UKREiiF: One Big Idea

Creating lightbulb moments for the built environment

What’s your One Big Idea for UKREiiF 2026?

Big ideas are the foundation of the built environment, and we want to use UKREiiF 2026 to celebrate them by asking what’s your One Big Idea to make a difference in the property, construction and investment space.

Share your One Big Idea below and tell us how you or your business is championing bold thinking in our industry to be in with a chance of winning a delegate pass to share your idea at UKREiiF 2026.

Step 1.

Submit your One Big Idea using the form below. It can be a game-changing product or service, a new way of tackling one of the industry’s biggest challenges, an innovative concept or just an idea to make the built environment a better place.

Step 2.

All ideas submitted by Friday 13 March will be reviewed by a panel of industry experts, with the best overall selected to present at UKREiiF 2026. Even if your idea isn’t selected, don’t worry – you’ll receive an invite to the event and the opportunity to feature in our One Big Idea report post-event.

Step 3.

Those selected will share their idea at our One Big Idea Breakfast on Wednesday, 20 May as part of a Q&A session hosted by the Cartwright team. On the day, our judges will decide on a winner to be crowned UKREiiF 2026’s One Big Idea.

Need some inspiration?

Here are some ideas already submitted for 2026:

Fixing construction’s talent shortage by redesigning how people enter the industry.
A built-environment skills pipeline that connects schools, colleges, employers and live projects – using paid placements, digital credentials and clear career pathways to attract and retain the next generation.
A new delivery model that aligns net zero outcomes with commercial viability.
A cross-sector framework that blends retrofit finance, planning flexibility and long-term asset value to make net zero development stack up financially – without relying on unrealistic grant funding.

Giving young professionals a voice and a platform for action.
A peer-led initiative where early-career professionals collaborate across disciplines to solve real local challenges—producing practical recommendations, pilot projects and fresh thinking that organisations can actually implement.
Unlocking delivery for people priced out of ownership and underserviced by rent.
A scalable housing model focused on mid-income workers, combining modern methods of construction, institutional investment and long-term stewardship to bridge the gap between affordable and private housing.

Submit your One Big Idea.

Frequently asked questions

All ideas should be submitted by Friday 13 March and then will be reviewed by a panel of industry experts, with the best overall selected to present at UKREiiF 2026

Absolutely. The built environment is a massive ecosystem and there’s no monopoly on big ideas, and we’re encouraging submissions from all levels of seniority and size of organisation.

You can – those with an entry that is shortlisted will receive a complimentary ticket to attend all three days of UKREiiF 2026, so there’s no reason not to apply.

If you are shortlisted and already have a ticket assigned to you, you may transfer the complimentary ticket to another member of your organisation.

Entries for One Big Idea 2026 close on Friday 13 March, with shortlisted submissions being announced week commencing Monday 13 April.

Don’t worry – we want to celebrate all ideas from across the built environment and beyond, and we’ll be collating as many of them as possible in our One Big Idea report, which will be released post-event.