Salamanca Group’s Director of Sustainable Communities, Esther Croft, chaired a panel discussion at the South West Housing and Construction Conference, hosted by Homes England.
The conference gathered leaders from housing, construction, and economic development to highlight opportunities in the South West and its role in the UK growth agenda. Aims included attracting investment, strengthening collaboration, and showcasing the region’s housing pipeline.
The “Opportunity” panel, chaired by Esther Croft, examined how Homes England, major employers, and registered providers can demonstrate the strength of the South West housing pipeline. Panel members:
- Sir Oliver Letwin, Homes England Board Member
- Brendan Staniforth, Business Planning Director, Babcock International
- Matthew Peachey, Service Director of Inclusive Growth, Swindon Borough Council
- Louise Swain, Chair of Homes for the South West and CEO, Alliance Homes
Discussion covered housing demand, economic activity, and the scale of development needed to attract new investment. Themes included urban regeneration, skilled workforce needs, and long-term housing delivery.
Speakers emphasised that housing delivery supports both population needs and economic growth. They reinforced the South West’s position to deliver against the Government’s target of 1.5 million homes while boosting regional competitiveness.
Esther Croft commented: “I would like to thank Homes England for inviting me to chair this panel, and thank you to the panel members, whose energy and optimism were perfect for the end of a thought provoking and positive day for the region.
Together the panellists show cased clear examples of why investors need to pay close attention to the opportunities that the region can provide.”
Closing the session, Ms Croft stressed the importance of the sector working together to raise the profile of the region amongst national investors and to provide consistent messaging about why this is a region that should be at the forefront of their business strategies.
About Salamanca Group
Salamanca Group is a UK-based strategic investor, focused on investing in transformational opportunities that intersect real estate, energy, and infrastructure.
We stimulate economic uplift by creating sustainable employment opportunities for future generations in clean growth industries. We also address the need for quality homes and leisure environments, fostering long-lasting positive social impact.
We work with governments, investors, and local communities to accelerate strategic sites that align with our vision. Our experience and expertise underpin how we transform underutilised locations into globally competitive destinations.
Our work ensures that leading global companies are drawn to invest in the UK, establishing economic hubs that deliver sustainable employment for future generations while fostering long-term economic prosperity and growth.