Rail campus plan launches with Secretary of State’s visit

Plans to create a new campus in Derby devoted to companies and organisations involved in the rail sector have been officially launched.

A joint effort between Derby City Council, Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT), East Midlands Combined County Authority, and wider stakeholders, Rail Campus Derby aims to become a key hub for the UK’s rail industry, supporting collaboration across all facets of the sector.

Last month, more than 200 delegates and stakeholders attended the launch at Reach Events, on Pride Park, including Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh MP, and the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward.

The event explored opportunities for railway businesses and organisations from across the country to co-locate businesses or key personnel alongside the new headquarters for Great British Railways at the proposed campus.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Derby; one that will create more training and jobs for local people, and bring huge opportunities for further regeneration.”

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “The new Rail Campus will be a hub of learning and innovation. It will bring together public and private sector organisations in a collaborative environment, working towards faster and more efficient outcomes for all the railway’s stakeholders.”

Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh MP, said:  “Derby is already a hub for rail with the largest concentration of innovation and expertise in Europe, and I was delighted to see how the local council plans to expand this even further through a new rail campus.”

Rail Campus Derby was born out of Great British Railways’ mission to create a simpler and more efficient railway system for everyone in Britain.

With its impressive rail heritage and position at the heart of Europe’s largest rail cluster, Derby is the ideal location for this industry-wide hub.

For more than 180 years the city has been a leader in the rail sector, which still employs more than 11,000 in the area.

In 2023, Derby was chosen as the new home of Great British Railways, beating off competition from five other shortlisted cities from across the UK.

Great British Railways Transition Team, a key driver in Rail Campus Derby, has already established a presence in the city while the search for a permanent GBR headquarters continues.

The campus launch included speeches and presentations from leading national rail organisations and key regional stakeholders, including John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby.

He said: “The city is already home to the largest cluster of rail companies in Europe and the rail campus concept levers the new GBR headquarters to further extend our hub of excellence as we shape the railway of the future.

“We sense there will be many inward investment opportunities as a result.”

Councillor Peatfield said: “Rail Campus Derby will not only preserve our rail heritage but will also be a catalyst for future economic growth, bringing together all aspects of the railway industry, attracting more investment, and creating further opportunities for collaboration across the sector.

“I know the potential that Derby has. We already boast an incredibly skilled workforce and are home to major players and an unrivalled rail sector.

“By working together, we can make Rail Campus Derby the beating heart of the UK’s rail network.”

Claire Ward said: “As the Mayor of the East Midlands, my vision is to ensure that local people have the skills they need to access the well-paid jobs that this industry provides.

“That’s why we will be investing in training programmes and creating new opportunities in partnership with Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire’s educational institutions.

“We want to see local people – our young people – benefiting from the jobs and careers this project will generate.”

Rufus Boyd, lead director of Great British Railways Transition Team, said:  “The presence of GBR HQ in Derby is just one component of the Rail Campus Derby vision.

“This event was about driving collaboration between the private sector, the supply chain, local government, and educational partners.

“Bringing the sector closer together and offering the chance to co-locate, share knowledge, and experience work across different businesses will embed the practices, culture and behaviour Britain’s railway must embody to succeed. This is the essence of Rail Campus Derby.”