Hertfordshire’s presence at this year’s UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF 2025) shows how much can change in 12 months.
At UKREiiF 2024, Hertfordshire launched its first countywide inward investment service – Invest Hertfordshire – uniting public and private partners under one banner. One year on, that joined-up approach is paying dividends. In a year, the county’s investment proposition has matured into a focused, investor-led offer underpinned by a robust pipeline of development ready projects.
Instead of broad brush place promotion, our approach to UKREiiF this year focuses on real, tangible opportunities. We have packaged a portfolio of 24 sites across Hertfordshire – collectively worth over £12.9bn – and streamlined our pitch to match investor priorities.
Whether it’s a major town centre regeneration project such as Stevenage’s Station Gateway or Watford High Street, a global life sciences hub or innovation and technology campus, every project we’re showcasing at UKREiiF is backed by clarity and real substance. And we have ambition to do more – operating at scale to have a transformational impact on our local communities and the wider region. We welcome an open dialogue with investors and developers to co-design a better future for our residents and businesses.
Hertfordshire’s pitch for investment is built on strong foundations. The county is a powerhouse of innovation at the heart of the Golden Triangle, with world-class R&D and high-value industry clusters driving UK growth. There is potential to develop a network of Innovation Districts extending beyond the county connecting businesses, universities, the public sector and local communities together.
Digital infrastructure is another key asset. Our gigabit broadband exceeds 90% coverage (above the national average) and Google is building its first UK data centre in the county. Hertfordshire contributed £49.7bn to the UK economy in 2023 and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head is higher than other South East and Eastern regions.
All of this underpins our credentials as an attractive place to invest coupled with offering a high quality of life, a blend of vibrant towns, rural communities and places of outstanding natural beauty – all within easy access to London, other parts of UK and international airports.
We are combining these strengths with concrete commitments to sustainable growth. Hertfordshire will deliver 100,000 new homes by 2031, alongside the jobs, workspaces and transport improvements needed to support them. That includes around 3 million square feet of new, sustainable commercial space at our enterprise zone (Herts IQ) and the development of major new communities such as Harlow Gilston Garden Town and Hemel Garden Communities.
Hertfordshire has proven that when local partners speak with one voice and set out a clear plan, investors respond. Hertfordshire comes to UKREiiF 2025 with confidence and a compelling offer and together we will turn our development pipeline into a lasting success story of sustainable growth; one which benefits our investment partners, county and the country.
Read more on Invest Herts at UKREiiF.
Article written by Angie Ridgwell, CEO, Hertfordshire County Council and Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair, Hertfordshire Futures