Quarter 3 economic briefing
Join us of for our final Economic Outlook Event for 2026 as we explore the challenge: if capital is still available, but costs, occupier demand, planning and uncertainty creating friction, what does it actually take to get projects moving?
This panel will explore a fundamental question facing London and UK development: is planning really the barrier to delivery, or is the industry bringing the wrong schemes to market?
The discussion will examine where capital is being deployed, which schemes are genuinely progressing, and why many viable projects continue to stall. Panellists will consider the impact of planning, viability, finance, regulation and construction costs, alongside evolving occupier demands driven by AI, hybrid working and workplace flexibility.
The debate will move beyond diagnosis to identify practical solutions, examining what developers, investors, planners and policymakers can do differently to accelerate delivery while responding to market needs.
The session will conclude with a forward-looking assessment of where participants would invest in London today, what they would avoid, and the single change most likely to unlock greater development activity.
Our Chair Christine Baltas will also share the key headlines of the latest Confidence Index.
Speakers
Jason Smith
Jason Smith is a highly accomplished real estate executive with more than 30 years’ experience spanning development, investment, transactions and asset management. A recognised London market specialist, he has held senior leadership roles with Structadene Group, Grosvenor and Tishman Speyer. Known for his commercial acumen and extensive industry network, he advises on strategic property initiatives, capital deployment and value creation.
Jonathan Baines
Jonathan Baines is Head of the London International Investment Office, advising sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors and family offices on major real estate, infrastructure and clean energy investments. With experience spanning global advisory firms and sovereign wealth capital, he specialises in unlocking investment opportunities across real estate, data centres, sustainability, SMRs and transformational development projects throughout the UK and Europe.
Lydia Morrow
Lydia joined Lipton Rogers Developments in 2020, bringing with her over 28 years of experience in the construction and development industry and has successfully delivered a wide range of both new build and refurbishment projects for prestigious clients. Her project portfolio is diverse, spanning from a lottery-funded youth centre to the RIBA Stirling Prize-nominated Angel Building.
Rhonda Curliss
Rhonda Curliss is a transformation strategist, entrepreneur and Non-Executive Director with a track record of helping organisations achieve sustainable growth, cultural alignment and commercial success. As Co-Founder of Grey Lemon and Founder of Grape Monkey, she combines business strategy with behavioural insight to unlock leadership potential, drive organisational change and create high-performing teams.
Join us
Connect with other directors, develop yourself and influence the people that matter.
Free registration with IoD
Stay up-to-date on issues that affect directors and get access to free resources.