Hertfordshire made a clear case for mayor-led devolution, positioning itself as ready to deliver growth at scale with an £11.5 billion pipeline of investment opportunities and a programme of high-impact discussions at the UK’s premier investment forum.

Invest Hertfordshire returned to the UK Real Estate, Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) 2026 in Leeds for a third year, meeting investors, partners and policymakers while reinforcing Hertfordshire’s position as a proven engine of national growth with a strong track record and a pipeline of live, investable opportunities.

Cllr Steve Jarvis, Leader, Hertfordshire County Council said: “Hertfordshire is already delivering nationally significant growth. UKREiiF was another opportunity to show how we can go further and faster with the right powers and partnerships.

Our £11.5 billion pipeline demonstrates the scale of opportunity here – and through mayor-led devolution we can unlock that potential more quickly, with clearer leadership, better coordination and reduced risk for investors. We are ready to play our part in the national growth mission now, and to do so at pace.”

An £11.5bn pipeline of investment opportunity

Hertfordshire’s portfolio of opportunity includes £6.9bn of major pipeline projects, as well as £4.6bn of investor-ready sites, which include:

• Stevenage Station Gateway: a £1.5 billion regeneration scheme in a fast-growing innovation corridor serving major corporations including Airbus, MBDA and GSK
• Watford Junction: a highly connected commuter location, just 20 minutes from London Euston
• Watford Town Hall Quarter: a transformational town centre scheme delivering over 400 homes and health and community infrastructure
• Watford Riverwell: a £500 million project linking new homes with the redevelopment of Watford General Hospital
• Churchgate, Hitchin: a key town centre regeneration opportunity

Driving long-term growth

Hertfordshire also spotlighted a pipeline of large-scale, strategic developments that will drive coordinated growth over the long term – unlocking new homes, critical infrastructure and high-quality jobs at scale.

These include the two new garden towns on the east and west of the county, Hemel Garden Communities with Herts IQ enterprise zone and Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, with another major new settlement, Growing Baldock, in the north of the county.

Championing culture and innovation-led growth

Hertfordshire voices were also central to discussions around how places can drive global investment and support long-term growth.

Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, joined Rebecca Hawkes, Head of Studio at Elstree Studios, to highlight the role of culture, heritage, and sport in driving economic success. They emphasised the importance of streamlining planning processes, supporting creative talent, and better promoting the UK’s cultural offer to international investors. Mayor Peter Taylor, Leader of Watford Borough Council, also took part in a roundtable on how to attract the next stage of UK screen investment. Read the full write-up here.

Cllr Richard Henry, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council, and Mayor Peter Taylor focused on how digital infrastructure supports healthier, more sustainable communities – from data and technology-led placemaking to digital innovations boosting public health, safety, and well-being.

Melanie Miller, Inward Investment Manager, said: “Collaboration was a defining theme for Hertfordshire at UKREiiF this year. By working closely with neighbouring economies, sector clusters and delivery partners, we’re strengthening our role within key growth corridors and unlocking new opportunities for investment.

That collective approach is increasingly putting Hertfordshire at the centre of national conversations around growth, infrastructure and innovation – and demonstrating the value of working as one place to deliver at scale.”

Download the Invest Hertfordshire Prospectus to explore the county’s pipeline of opportunities.