The Midlands is entering a defining period of growth, investment, and transformation. In its inaugural event, Place Midlands is bringing together the region’s movers and shakers to weigh in on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Taking place on 23 June at The REP & Library of Birmingham in the heart of Birmingham, M-RES will unite senior leaders from across the built environment sector for a full day of insight, debate, and high-level networking.
Headline speakers already confirmed include East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, Birmingham City Council managing director Joanne Roney, City of Wolverhampton chief executive Tim Johnson, alongside a host of key industry figures including Capital&Centric founder Tim Heatley, Muse Midlands managing director Maggie Grogan, and many others.
Delegates can expect a packed programme of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and strategic conversations focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the region.
Alongside the main event, attendees will benefit from curated networking opportunities including a private leaders’ dinner, and a closing drinks reception aimed at connecting decision-makers, investors, developers, consultants, and public-sector leaders.
Backed by a growing list of influential industry partners including Muse, West Midlands Growth Company, Arcadis, Brookbanks, GIA, Waterman, Caddick Construction, Bruntwood SciTech, Placefirst, Curtins, Trowers & Hamlins, and Cavendish, M-RES reflects increasing confidence in the Midlands as a powerhouse for investment and regeneration.
Learn more about sponsorship and partnering opportunities with Place Midlands at M-RES
Alongside regeneration and infrastructure, the summit will tackle major market themes including build-to-rent, industrial development, and brownfield renewal, bringing together leading voices from Capital & Centric, Muse, Savills, HS2 Ltd, Bruntwood SciTech, and many others.
Confirmed speakers include:
Mayor Claire Ward, East Midlands Combined County Authority. In May 2024, Claire Ward was elected Mayor of the East Midlands, representing 2.2 million people across the region. She has responsibility for transport, skills and adult education, housing and land, net-zero, and economic development. As the chair of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, the Mayor works with partners across the region and beyond to deliver transformational change for the East Midlands. The Mayor also acts as a champion for the region, influencing Government at a national level to boost growth and innovation, shape policy, and access further funding. She previously served as MP for Watford from 1997-2010 during which time she served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice from 2009/10.
Joanne Roney, managing director, Birmingham City Council. Born in Shard End, Birmingham, Roney began her career in local government as an apprentice with Birmingham City Council at 16. She went on to become the first female chief executive of Manchester City Council before returning home to Birmingham as the city council’s managing director in 2024. Throughout her career to date, she has built a strong track record in transforming public services and delivering major regeneration initiatives across many cities in the UK. Roney has extensive experience in local government, having previously worked as director of housing at Kirklees Council and executive director with responsibility for housing, communities and adult care services at Sheffield City Council.
Tim Heatley, co founder & director, Capital&Centric. Heatley qualified as a lawyer, working as a board director with a national property company before co-founding Capital&Centric in 2011 with Adam Higgins. He has delivered many high-profile regeneration projects in partnership with local authorities. Heatley is Chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, raising £3m in the last two years to help eliminate rough sleeping. Heatley has won prestigious awards such as the UKREiiF Property Personality of the Year for his entrepreneurial approach and social impact. Heatley is leading on the generation of new business and has been responsible for identifying a number of large-scale projects including Weir Mill in Stockport and the Goods Yard in Stoke-on-Trent. Heatley established Regeneration Brainery, assisting those from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds to get into the property industry. Heatley’s funding expertise and relationship with Homes England secured a £7m grant for Weir Mill.
Maggie Grogan, managing director, Muse. Grogan joined Muse in 2020 and having launched the Midlands office in 2022, she secured Muse as regeneration partner for the £3.2bn Arden Cross project – one of the Midlands most important regeneration opportunities. Grogan has also led a ground-breaking deal between the English Cities Fund – a partnership between Muse, Homes England, and Legal & General – and the City of Wolverhampton Council to regenerate City Centre West, one of Wolverhampton’s most important projects. In less than three years Grogan has risen through the ranks, blazing a trail for women in property and becoming the first female regional Managing Director at Muse, delivering the Company vision to create new places across the Midlands.
Eliot Postma, partner & group leader, Heatherwick Studio. Since joining Heatherwick Studio in 2010, Postma oversees a portfolio of projects that spans the Americas, Europe and Asia. Projects include a 62,000-capacity stadium for Birmingham City Football Club; the transformation of the 14-acre Olympia London site; the Hainan Art Center in China, which will be home to three performance halls which seat 3,800 people; a new school for sustainable design for Universidad Ean in Bogotá, Columbia.
Huw Edwards, delivery director for stations and placemaking at HS2. A chartered civil engineer with over 30 years’ experience in the delivery of major infrastructure projects, Edwards has worked on the Jubilee Line extension, Crossrail, HS1 and the Docklands Light Railway. He is passionate about maximising the positive social and economic impacts of transport schemes.
A full list of confirmed speakers can be found at the M-RES event and booking page.
With billions of pounds of development reshaping the region, M-RES offers a front-row seat to the future of the Midlands built environment. Book your tickets today to be part of the journey.