London Embassy salutes and celebrates the ‘Team Derby’ spirit

The public-private partnership that is driving forward positive change for Derby has been celebrated at Marketing Derby’s latest London Embassy event.

Held last night in the stunning surroundings of Mansion House, home and office to the Lord Mayor of London, more than 200 guests, including civic leaders, Bondholders, investors and ambassadors came together to hear about the investment momentum and regeneration plans for Derby – the UK’s Capital for Innovation.

Backed by headline partner Smith Partnership, the reception heard presentations from a number of keynote speakers, including East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, who was attending her very first London Embassy event.

As well as outlining the strength of Derby’s economy, the embassy also paid tribute to Marketing Derby’s Bondholder community – and the spirit of partnership that exists within what has become collectively known as ‘Team Derby’.

This year’s embassy was the 500th Marketing Derby event – and special celebrations took place on the night to recognise the landmark.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “We see these events as an opportunity to meet each other, to network and to celebrate – but also to say, ‘thank you’.

“The support you give as local civic leaders, as partners, as stakeholders, as businesses, to our inward investment work is absolutely crucial.

“That’s what I believe we have here in what I call ‘Team Derby’.”

Following introductory remarks by Mr Forkin, Alice Hunt, group communications director at Rolls-Royce, Derby’s largest private sector employer, addressed the embassy to talk about why the engineering giant is continuing to invest in the city.

The firm, which hosted the first ever Bondholder event back in 2007, has been in Derby for more than 100 years. The city is home to its Civil Aerospace and Defence divisions.

In recent years, the firm has been investing heavily in nuclear, including at its Raynesway site, which will build power plants for the AUKUS submarines, and in the creation of a Nuclear Skills Academy – creating the nuclear engineers of the future.

Alice said: “Derby is in the blood of Rolls-Royce and we’re really proud of our heritage – but also excited about the opportunities which lie ahead.

“We are now full speed ahead on our transformation – and we believe we can take Rolls-Royce to the next level. All of this is good news for Derby as we are investing in our growth.

“But we can only succeed if we have the support of our partners and suppliers. Long term partnership will always be at the heart of what we do at Rolls-Royce.

“Our success is the region’s success – which is why Rolls-Royce will continue to fully support Marketing Derby and the incredible work it does to showcase everyone in this room and the wider Derby community.”

Claire Ward is the figurehead of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, which is aiming to attract more investment to the region.

With the East Midlands now having a much stronger voice, she outlined how EMCCA planned to reverse decades of underinvestment and create new employment opportunities – and called on everyone in the region to work together to help achieve those aims.

She said: “Our role is to highlight the East Midlands – to show that devolution can work for us – and that we can indeed be a greater sum than our parts.

“Derby is at the heart of everything we will do in that. I look forward to working with you to make the East Midlands the best region to live in, to work in and to learn in.”

Attending her first London Embassy as leader of Derby City Council, Councillor Nadine Peatfied, who was recently made Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, shared the story of a “city on the rise”.

She outlined why 2025 was shaping up to be a “pivotal year” for Derby, with major regeneration and public realm projects taking place, many of which have been made possible thanks to investment “that has been achieved in partnership”.

She talked about the £35 million revamp of the Market Hall and the importance of the regeneration of Becketwell, including the new £45 million Becketwell Live performance venue, which is due to open next year.

And she also talked about the city’s continuing evolution, following the recent launch of Rail Campus Derby, which bring further opportunities for new investment.

Nadine said: “Derby is a city on the rise, brimming with ambition and a bold vision for our future which we are determined to make a reality.

“We’re a city of innovators, of pioneers. We’re resilient, progressive and we are always evolving.

“But it’s not all about bricks and mortar – Derby is about people. Team Derby is not just a concept, it’s a force to be reckoned with.

“I would like to thank our partners and Bondholders for your unwavering passion and support, which makes such incredible progress possible.

“With Team Derby as a part of EMCCA – and importantly, EMCCA as a part of Team Derby – we are a collaborative powerhouse for change.

“To investors, I say, come and talk to us. We have a compelling story to tell. We know the potential that Derby has. I invite you to join us, to shape the future of Derby.

“Being part of Team Derby is not just about being from Derby – it’s about being ambitious for, proud of and a collective advocate of Derby.

“The ethos is simple. Together as one team we can achieve extraordinary things for our city. Go Team Derby!”