiring £500m or more investment

  • 33 projects with investment requirements in excess of £1bn

Map below shows examples of key projects. Information about individual projects is available in the UK regeneration brochure.

Investment successes

International investment secured to build 6,600 homes in the UK: New £700 million inward investment deal, which will be delivered through UK company Sigma Capital Group with backing from international investors, Gatehouse Bank.

Battersea Power Station site redevelopment: inward investment from a Malaysian-led consortium of SP Setia, Sime Darby and EPF.

Specific information about RIO projects is available at www.ukti-regeneration.co.uk

Why invest in Regeneration in the UK

The UK is the best major location for ‘ease of doing business’ and third best for dealing with construction permits in Europe, according to an independent assessment by the World Bank. The UK’s business-friendly labour regulations, combined with the skills, commitment and flexibility of the country’s workforce, are recognised as proven commercial assets by the thousands of international companies that have already invested in the UK.

  • Internationally minded: The UK has long term historical links with all corners of the globe extending to strong cultural bonds that are deeply rooted in UK society.

  • Superfast Broadband: A £100m urban broadband fund has been established to create Ten Super-Connected Cities with 80-100 megabytes/second download speed.

  • Enhancing road networks: UK Government is managing and investing in roads to help ease traffic congestion and increase connectivity.

  • Improving local transport: The Government is giving Councils more freedom to improve their local transport systems to make them more efficient and sustainable.

  • Expanding rail network: The Government is expanding and developing the rail network to improve passenger journeys and support economic growth.

  • New high speed rail network: The Government will develop a new high-speednetwork to provide the rail capacity that Britain needs.

  • Revitalising high streets: Town centres across the country are being given thesupport and the opportunity to revitalise their high streets.

  • Committed to new housing: Over £10bn of funding will be available to assist in the building of 120,000 new homes.

  • Quality of life in the UK: UK residents enjoy a high standard of living, education and recreation. Publicly funded health care is available to all and there is a rich cultural heritage and abundance of leisure facilities.

More on why the UK is an ideal investment location

Promoting your Project

If you or your organisation has a regeneration project and are seeking large-scale investment please download the RIO Project Initiation Document (PID).  This should be completed with all information available on their project and emailed directly to their regional RIO representative (if known) or to the contact people listed below.  Queries and clarifications can also be addressed via these channels.  Individual PIDs should be submitted for each project.  Promoters should expect to receive a response within five days of submission. 

Advisory Board Members Biographies

Find out more

Contact the RIO team

RIO work by helping potential and current investors to understand the opportunities that exist within the UK Regeneration sector and determine the government support that may be needed. For more information please contact:

Nahid Majid OBE

Chief Operating Officer

Regeneration Investment Organisation

[email protected]

Paul Marsh

Head of Projects and Finance

Regeneration Investment Organisation

p[email protected]

Countries: United Kingdom
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