Renewed optimism as GIIA members gather for annual London Conference

At GIIA’s 2025 London Conference, infrastructure investors, policymakers, and advisors gathered to explore how the UK and Europe can remain globally competitive and unlock the capital needed to meet ambitious infrastructure goals.

In a challenging geopolitical and economic environment, discussions centred on delivery capability, long-term policy stability, and the practical enablers of private investment.

A core focus was the UK’s evolving investment landscape, with participants welcoming the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy as a significant step toward greater certainty. Themes included the importance of policy continuity and pipeline visibility, alongside a renewed conversation about public-private partnership (PPP) models and pension capital mobilisation.

In a keynote address, the Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to infrastructure-led growth and the central role of private capital in that mission. He pointed to the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, the establishment of key delivery institutions such as the National Infrastructure & Service Transformation Authority and the National Wealth Fund, as tangible steps to improve investor confidence, strengthen institutional capability, and crowd in capital at scale.

Conference sessions also explored Europe’s role in a shifting global context, where rising geopolitical risk and industrial policy shifts are influencing investment flows. While Europe and the UK remain attractive destinations for long-term capital, speakers stressed that predictable regulation, cross-border coordination, and early engagement with investors will be essential to turning strategy into delivery.

Our conference highlighted a shared commitment across public and private sectors to align policy, capital, and capability in support of long-term infrastructure goals. While challenges remain, the outlook was one of cautious optimism: with the right delivery frameworks and institutional focus, both the UK and Europe can remain attractive, resilient destinations for global infrastructure investment.

A full photo album of the night is available to view and download on our Flikr page. 

Photo caption: Rt Hon, Darren Jones MP