Talking Investment: ‘Strategic investments are driving social impact in Derby’

An organisation that has benefitted from recent new investments in Derby is Upbeat Clean, a social enterprise, which provides meaningful employment to those who need it most.  Here, Michael Gladwell, head of enterprise at Upbeat Clean, explains how forward-thinking organisations are demonstrating that economic growth and social impact can go hand-in-hand.

Derby is experiencing a transformative wave of investment, with social impact and mobility at the heart of its growth.

Through innovative decision-making focused on changing lives, the city is being reshaped by developments of unprecedented scale.

From major government contracts to multinational corporations like Getinge establishing their UK headquarters and Vaillant building state-of-the-art facilities, Derby is on the rise.

Projects such as the Becketwell Live entertainment venue, the University of Derby’s stunning new Business School, the complete transformation of the Market Hall, and landmark contracts at Alstom and Rolls-Royce signal a new era for the city.

Meanwhile, Wavensmere Homes is revitalising key areas of the city centre, solidifying Derby’s position as a hub of innovation and opportunity.

But amidst this surge of investment, a critical question arises: how do we ensure these economic developments benefit those who need opportunities the most?

At Upbeat Clean, a charity-owned commercial cleaning company, we are passionate about ensuring these investments positively impact individuals and communities often left behind during periods of economic growth.

Over the past year, we’ve seen how companies like Vaillant and Getinge lead the way by partnering with social enterprises like ours, combining the need for excellent cleaning with life-changing employment opportunities.

Working with Vaillant has been a privilege. From the outset, they were committed to maximising the social value of their investment in Derby.

Their need for immaculate, high-tech office and factory spaces led them to partner with Upbeat Clean through connections facilitated by Marketing Derby.

This partnership not only ensured their cleaning needs were met but also created life-changing opportunities for local people that matched their social goals.

Similarly, Getinge’s decision to align their impressive UK headquarters with social impact goals demonstrates their commitment to Derby’s community.

These partnerships go beyond business transactions; they are blueprints for how investment can generate tangible social change.

Getinge chose Upbeat Clean specifically to ensure their cleaning budget would align with their values, create jobs that reflect their social goals, and maximise impact, with all profits reinvested into charity.

This strategic procurement model benefits the company and the wider city.

Looking ahead, we are excited about upcoming collaborations with some of Derby’s most significant developments.

While we can’t reveal all the details yet, these partnerships will enable us to expand our impact further, raising more funds for charity.

Since April 2023, our team has grown from 15 cleaners to 35 cleaners and five cleaning managers.

By the end of this year, we expect to exceed 60 team members, creating over £500,000 in Real Living Wage employment in 2025 alone.

These aren’t just jobs—they are pathways to empowerment, stability, and growth.

In a time when too many employed people rely on foodbanks and have insecure work with poor pensions, our employees enjoy Real Living Wage pay, genuine sick pay, generous holiday entitlements, and holistic support.

These benefits – often overlooked in the cleaning sector – transform lives, provide stability for families, and uplift communities often excluded from economic growth.

Marketing Derby has been instrumental in fostering connections and driving socially conscious investment. Their commitment to ensuring Derby’s growth benefits all its residents has been inspiring.

Together, we are proving that strategic investment can lead to real social mobility and meaningful change.

We are also encouraged by the evolving focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments.

While environmental sustainability often takes centre stage, businesses increasingly recognise the importance of the ‘S’ in ESG.

It’s exciting to see organisations ask, “How can our investments drive social change?”

By seeking to generate impact across all levels of society, they complement the creation of professional roles with initiatives that uplift disadvantaged communities.

Vaillant, Getinge, and other forward-thinking organisations in Derby have shown that economic growth and social impact can go hand-in-hand.

By investing in both infrastructure and people, they set a powerful precedent for others to follow.

At Upbeat Clean, we are proud to play our part in this transformative period for Derby.

By reinvesting our profits into the community, we amplify the social impact of these projects, ensuring the benefits of this extraordinary moment are felt across every corner of our city.

Together, we are turning Derby’s opportunities into lasting, meaningful transformation.