Insights

Featuring insight from industry leaders at the UK’s leading property developers, housebuilders, REITs, and investment firms, The Development Index 2026 is an all-encompassing appraisal of what’s happening across the development lifecycle now, and what employers and employees within it need to know going into 2026 and beyond.

New research reveals that the UK development industry is entering 2026 with cautious optimism but is still held back by deep-rooted staffing challenges that are slowing delivery and squeezing project viability. The Development Index – produced by real estate and construction hiring specialist, Cobalt Recruitment – captures the current challenges, along with the opportunities and pressures shaping the year ahead.

At the end of last year, the government published a new draft of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for consultation, running until 10 March 2026. See what the draft NPPF edits mean for Development, Planning Policy and Recruitment.

First came the Northern Powerhouse, then the Levelling Up agenda – and now we have The Great North. Here we explore how changes in policies have shaped the built environment, what they'll mean for the sector over the next decade, and what skills are in-demand and where across the property lifecycle as a result of them.

While planning, projects, and partnerships were standout themes of UKREiiF 2025, people emerged as a fourth, equally crucial pillar, as without the right people, progress in any of the other three areas is limited. See the skills most in-demand from our conversations and the talks at UKREiiF 2025.

From large-scale infrastructure to local regeneration schemes, the energy at UKREiiF 2025 reflected a shift in sentiment. See our roundup of how the common themes from it - planning, projects, partnerships and people, will form the backbone of growth in UK real estate over the coming years.

Following increased investment into the UK and the acquisition of sites, HOH got in touch with Cobalt to search and select a Delivery Development Manager to join their close-knit UK team in London.

See our residential development and town planning case study recruiting for a Senior Development Manager for St.George.

​The recent Energy Landscape UK 2024 conference convened 48 industry leaders, government officials, and stakeholders to explore the UK's path to a net-zero future. See insight from Comanos on the recruitment challenges and opportunities associated with it.

At this year’s UKREiiF, we saw a focus on the development of three key areas: housing, alternative assets, and ESG as a trait running through all areas of the built environment. Find out what this means for recruitment in these spaces.

​UKREiiF this year underscored the transformative potential of renewable energy, highlighting its importance for the planet and the professional opportunities available within it in the real estate sector. See our insights from it.

Currently, only 3% of new housing being built in the UK is designed for Later Living - see our insight from the Later Living Conference on how this is a huge opportunity for planners and developers.