Latest News | 15 June 2021
Marketing Derby chief made MBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours
The managing director of Marketing Derby has been made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021.
John Forkin, who has led the inward investment agency since its inception in 2006, has received an MBE for services to international trade and investment.
Bob Betts, managing director of Smith of Derby and chairman of Marketing Derby, said: “Every city needs a champion and an ambassador. Marketing Derby has been so lucky over the years to have John lead in these pivotal roles throughout some of the most challenging years the world has literally experienced.
“Our city development, job creation, and literally putting Derby ‘on-the map’ globally, has been so successful and now, rightly, John has been recognised for his incredible and diverse contribution.”
John said: “I’m as surprised as I am delighted and genuinely accept this is a reflection of years of hard work, together with many great people, in what we call Team Derby.
“Between us, we have helped to change the lives of thousands of people by bringing new employment and creating new opportunities that make Derby and Derbyshire a better place to live, work and visit.”
Under his stewardship, Marketing Derby has attracted more than 5,000 jobs to the city and £500 million investment, as well as helping to retain 7,500 jobs.
The majority of John’s career has been devoted to promoting Derby and securing investment to fund the regeneration of his home city.
Today, he is a member of the Derby Economic Recovery Steering Group, the Court of the University of Derby and is chair of the Midlands Engine China Trade and Investment Group.
The MBE is the latest in a series of individual honours for John.
In 2015, he was named Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors for the East Midlands region and Business Insider gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award for services to regeneration.
In 2019, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Derby and in 2021 was made a Deputy Lieutenant for Derbyshire.
His latest individual honour comes hot on the heels of Marketing Derby winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation last year.
Bob said: “I am proud to be chairman of Marketing Derby and this award, following on from the Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation, which the company gained in 2020, is testimony to John’s dedication, leadership and a boost and thank you to his whole team.”
