The future of UK infrastructure and the rise of AI-driven data centres will take centre stage in Leeds this May, as thousands of investors descend on the city for the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF).

Law firm Browne Jacobson has announced it will use the event, held at the Royal Armouries from 19 to 21 May, to launch a landmark report alongside the CBI (Confederation of British Industry). The research aims to provide a blueprint for modern Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to help bridge a massive £725bn investment gap in the UK’s national archives.

A new era for Public-Private Partnerships

The report launch, titled Making PPPs work: Bridging the £725bn gap between ambition and delivery, will address how the government can move past the old models of the 1990s to attract private cash for hospitals, schools, and transport.

Craig Elder, Partner at Browne Jacobson, explained that the research will be used to advise Whitehall policymakers on how to tackle the UK’s infrastructure backlog.

“Our panel session at UKREiiF will mark an important milestone in our partnership with the CBI to help shape the future of PPPs. We’re excited to launch new research that will show how to leverage private sector investment to support growth.”

The session takes place on Tuesday 19 May (3.30pm) at the Rethinking Places Pavilion and is open to all conference attendees.

Powering the AI boom

The firm is also hosting a dedicated session on the "nuts and bolts" of building data centres—a sector currently seeing a gold rush due to the surge in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The breakfast event, held at Tattu on East Parade on Wednesday 20 May, will bring together planners, developers, and tech experts to discuss how to actually get these massive digital warehouses built.

Darren Ashworth, Partner at Browne Jacobson, noted that with the rise of AI, the conversation has shifted.

“The question is no longer whether to build but how. We’re looking forward to exploring what it really takes to deliver the next generation of digital infrastructure.”

North of England in the spotlight

By hosting UKREiiF in Leeds, the North of England continues to position itself as the primary hub for discussing national renewal. Browne Jacobson is sending a specialist delegation of 30 lawyers to the forum, covering everything from energy and tech to health and education.

The presence of major institutions like the CBI and national law firms reinforces the region's role in driving the UK’s wider economic strategy.