Public and private sector leaders from across the East of England have come together on 5 March at The Hold in Ipswich for the 2026 Infrastructure & Investment Conference, a landmark event designed to accelerate investment, shape strategic priorities, and strengthen the region’s voice in national decision‑making.
Building on the success of last year’s conference, the event brought together council leaders, MPs, national agencies, university partners, infrastructure providers and major investors to set a unified agenda for the region’s long‑term growth.
A highlight of the day was the official launch of Invest East, the region’s new inward investment proposition, unveiled by Jack Abbott MP, the Member of Parliament for Ipswich.
Speakers included Cllr Graham Butland, Chair of Local Government East, Terry Muckian of Skanska UK, Tom McGarry of National Grid, and leaders from Suffolk County Council, Greater Essex, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, and Infrastructure Matters.
A region with national significance
The East of England is one of the fastest‑growing areas of the UK and a consistent net contributor to the Treasury, a key message of Invest East. The conference places particular emphasis on infrastructure as a catalyst for productivity, clean energy, connectivity, and new housing.
Invest East is a successor to the Opportunity East: The East of England’s Investment Prospectus, a £4 billion pipeline of investment-ready opportunities in the region which was published at UKREiiF last year.
Jack Abbott MP, Member of Parliament for Ipswich and Chair of Invest East, said “I am proud to launch Invest East today and to highlight the immense potential of our region.
“The East of England has long punched above its weight. We are a net contributor to the UK economy, powering national growth, bolstering our country’s food and energy security, and leading the way in technological and scientific innovation. As I have said repeatedly, back us, and we will deliver.
“That is why I have helped establish Invest East, building on the £4 billion inward investment prospectus we published last year.
“We have a window of opportunity to finally deliver the infrastructure and investment the East of England needs, but we have to be ambitious enough to take advantage of this moment.”
Cllr Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council and Chair of Local Government East said “Today’s conference is about speaking with one strong, united voice for the East of England. For too long, underinvestment has held our region back, we currently receive around £8 billion less than expected each year. Yet our contribution to the national economy is undeniable.
By bringing together leaders from across government, business and industry, we are building the partnerships and consensus needed to secure the infrastructure investment that our communities and our economy urgently need. This conference is a statement of intent: we are ready to deliver, and we are ready to grow.”
Dominic O’Donnell, Managing Director, Infrastructure Matters said “The East of England sits at the heart of the UK’s clean energy and innovation future. To unlock that potential, we need coordinated investment in strategic infrastructure, from transport links to grid capacity to water resilience.
Infrastructure Matters is proud to partner with Local Government East on this conference because collaboration is essential. By aligning priorities and showcasing the scale of opportunity, we can attract the public and private investment required to deliver projects that will transform places and improve lives across the region.”