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Turley at UKREiiF 2025: A Q&A with our young professionals

With UKREiiF 2025 set to kick off next week in Leeds, we caught up with three of our young professionals to learn more about their motivations, how they’re preparing and what they’re most looking forward to at the event.

Consultant, Strategic Communications, Ryan Simpson and Assistant Planner, Josh Walne will be attending UKREiiF through the conference’s young professionals delegate ticket scheme, whilst Assistant Planner, Jay Martin returns for a third time as a Regeneration Brainery ambassador. We spoke to them about what the opportunity represents for them and their areas of focus.

1. What are your current focuses within your role or professional development and how do you feel attending UKREiiF will support them?

We are witnessing a generational shake-up of local government in England at a time of mounting political instability. By attending UKREiiF I will be sharing my insights on what this means for clients and how we can help with their engagement strategies.

This will be my first time attending UKREiiF and my current key area of focuses is the Sport and Stadia sector. I’ll be actively seeking to engage with clients and continue to raise my profile within the industry.  

Whilst I have attended UKREiiF before, this will be my first time as an Assistant Planner and I’m sure it will be a whole new experience! At this stage, I am really trying to get to grips with the industry and planning practise. I know that UKREiiF will expand this knowledge massively.

2. How have you found preparing for the event and what are you most looking forward to exploring whilst you’re there?

Gathering information about events and attendees at UKREiiF has been refreshingly accessible. One of my goals at UKREiiF is to speak with as many LPAs as possible, so I am armed with a list!

Preparing for UKREiiF has required a lot of planning, but it has been both insightful and enjoyable. My diary is now well-organised, and I’ve identified numerous sessions I’m keen to attend. I’m particularly excited about the networking opportunities and gaining insights into current Sport and Stadia trends and developments in the South East of England.

Preparing has taken a lot of organising to make sure I can attend everything, there is so much to listen to and learn from this year! Whilst I am there, I am really looking forward to exploring the LPA pavilions and those I have worked with so far, listening to their future visions. I’m also looking forward to contributing to a number of sessions in my role representing Regeneration Brainery as an ambassador, on topics including the green economy, regenerative design and supporting young people enter the industry.  

3. What insights are you hoping to take from UKREiiF to help shape your current work or focus areas?

An area of growth for me is progressing how to further leverage insights from data in our work. I am keen to expand my knowledge of how others in the industry gather, refine and analyse data, so that I can continue to incorporate and build upon our skills as part of our overall Strategic Communications approach.

I hope to gather valuable insights from industry leaders on emerging trends in planning to inform my current projects and broaden my knowledge. I’m also keen to share these insights with co-owners in my office upon returning and to gain fresh perspectives that will support my contribution to future projects.

I am hoping for UKREiiF to inform two of my focus areas. The first being to absorb as much about the planning sector as possible, meet as many people as possible, and return to the office with lots of actionable insight. Secondly, as a Regeneration Brainery ambassador, I would like to speak to as many employers as possible about the opportunities available in hiring young people.

If you would like to meet Ryan, Josh or Jay at UKREiiF 2025 – reach out to them directly to arrange a meeting.  

Click here find out more about our team of delegates attending UKREiiF 2025.

15 May 2025