Exclusive Rams owner interview in latest Innovate Magazine

The latest edition of Marketing Derby’s Innovate Magazine features an exclusive interview with Derby County owner David Clowes.

The spring edition of the quarterly publication, which provides a window into the amazing and inspiring Derby and Derbyshire business sector, includes a rare interview with the lifelong Rams fan and boss of Clowes Developments, who talks about why he stepped in to rescue the club from the brink.

From joining the protest march of 10,000 supporters to sealing a deal to buy both the club and Pride Park Stadium, David gives the inside story on the Rams saga – and how he is now rebuilding the Rams into a sustainable entity, which is currently challenging for a League One play-off spot.

David more than anyone knows what Derby County means to the city.

It is a powerful brand – and through that brand, much good is done in the community through the work of Derby County Community Trust.

In this edition of Innovate, we catch up with Simon Carnall and his team to find out more about the work the Rams do in the community to change people’s lives.

Someone who spoke out strongly during the Derby County crisis was Derby South MP Dame Margaret Beckett, a vastly experienced politician, who is well versed in handling national and international matters.

However, come the next General Election, for the first time since 1983 Dame Margaret’s name won’t be on the ballot sheet in Derby South, as she steps away from politics.

She sat down with Innovate to reflect on her lengthy career in politics – a career which saw her as the first ever female Foreign Secretary.

In her career, Dame Margaret travelled the world – but not quite as energetically as Leigh Timmis, the incredible Derby endurance cyclist.

Fresh from his latest record-breaking challenge (covering the greatest distance ever ridden on a bike in seven days), Leigh talks to Innovate about his achievements, his motivation and his life on the road breaking records.

Leigh has achieved many landmarks in his life – and an organisation that this year is celebrating a key landmark is Derby Kids Camp.

This year, the charity, which has given holidays and new experiences to thousands of children, is celebrating 50 years.

Innovate catches up with chairman Chris Edwards about the impact it has had on the lives of children – and the key role its supporters and volunteers play in its success.

In this edition of Innovate, we also have a Q&A with Will Morlidge, chief executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, all about the merits of the proposed devolution deal for the region.

The question of devolution is the focus of this edition’s Talking Business segment, which brought together representatives from both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to discuss the pros and cons of both counties teaming up under a regional mayor.

One of the benefits of devolution could be a louder voice for the region on the national stage – something that could be of value in these challenging times.

The doom and gloom in the national media about the state of the country can often sound like a stuck record.

But in his latest column in Innovate, Marketing Derby managing director John Forkin explains why the Derby and Derbyshire soundtrack makes for far more easier listening.

A digital version of the latest edition of Innovate magazine will be available on the Marketing Derby website from next week.