Torbay heads to national forum to pitch £130m transformation plan

Torbay Council will attend the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) for the third consecutive year in May, as it seeks to attract further private sector investment to the area.

Representatives from the council and its regeneration partners, Willmott Dixon and Milligan, will travel to Leeds from 20 to 22 May to join more than 16,000 industry professionals at the national event.

This year, the council will launch its new Investment Prospectus, with the aim of bringing new partners to be part of Torbay’s ambitious transformational journey supported by £130m of public funding.

Significant progress is already underway, with multi-million projects moving forward in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay.

The Torbay team will contribute to panel events and roundtable discussions throughout the three-day forum, including sessions on coastal regeneration, collaborative partnerships and sustainable development.

Key events featuring Torbay Council representatives include:

Tuesday 20 May, 16:00–17:30

Multi-town regeneration: Harnessing the power of place

Anne-Marie Bond, Chief Executive of Torbay Council, will speak as part of a panel examining how multi-town projects can revitalise communities through public-private collaboration.

Location: Willmott Dixon Pavilion

Wednesday 22 May, 16:00–17:00

Torbay: Heritage, innovation and opportunity

The council team will formally launch the Torbay Investment Prospectus at their stand.

Location: Stand D52, New Dock Hall

Thursday 22 May, 09:00–10:30

Why do we love to be beside the seaside?

David Carter, Torbay Council’s Director of Regeneration, will join a roundtable discussion with Willmott Dixon, Milligan and Leonard Design on regeneration in coastal communities. This session is by invitation only.

Location: Willmott Dixon Pavilion

Cllr David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council, said: “Here in Torbay we are making the most of government and private sector investment. Our partnership with Willmott Dixon and Milligan, which was a result of us attending UKREiiF for the first time in 2023, is making great strides in bringing forward multiple transformational schemes. This year, we will be showcasing those opportunities with the launch of our investment prospectus and hope to be able to develop new collaborative partnerships.”

Stuart Harris, Chief Executive of Milligan, said: “UKREiiF gave us the platform to connect with Torbay Council and form a regeneration partnership that’s now delivering real change on the ground. What we’ve built together isn’t just regeneration – it’s a blueprint for how public and private sectors can collaborate with purpose, pace and ambition to transform places and communities. We’re proud to be back at UKREiiF in 2025 to showcase the progress we’ve made and share the story of what’s possible when partnership works at its best.”

Chris Wheeler, Regional Head of Land and Development at Willmott Dixon, said: “Since 2023, our collaborative working relationship with Torbay Council has seen us able to shape an exciting portfolio of opportunities. Spanning a number of sectors, they focus upon improving Torbay for future generations of the community through economic growth and sensitive placemaking.”