The built environment sits at the heart of thriving communities, shaping how we live, work, and connect. At the Connected Places Summit, explore how innovation, investment, and inclusive growth come together to create sustainable, future-ready places across the UK.
From digital planning and smarter public procurement to regeneration, retrofit, and housing innovation, this is where policy meets practice, where local authorities meet innovators, and where construction meets creativity.Expect cutting-edge insights from leaders driving regional growth and transforming local economies — showcasing demonstrators from across the UK that are decarbonising industries, expanding digital infrastructure, and unlocking new funding models.
Explore how integrated design, intelligent infrastructure, and collaborative delivery are shaping people-focused, affordable, and sustainable places that drive genuine social and economic value.
Join us at the intersection of the built environment and local growth, and help shape the places of tomorrow.
Attended in 2025
Previous speakers who took the stage
Join leading voices reshaping the built world, from housing and retrofit to high streets and placemaking.
Our speakers will spotlight the breakthroughs transforming property, planning, and the future of our places, driving sustainable, affordable, and people-centred environments.
Speaker
Lorna Pimlott
Managing Director, Local Authority Advisory & Lending
National Wealth Fund
Speaker
Dan Labbad
Chief Executive
The Crown Estate
Speaker
Dr Michèle Dix CBE
Council of Expert Advisors
National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority
Speaker
Graeme Craig
Director & Chief Executive
Places for London
Speaker
Jamie Bartley
CEO
Unyte Group
Speaker
Lolita Jackson MBE
Executive Director of Sustainable Cities
Sustainable Development Capital LLC
Speaker
Laura Fleming
Country Managing Director (UK & Ireland)
Hitachi Energy
Speaker
Natalie McIldowie
Client Delivery Director
Jacobs
Speaker
Steve Phipps
Head of Materials Engineering
Balfour Beatty VINCI
Lorna Pimlott
Managing Director, Local Authority Advisory & Lending - National Wealth Fund
Dan Labbad
Chief Executive - The Crown Estate
Dr Michèle Dix CBE
Council of Expert Advisors - National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority
Graeme Craig
Director & Chief Executive - Places for London
Jamie Bartley
CEO - Unyte Group
Lolita Jackson MBE
Executive Director of Sustainable Cities - Sustainable Development Capital LLC
Laura Fleming
Country Managing Director (UK & Ireland) - Hitachi Energy
Natalie McIldowie
Client Delivery Director - Jacobs
Steve Phipps
Head of Materials Engineering - Balfour Beatty VINCI

The Connected Places Summit is a great platform for networking and information exchange."
Sunderland City Council


The Summit demonstrates the Catapult's convening power, and has been a fantastic platform for networking, learning and innovating together."
TECHUK

The countdown is on
Tracks
Transport
From clean energy and future fuels to next-generation infrastructure and connected systems, the Transport Track explores how innovation is transforming the way we move people and goods. Featuring a showcase of pioneering SMEs, this track highlights the technologies driving decarbonisation, resilience, and growth across the UK’s transport sector.
Construction and local growth
This track explores how digital planning, modern infrastructure, and innovation are reshaping the built environment. Showcasing SMEs on their scale-up journey and real-world success stories like the West Midlands demonstrators, we’ll spotlight how innovation in construction and place-making drives productivity, sustainability, and economic growth across the UK.
Data infrastructure
Data is the backbone of the UK’s future infrastructure. This track explores how data sharing, digital connectivity, and advanced analytics are enabling smarter decision-making, stronger resilience, and more efficient delivery across transport and construction. Featuring a showcase of pioneering SMEs, we’ll highlight the innovators turning data into real-world impact, building the foundations of a more resilient, connected, and competitive UK.
Pitch & partner
Where the brightest innovators shaping the future of transport, construction, mobility and data take centre stage. In this fast-paced, interactive showcase, cutting-edge SMEs and scale-ups will pitch breakthrough solutions to real-world industry challenges, from greener mobility to smarter infrastructure.