Investors given food for thought at MIPIM breakfast event

Investors have been learning about the major investment opportunities Derby has to offer at a special breakfast event held at MIPIM this morning.

Held at the Eden Hotel, in Cannes, the event gave a focused message to a targeted investor audience of up to 50 people.

It was hosted by Team Derby, made up of members of Marketing Derby’s inward investment team, along with public and private sector officials, who are currently in Cannes, flying the flag for the city at what is regarded as the biggest property investment show in the world.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “Our MIPIM breakfast event was the first for three years and we were able to catch up with regional and national stakeholders, as well as introduce new investors to the opportunities we have in the city and county.”

Councillor Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: “People are really impressed with Derby’s economic story, both with our recognised strengths in advanced manufacturing and in our diversification, attracting recent inward investments such as SmartParc, Vaillant and Getinge.

“At the same time, in the conversations I held, they appreciated we are on a journey in repurposing the city centre – with some successes already in the bag and ready now to take the next step.”

At the event, Paul Simpson, chief executive of Derby City Council, outlined the major names who had already committed to investing in the city’s future.

He hailed the success of SmartParc SEGRO Derby, a brand-new food manufacturing hub being created on the former British Celanese site, which has already attracted big names such as Hello Fresh.

He also cited two recent investments by major international manufacturers at St.Modwen Park Derby, a brand-new business park being developed by St. Modwen Logistics.

German-owned heating technology firm Vaillant and Swedish medical technology manufacturer Getinge, have both committed to taking space at the development.

Paul also mentioned the rapid progress being made at Becketwell, with completion nearing on Grainger Plc’s Condor build-to-rent apartments scheme – and the forthcoming performance venue, which will be operated by ASM Global.

He then went on to discuss three key city centre schemes, which were ripe for investment – the new Assemble learning theatre on the site of the Assembly Rooms, the University of Derby’s new Business School and wider plans for city centre campus and Derbion’s masterplan to create hundreds of new homes and commercial space.

The event also included a presentation by David Williams, deputy chairman of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership about proposals for a devolution deal for the East Midlands, covering Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

The Government has offered new powers to Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham, along with at least £1.14 billion of funding, through the proposed creation of an East Midlands Combined County Authority.

Local leaders are backing devolution to promote economic growth, secure more investment in our area, for more and better jobs, and for better transport, skills training, housing, and an enhanced greener environment. It would also mean more power in local hands.

A formal proposal was developed, outlining how devolution would work in the area, which was the focus of a recent public consultation.

The results of that consultation were recently published, which showed general support for the plans.

So far, it has been a busy week for Team Derby in MIPIM.

On Tuesday, as well as giving a pitch about Derby’s investment opportunities at the Invest City Focus event, in the EG Pavilion, Paul Simpson also took part in a debate called ‘City and Growth: Opportunities for Investment and Partnerships’, alongside Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff City Council.

On the same day, Bob Betts, chairman of Marketing Derby, and Councillor Poulter, collected Derby’s award for its placing in the prestigious Financial Times’ fDi European Cities and Regions of the Future 2023 rankings.

Derby was placed fourth within the Top 10 Small European Cities for FDI Strategy category, which recognises the cities who have devised the strongest strategy for attracting investment.

This evening, John Forkin will give a talk at the UK Government Midlands Reception, speaking on behalf of the East Midlands region.