A panel of property experts is set to discuss the importance of connectivity in delivering great places in a high-level discussion hosted in Birmingham on Thursday 5th June 2025.

Taking place at CBRE Birmingham (Temple Row), the free event will feature council MD, Joanne Roney CBE, who will discuss, along with several other panellists, opportunities facing city regions and why working together, through devolved powers, presents plenty of opportunities for delivering great places.

The event has been curated by global consultancy, Hatch, whose director of social advisory, Emily King, will speak on the day.

“Placemaking is far more than buildings themselves,” said Emily.

“A crucial aspect of placemaking is ensuring places, as well as their diverse and variable elements, are appropriately connected, in order to suitably serve the people who live and work in them.

“Infrastructure is a broad term that incorporates many elements and I’m looking forward to exploring, along with my peers, which are the key elements to get right, what’s getting in the way of provision & delivery and how we can overcome both real and perceived challenges.”

Encompassing a mix of public and private-sector specialists, the panel comprises:

  • Joanne Roney CBE, managing director at Birmingham City Council
  • Thomas Skidmore, head of integration – Transport at West Midlands Combined Authority
  • Mark McFadden, director at CBRE
  • Danny Crump, director of Urbanism at Layer Studio
  • Patrick Doig, group procurement and finance director at Transport for London
  • Emily King, director – social advisory, Urban Solutions at Hatch

The event forms part of a series organised by Hatch, dubbed Shaping UK Places, which convenes industry leaders to discuss devolution, connectivity and social impact; all with the ambition of driving solutions for thriving places.

Places are free but limited and can be booked here

 

ENDS

 

Image attached: Joanne Roney CBE

 

Notes to editors:

Whatever our clients envision, our teams can design and build. With over six decades of business and technical experience in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors, we know your business and understand that your challenges are changing rapidly. We respond quickly with solutions that are smarter, more efficient, and innovative. We draw upon our 10,000 staff with experience in over 150 countries to challenge the status quo and create positive change for our clients, our employees, and the communities we serve.

Find out more on www.hatch.com.