BOOK NOW | East Yorkshire Development Update
Following a standout debut, Place Yorkshire is returning to Hull on 14 May to explore the projects, trends, and industries powering the region.
One year on from appointing an elected Mayor, what has really changed? Has local leadership accelerated growth, unlocked opportunity, and reshaped development ambitions across the region? We’ll explore the tangible impact, the political landscape, and what it means for investors, developers, and businesses on the ground.
Meanwhile, Hull’s ambitious City Centre Vision – first previewed at our 2025 event – is moving from concept to reality. What progress has been made? What projects are gaining pace? And what opportunities are emerging as city centre regeneration plans take shape?
Join industry leaders, decision-makers, and key stakeholders for insight, clarity, and forward-looking discussion. If you want to stay ahead of policy, investment, and development in East Yorkshire, this is the room to be in.
Expert speakers confirmed to date
Cllr Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire and investment lead for HEYCA
Handley came into politics unexpectedly after retiring from a 17-year career working in further and higher education. What began as a favour for a friend turned, five years later, into her current role as Leader of East Riding Council — and she is proud to be the first woman to hold this position. Alongside her council responsibilities, she regularly spends time in Westminster lobbying Government on key issues affecting the area. Over the past two years, Cllr Anne Handley has worked with both Conservative and Labour Governments to help secure a devolution deal for the region. She is delighted that this has now been achieved and that a Mayor is in office. Devolution will bring greater investment in skills, education, infrastructure and transport, helping to secure a stronger future for the East Riding.
Richard Beason, head of investment, Humber Freeport
As head of investment at Humber Freeport, Beason has the responsibility for leading on attracting investors to the Humber Freeport tax sites, promoting innovation, decarbonisation, and skills and for promoting the Humber as a region as a great place to invest. Having held positions in both public and private sectors, most recently working in Economic Development for North Yorkshire council, Richard is passionate about working in partnership with public and private stakeholders to promote Humber Freeport as a catalyst to power the region’s growth and prosperity.
Raife Gale, senior development manager for Yorkshire and North East, Muse
Muse is leading on Hull’s East Bank regeneration and housing project. Raife joined Muse in 2022 as a senior development manager and has over a decade of development and repurposing experience, working on schemes across the UK. He has experience working with funds, private equity and public sector partners to deliver meaningful change to places. Raife was part of the team who helped set up Habiko, a JV between Muse, Homes England and Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), which is a JV aimed at delivering 3,000 affordable and sustainable homes across England. Raife now sits as Regional Rep for Habiko, helping to implement the vehicles’ strategy across Yorkshire and North East.
Owen Plummer, associate, Purcell
Purcell has played a leading role in Hull’s large-scale Hull Maritime regeneration project, working with the council to reconnect the city with its rich maritime heritage through design and conservation. Their work centres on redeveloping and enhancing key historic assets such as the Hull Maritime Museum (originally a 19th-century dock office) and designing and delivering the Passivhaus-certified North End Shipyard visitor centre, one of the most energy-efficient cultural buildings in the UK, which will serve as the permanent home for the historic trawler Arctic Corsair. Additionally, Purcell’s involvement includes work on the Dock Office Chambers and the transformation of Queen’s Gardens to better link Hull’s public realm with its riverside dockland legacy.
Greg Lacey, head of property at Associated British Ports
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, cabinet member for regeneration and housing at Hull City Council
The event will take place from 8am-12 on Thursday 14 May, with breakfast included.
Further details will be announced in due course.
East Yorkshire Development Update is sponsored by ABP.
