International investors at MIPIM urged to be part of Derby’s ‘incredible story’

The leader of Derby City Council has urged international investors to come forward and be part of the city’s ‘incredible’ regeneration story.

Addressing a targeted investor audience at a special breakfast event held at this year’s MIPIM global real estate fair, Councillor Nadine Peatfield urged attendees to “talk to us” about the exciting investment opportunities that exist in the city centre.

The event was organised by Team Derby – made up of members of Marketing Derby’s inward investment team, Derby City Council, along with business representatives, supported by East Midlands County Combined Authority (EMCCA) – were in France pitching for investment at the biggest property investment show in the world.

Investors were briefed on how Derby city centre is reinventing itself – and how they can be part of that journey.

Councillor Peatfield, who is also the Deputy Mayor for the East Midlands, said: “The truth is that we have an incredible story to tell in Derby – one of investment opportunities rooted in our incredibly strong economy.

“Those opportunities are both commercial but also – and this is really important to us – regenerative. My message to you is very simple – talk to us.”

Derby was backing the UK’s drive to attract more international investment by being part of a major new exhibition space at this year’s MIPIM – the UK Hub.

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

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

Derby had a presence within the hub, alongside other major UK cities such as Manchester, the West Midlands, Newcastle, Cardiff and Liverpool.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “Derby is proud to be featured in the UK Hub.

“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.”

Derby also featured in a UK Cities Playbook in Estates Gazette, further raising its profile with attendees.

And, Derby used its stand 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. To read the City Centre First for Offices Prospectus visit Derby City Centre Office Prospectus.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield 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 also promoted 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 £75 million Cavendish Building that is due to open later this year.

Team Derby also supported the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) in raising awareness of Derby’s rising reputation as a centre for nuclear technology with incentives to be had at locations such as Infinity Park Derby, part of the East Midlands Investment Zone.

The strength of Derby’s economy, including the fact that Rolls-Royce, recently landed a £9 billion submarines contract with the UK Ministry of Defence, was a key part of Derby’s pitch as potential investors heard how Derby has the highest salaries in the Midlands, well above the UK average.

Team Derby were involved in a busy programme of events, presentations and one-to-one meetings with potential investors, with the investment team at Marketing Derby set to follow up on conversations and leads in the coming months.