Last week, our CEO, Hannah Davies, attended the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) hosted in Leeds — a landmark event bringing together public and private sector leaders to shape the future of development across the UK. This year, UKREiiF turned a much-needed spotlight on “The Great North” — with Hannah and the NHSA, being a key part of the conversation: 

“For my first ever time attending UKREiiF, I had the privilege of advocating for both our alliance members and the North of England at three separate events over three days, in partnership with Mayors, health leaders and Combined Authorities. 

“The event also saw the launch of a groundbreaking partnership that will mark a new and significant era of prosperity for northern regions, unlocking economical potentials in impactful ways. The Great North was unveiled at the event by the northern Mayors, along with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner – and I was pleased to be able to start conversations about how the NHSA can be part of this incredible potential. 

Championing the North: Advancing health innovation ecosystems  

“On the Tuesday, I took part in a private roundtable hosted by Metro Dynamics and the Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign, about the health innovation ecosystem.  The session, featuring examples from Cambridge, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Edinburgh, asked the big questions: What investment models actually work? How can we align finance, policy, and institutions? And, ultimately – how do we move health innovation districts from ambition to delivery?  

I brought to the table the North’s potential in this space, outlining the barriers that prevent our regions from reaching that potential, and detailing what needs to be done to make the North thrive. It was important to have a seat at this table and ensure that the North has strong representation to ensure that when it comes to health innovation, the North is at the forefront.” 

Joining the Mayors: Health Research Equality across The Great North. 

“On the Wednesday, it was an immense privilege to be able to join three of the North’s Metro Mayors – Tracy Brabin (West Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard (South Yorkshire) and Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester) — to discuss the North’s untapped potential in health innovation and the worrying disparities in clinical research funding, at an event hosted by South Yorkshire Combined Authority. 

“The NHSA’s analysis on clinical research funding – which shows that across the North equating to £26 per person is spent compared to £69 per person in the South East – was cited, and we discussed how to break the cycle of unequal research and innovation funding across the country. 

“Our Health Equity North (HEN) research was also mentioned by the Mayors, including our Woman of the North report, of which Tracy Brabin is a staunch advocate, that exposes the inequalities and challenges faced by women living in the North of England. 

“I also took the opportunity to talk about our recent HEN report around the impact of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) changes on northern economies, demonstrating unequal impact on the wealth of northern constituencies, and why politicians must factor in this impact in when making decision about the future of PIP. 

“The Mayors were in agreement that we need a collective voice to address widening disparities, and that tackling inequalities across the country starts in the North. The fact that some singular buildings in the South receiving more funding than the whole of the North’s health research, shows just how undermined our regions are when it comes to investment. It’s important that the Mayors are fully aware of these stark issues when shaping The Great North partnership, and that they know exactly where the issues lie, and what must be done to address them.” 

Championing the North East to ‘live well for longer’ 

“On Thursday, I got the opportunity to talk about the place I myself live and love – The North East. I spoke at an informal lunch hosted by the NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), with the North East Combined Authority, focussing on the role of innovation in shaping healthy and happy places. 

“We discussed how innovation is transforming the way we build environments that support wellbeing, productivity, and economic growth, highlighting some innovative ways that the NHS is partnering with shopping centres to deliver care, share data and bridge the inequality gap, as well as how spaces can be designed with accessibility and safety in mind. I took the opportunity to give attendees a sneak peek at the newly issued HEN ‘Ghost Towns’ report, which shows the rise in harmful and unhealthy amenities in England’s high streets since 2014 – with some shocking statistics, such as the fact vape shops have risen by 1200% in just a decade. 

“Important discussions centred around how people in the North East and beyond can live an enhanced quality of life and how the region can attract investment, with a focus on urgent and innovative improvement.” 

What’s next? 

“The three panel events I took part in allowed me to build strong new connections with partners in the sector who have the same values and aims as the NHSA – to build a healthier, more innovative North, which will be home to a hub of leading expertise and world-class clinical excellence. I have come away from UKREiiF with ideas, valuable connections and huge amounts of inspiration.  

“We already have Mayoral backing for several of our initiatives, including the Institute for Preventative Health Research proposal and the Woman of the North Charter, and so to continue to ‘have the ear’ of our northern Mayors is an excellent position for our alliance to be in. 

“Perhaps the most exciting aspect to come away with is that will be now exploring ways in which we can work with The Great North, aligning our existing objectives, research and work with their aims to ensure excellence in collaboration benefits the whole of the North, from the right people in the right ways.”