Ascot: ‘London too expensive - park life beckons?' asks Thames Valley Property Forum conference

The re-emergence of the Thames Valley as an alternative location for investors, developers and occupiers will be the major theme of this year’s Thames Valley Property Forum (TVPF), which takes place on Thursday September 11 at Ascot Racecourse.

With growth across the South East forecast to be 3.3% according to a recent Centre for Economics study, the full-day conference will look at how the region is emerging from the shadow of London.

Speakers from the public and private sectors will examine how towns across the Thames Valley, including Reading, Slough and Maidenhead, are benefiting and how the effect is being felt by those further afield such as Guildford, Hemel Hempstead and Basingstoke.

Being held once again at Ascot Racecourse, TVPF will tackle a number of key themes, including the logistics and distribution sector, retail in the region and the continuing health of business parks. Keynote speakers will also address the impact of the growth of the digital economy on the Thames Valley and the future of Heathrow.

An impressive line-up of speakers has been assembled with Juliette Morgan, head of property at Tech City UK, providing the morning keynote with an overview of the requirements of the increasing number of digital occupiers and how this might shape the future property market. The afternoon keynote will be given by John Holland-Kaye, executive director of Capital Investment at Heathrow Airport, considering the implications of the Davies Commission’s initial report for businesses in the Thames Valley.

Other speakers include representatives from a host of Thames Valley firms such as Gareth Osborn of SEGRO, Fiona Brownfoot from Hicks Baker and Tim Harding from Haslams. The public sector is strongly represented by Crossrail on the infrastructure side and speakers from both Maidenhead and Bracknell regeneration teams.

Matthew Battle, director of UK Property Forums which enables TVPF, said: “We started the Thames Valley Property Forum in 2004 and I think we’re celebrating 10 years with the strongest conference yet.

“There is a palpable sense of optimism around the region; developments are coming out of the ground and Crossrail is on its way. People really feel that the Thames Valley’s time has come.”

For more information, a full list of speakers and to book tickets, click here.