EG shortlists Derby in prestigious national real estate awards

Derby has been shortlisted for two prestigious national real estate awards.

The city has been named as a finalist in two categories at the EG Awards, which are organised by leading property and investment magazine Estates Gazette.

Derby City Lab, which is a collaboration between Marketing Derby, Derby City Council, the University of Derby, Lathams and Clowes Developments, has been shortlisted in the Public/Private Partnership Award category.

Meanwhile, Derby itself has been nominated for the City of the Year Award, lining up against other finalists Birmingham and Cardiff.

Councillor Baggy Shanker, leader of Derby City Council, said: “Successful cities thrive on collaboration and being shortlisted for the EG Awards is wonderful news.

“In my view, it’s a well-deserved reflection of the efforts of many people in the city council and within our many partners.”

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “Marketing Derby believes that the city is now ready to compete on a national platform, which is why we submitted these applications.

“We are delighted to be shortlisted in two categories, which shows how far we have come as a destination for investment and reflects so positively on our partnerships.

“The City of the Year Award – which we are sharing with big-hitters Birmingham and Cardiff – is down to delivery resulting from the hard work of many people over many years. The city’s strong public-private partnership ethos and captures the innovation hardwired into our Derby City Lab.”

The EG Awards are designed to celebrate the cream of the real estate sector, recognising best deals, developments, places to work and upcoming talent.

The Public/Private Partnership Award seeks to celebrate partnerships between the public and private sector that are delivering solutions through real estate.

Launched in June last year, Derby City Lab has been created to engage, inform and inspire people about plans to shape the city going forward.

Housed in a unit in St James Street, provided by Clowes Developments, it is an initiative based on the concept of ‘urban rooms’, which have appeared in various cities around the world, including London, Amsterdam and Shanghai, to help local communities better understand the evolution of their place and engage them in shaping its future.

As well as being the home of Marketing Derby’s Investor Showcase, the venue hosts a rolling programme of exhibitions focused on future pipeline projects and ideas.

Kevin McFarlane, associate director at Clowes Developments, said: “As a city centre property owner we are aware of the challenges across the city.

“Working together with Marketing Derby on the City Lab project ensures we are involved with curating the future of the city.

“It is a true public and private sector partnership, with collaboration from Derby City Council, the University of Derby and Lathams.”

The City of the Year Award seeks to celebrate the UK cities and the work they are doing to create liveable, successful places.

Derby’s pitch for the award, which was submitted by Marketing Derby, is rooted in the extensive work and investment being undertaken to create a liveable and successful city centre, resilient to climate change and completely repurposed to retain more of the wealth it creates.

Paul Simpson, chief executive at Derby City Council, said: “Marketing Derby is an important partner to Derby City Council.

“As the city’s inward investment agency, they advocate regionally, nationally and globally for the city, delivering on the strategic investment targets year on year, and showcasing Derby as a city that is open for business and ‘on the up’.

“They also act as an important conduit to the business community, and as a facilitator to engage in both direct and indirect conversations with businesses across the city.”

Donna Smith, sales director at Wavensmere Homes, which is delivering the £170 million Nightingale Quarter scheme, said: “Marketing Derby has provided invaluable support to Wavensmere Homes since purchasing our first site in Derby.

“They continue to support our growth by acquiring further sites across the city and county.”

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on Tuesday October 17.