Showcasing County Durham’s Space to Grow at UKREiiF

As part of the North East England delegation at UKREiiF 2025, County Durham’s ‘Space to Grow’ panel forms a key moment in a regional programme showcasing the North East as a powerhouse for investment, innovation and inclusive growth.

Hosted under the banner of ‘North East England: The Future is Here’, the region-wide presence features high-profile speakers, investor roundtables, and panel sessions highlighting major strategic opportunities.

On Wednesday 21st May at 1.00 – 2.00pm on the Scope Public Sector Stage, Floor 2, Royal Armouries in Leeds, County Durham takes centre stage with an expert panel titled “County Durham: Space to Grow – An Opportunity for Investors, Developers, and Businesses to Unlock Their Potential.”

Durham’s panel aligns with the unified regional voice, illustrating how the county contributes to the North East’s vision of being a world-class location for real estate, infrastructure and economic transformation.

This one-hour session will explore how County Durham is redefining what it means to create spaces for growth — not just physical, but strategic, collaborative and future-facing.

A Platform for Growth Across High-Impact Sectors

From Advanced Manufacturing to Life Sciences, Space, Net Zero, Fintech and Microelectronics, County Durham is building momentum across multiple high-growth sectors. This panel brings together leaders from industry, academia, development and local government to spotlight how the county’s collaborative ecosystem, strategic sites, and innovation-led vision are shaping a compelling investment destination.

Meet the Panel: Visionaries Driving County Durham’s Future

Mark Stamper – Head of Inclusive Economy and Partnerships, Durham County Council

Mark Stamper, Head of Inclusive Economy and Partnerships at Durham County Council, will host the ‘Space to Grow’ panel discussion at UKREiiF 2025. With a strategic leadership role in driving economic growth, inward investment, regeneration and employment across County Durham, Mark brings a comprehensive, council-wide perspective to the conversation.

As host, he will open the session by welcoming attendees and setting the scene — introducing the purpose of the event: to explore how County Durham offers genuine ‘space to grow’ for investors, developers and businesses, and how the county is positioning itself as a springboard for opportunity and innovation. Throughout the session, Mark will guide panellists through key themes including the role of strategic sites like NETPark and Aykley Heads, the implementation of the Inclusive Economic Strategy, and how public-private-academic collaboration is creating the foundations for sustainable, inclusive growth.

Dr Arnab Basu MBE – CEO, Kromek Group Plc

An influential business leader and global innovator, Dr Arnab Basu is the founding CEO of Kromek, a world leader in radiation detection technologies. With a track record that includes significant private equity funding rounds, major acquisitions and pioneering work in medical imaging, nuclear detection and security screening, Arnab brings invaluable insight into scaling tech businesses in County Durham. He will reflect on the significance of the region’s infrastructure, support networks and talent pipeline — including Kromek’s own growth journey at the North East Technology Park (NETPark) in Sedgefield.

A prominent figure in the wider business community, Dr Basu plays an active role in shaping regional and national economic strategy. He has recently become a member of the Advisory Board for the North East Investment Zone. He has held senior positions across organisations such as the North East LEP, Innovate UK, and several academic and trade bodies. His broad experience reflects a long-standing commitment to innovation, regional growth, and international collaboration.

Richard Baker – Director of Economic Development, Durham University

Representing one of the UK’s top research institutions, Richard will speak to the university’s vital contribution to economic growth, including its strengths in science and technology, commercialisation of research, and development of graduate talent. With assets such as Orbit at NETPark and plans for new developments at Aykley Heads, Durham University is integral to the innovation ecosystem being built in County Durham.

Raife Gale – Senior Development Manager, Muse Developments

Representing Muse Developments, Raife Gale brings a development partner’s perspective to the panel, drawing on the company’s extensive track record of delivering high-impact regeneration projects across the UK. As Muse’s Senior Development Manager, Raife is closely involved in one of County Durham’s most ambitious schemes — the transformational development of Aykley Heads.

On the panel, Raife will articulate how the Aykley Heads project offers a compelling vision of ‘Space to Grow’ — a prime, accessible location designed to evolve into a vibrant Innovation District. He will explore how the scheme is being brought to life through collaboration between Muse, Durham County Council, Durham University, and the private sector, with a focus on creating a dynamic environment that fosters innovation, attracts investment, and supports business growth.

Raife will also discuss the wider role that strategic development plays in enabling economic growth — not only by providing physical space, but also by helping shape the ecosystem and infrastructure that forward-thinking businesses need. Through this lens, he will contribute to the discussion on how integrated partnerships and long-term vision are key to unlocking County Durham’s potential as a destination for enterprise and investment.

Sarah Slaven – Managing Director, Business Durham

As Managing Director of Business Durham, the business support service for Durham County Council, Sarah Slaven brings over three decades of experience in economic development and partnership working. She plays a pivotal role in delivering the county’s business support programmes and managing key assets such as NETPark — one of the UK’s leading science parks — along with a portfolio of commercial office and industrial space.

As a panellist, Sarah will present the Council’s strategic vision for ‘Space to Grow’, highlighting initiatives driven by the Inclusive Economic Strategy, including the Durham Innovation District, the expansion of NETPark, and other development opportunities across the county. She will discuss how infrastructure investment and long-term planning are creating fertile ground for tech-led sectors — particularly Space and Advanced Manufacturing — and how Business Durham’s work supports enterprise from start-up to scale-up.

Alison Clark – Head of Culture, Sport & Tourism, Durham County Council

With over 25 years of experience in culture and place leadership, Alison Clark offers valuable insight to the ‘Space to Grow’ discussion. As Director of Culture, Sport and Tourism at Durham County Council, she plays a key role in developing and delivering the county’s strategy across these sectors — supporting cultural programming, visitor economy growth, infrastructure projects and sporting initiatives.

On the panel, Alison will articulate how culture, sport and tourism are fundamental to County Durham’s offer as a place to invest, live and thrive. She will explore how these sectors contribute to creating a vibrant, attractive environment that not only draws in visitors and talent, but also plays a key role in supporting wider economic growth and business retention. From world-class events and heritage destinations to community-based initiatives and active travel networks, Alison will highlight how Durham’s cultural assets and experiences enhance quality of life and underpin the region’s identity.

She will also discuss the power of collaboration across sectors, particularly between cultural organisations, businesses and developers, in maximising Durham’s ‘Space to Grow’ potential. This includes the promotion of Durham’s Place Brand, which helps unify messaging and elevate the county’s appeal to investors and visitors alike.

From Strategy to Impact: Key Themes Driving Growth in County Durham

The discussion will explore three key themes:

1. What ‘Space to Grow’ Means Today

   – Going beyond land and property to include supportive ecosystems, finance mechanisms, and partnership frameworks.

   
   

2. Sector Strengths as Catalysts for Opportunity

   – A deep dive into County Durham’s growing prominence in technology, space, life sciences and more.

   
   

3. Collaboration as a Cornerstone

   – How joint action between academia, the private sector, developers and government is shaping a unified growth strategy.

   
   

Why Attend?

Whether you’re an investor, developer, entrepreneur or policymaker, this panel offers a rare opportunity to connect with the people shaping one of the UK’s most exciting regional success stories. From strategic sites to high-impact sectors and a shared commitment to innovation, County Durham is ready to welcome those looking to grow with purpose.

Find out more about what County Durham can provide for you Unlock Your Future in Durham - Durham-UK