The fifth annual Last Mile Conference convened on Tuesday 14 October 2025 at BAFTA, bringing together over 250 leaders from across logistics, planning, real estate and government to explore the future of the UK’s industrial and last-mile infrastructure.
Against a backdrop of shifting occupier priorities, strained infrastructure, and a rapidly evolving policy landscape, the conference delivered a compelling call for long-term strategy, cross-sector collaboration, and investment in future-ready spaces.
In a the opening panel discussing alignment between the UK’s industrial strategy and institutional capital, Paul Weston, SVP – Regional Head, UK, Prologis, set the tone: “Five years ago, quality was irrelevant – everything was leasing. Now, occupiers demand ESG-compliant, flexible space designed for automation, power resilience and adaptability.”
The session echoed a common frustration: political instability and outdated infrastructure are hampering delivery. Jonathan Holland, Head of Industrial & Senior Fund Manger, Legal & General warned, “Uncertainty drives up the risk premium and makes long-term investment unattractive.”
Paul Frainer, Director of Olive Branch Consulting, and Andy Sawford, Managing Partner of Connect Group, pointed to the potential of the Devolution Act and Planning Infrastructure Bill, if implemented with clarity and consistency. Peter George, Strategic Director for Economy & Sustainability, Ealing Council added that London’s energy limitations remain a critical barrier: “Growth needs power – literally.”
In his keynote, Matt Kinghan, Director of Iceni Projects, delivered research showing the industrial sector’s foundational role in the UK economy:
“Industrial sectors have added over 300,000 jobs in the last decade. They’re central, not peripheral, to the UK economy.”
Matt forecast demand for up to 460,000 new industrial jobs by 2045, driven by reshoring, automation and retail demand. He warned that local plans still underestimate this growth: “Spatial planning needs to catch up with industrial demand.”
In a session on retrofitting, rents and mid-box logistics, panellists – Aisling O’Kane, Director – Place at Avison Young; Kate Howe, Development Director at Tritax Big Box Developments; Peter Day, CEO of Axel Logistics; and Simon Stacey, CEO & Co-Founder of European Green Logistics Space – highlighted rising development costs, stagnant planning reforms, and intensifying occupier demands.
Peter noted, “We’re at a point where either landlords absorb the pain or get creative – rent subsidies, capital contributions, shorter leases.”
Kate described an era of caution, “Even at 80% occupancy, tenants hesitate to relocate or expand.”
The mid-box market, often overlooked, was positioned as a key growth area by Simon: “Investors are starting to take mid-box seriously. More data capture equals smarter investment.”
The panel on evolving occupier priorities featured Phoebe Geake, UK Lead Director for Industrial & Logistics at JLL; Neelum Choudhury, Head of ESG at Tandem Property Asset Management; and Oliver Bycroft, Third Party Capital at Pembury Real Estate.
Phoebe described a surge in Asian e-commerce demand, shifting towards UK-based logistics: “This isn’t about contracts anymore; it’s about being first, fast, and future-ready.”
Neelum stressed the need for collaboration: “Avoiding stranded assets isn’t optional – occupiers increasingly expect resilient, efficient legacy buildings.”
Data centres and AI Growth Zones were highlighted as transformative drivers of economic change, with the potential to contribute over £5 billion to the UK economy, during a session chaired by Carly Vince, Director of Quod. Panellists – Venessa Moffat, Executive Director at Data Centres Alliance UK; Andy Kerr Director of Economy at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority; and Melanie Miller, Head of Inward Investment at Invest Hertfordshire – called for a more agile planning system to enable integration of power supply, digital infrastructure and waste heat reuse from the outset.
Though concerned about the lack of AI regulation in the UK, Vanessa said “I think there’s opportunity for us as an entire country if we use AI right, and actually it can benefit everybody, even if everybody’s not working within the AI industry.” The panel also discussed the need for strategic datacentre planning. As with all applications, Melanie stressed the importance of early engagement with the planning authority on datacentre developments.
Joanna Averley, Chief Planner, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, gave a keynote about the government’s planning reforms and plans to deliver new homes and infrastructure.
Local authorities and planners were frank about the challenges ahead during our final panel, featuring James Guthrie, Director of Quod; Polly Barker, Director of Prior + Partners; Joanna Averly; and Colin Wilson, Assistant Director of Strategic Development and Old Kent Road Regeneration, Southwark Council.
Colin remarked, “You can produce the best planning in the world, but if you don’t have a team capable of implementing it, you’re wasting your time.”
Polly Barker, Director of Prior + Partners, called for measurable strategic planning tied to employment growth: “We need something to work towards – and you have to be able to measure it.”
This year’s Last Mile Conference made clear: the UK’s industrial future depends not just on new policy or more capital, but on a joined-up strategy – one that prioritises energy resilience, workforce infrastructure and spatial planning aligned with actual demand.
The Last Mile Conference team would like to thank the partners and collaborators across government, industry and investment whose support made the 2025 conference possible.
