International investors 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 during MIPIM, which is taking place this week in Cannes, 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 – which is made up of members of Marketing Derby’s inward investment team, along with public and private sector officials, supported by East Midlands County Combined Authority (EMCCA) – who have been in France pitching for investment at what is regarded as 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 has a reputation as a place that just gets on with it. We are an inventive, pragmatic place – from over the past 300 years, when we hosted the world’s first factory, to the incredible work being undertaken by Rolls-Royce today. We are a true city of pioneers.”

The breakfast event began by outlining 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, leading the way.

They learned how Derby had the highest salaries in the Midlands, well above the UK average.

And they were also told that Derby now had £1.9 billion of completed projects, with £722 million in the pipeline.

At the event, Paul Simpson, chief executive at Derby City Council, detailed some of the key projects, which together are helping to make the city the ideal place to “live, work and play”.

He outlined the numerous residential schemes driving Derby’s city living boom, with almost 8,500 homes proposed, in planning, under construction or completed.

Earlier this week at MIPIM, Team Derby launched the new City Centre First for Offices Prospectus, showcasing office opportunities – both existing and planned – within Derby city centre.

Mr Simpson explained how these schemes will attract businesses back to the city centre, adding further footfall and vibrancy.

Finally, he talked about the numerous schemes being delivered in the city, which will make Derby a fantastic place to “play”, including the impending openings of the £45.8 million Becketwell Live venue and Derby Market Hall, following its £35.1 million revamp.

Investors were briefed by Marketing Derby’s managing director John Forkin on 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.

The breakfast event then heard from Steve Parry, managing director of Ion Developments, who, together with VINCI UK Developments, has been working on ideas for the former Assembly Rooms site as part of a project called ‘Cultural Heart of the City’.

He shared the latest visions for the site, including a proposed new four-star hotel, office space known as ‘Derby Works’ and a creative hub called ‘Derby Made’.

And the breakfast event also heard from someone who is already investing in Derby – Atish Parmar, director of Cavendish & London Property Group, who for many years has been regenerating space in Derby city centre and investing in its future.

The event capped off a busy week for Team Derby, who have been attending various presentations and meetings with potential investors during MIPIM.

On their return from Cannes, they will be holding a special Bondholder Inside Track event at Derby Museums’ Museum of Making on Tuesday 18 March.

Taking place from 8am to 9.30am, attendees to the Bondholder-only event will get a first-hand debrief from the team about their time at MIPIM.

For more information visit https://www.marketingderby.co.uk/events/.