Derby joins UK’s drive to attract more international investment

Derby is backing the UK’s drive to attract more international investment by being part of a major new exhibition space at this year’s MIPIM global real estate fair.

Today sees the official launch of the UK Hub at MIPIM, which is taking place in Cannes over the next three days.

MIPIM, which attracts around 25,000 people, sees cities and regions from around 90 countries converge to pitch for investment.

The new UK Hub is designed for regional authorities, developers, and private sector leaders to showcase their projects, expand their network and generate new business opportunities.

Derby has a presence within the hub, alongside other major UK cities and regions, including London, Manchester, the West Midlands, Newcastle, Cardiff and Liverpool.

Team Derby, which is made up of a combination of public and private sector partners and members of Marketing Derby’s inward investment team, are currently in Cannes, promoting city centre schemes to investors from across the globe.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “Derby is proud to be part of the UK Hub at MIPIM 2025.

“With cities and regions from across the world represented, MIPIM is an incredibly competitive environment in which to pitch for investment – so being part of a UK-wide effort makes perfect sense.”

Among the media partners for the UK Hub is Estates Gazette, which provides data, news and analytics for the UK commercial property market.

And in its special MIPIM edition, Derby is featured, further raising its profile to MIPIM attendees.

This morning, Derby used its stand inside the UK Hub to launch its City Centre First for Offices Prospectus, showcasing office opportunities – both existing and planned – within Derby city centre.

The publication aims to persuade investors to back schemes designed to encourage more employers to consider the city centre as their base.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, who is also in Cannes as part of Team Derby, said: “A key part of our city centre transformation is encouraging greater numbers of workers by creating more offices in new premium buildings.

“That strategy starts today, and we are talking to developers about how to make this happen sooner rather than later.”

In addition to showcasing its potential as an office location, Team Derby is also promoting a number of other pipeline projects and opportunities within the city centre.

They include the Cultural Heart of City, which involve proposals for the former Assembly Rooms site and the University of Derby’s wider plans for a City Campus, which would follow on from its impressive £70 million Cavendish Building that is due to open later this year.

Away from the city centre, investors are also learning how they can tap into Derby’s rising reputation as a centre for nuclear technology – with incentives to be had at locations such as Infinity Park Derby, which has Investment Zone status.

And as well as promoting its own schemes, Team Derby is also supporting the activities of its partner organisations such as the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).