Team Derby shares its passion for making city a better place

There is a shared passion to make Derby a better place – that was the main message delivered at this year’s Annual Business Event.

Yesterday morning, ‘Team Derby’ assembled inside Derby Theatre as almost 500 people packed out the venue for Marketing Derby’s annual showcase, which featured fascinating keynote speakers, engaging panel discussions and inspiring films.

The event, which had the theme of ‘Passion for Place’ heard from a number of key individuals, all of whom are playing their part in improving the city.

And the audience, made up of Marketing Derby Bondholders, stakeholders and partners, was given an insight into the many exciting major developments set to open this year, dubbed Derby’s ‘olympic’ year.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “Here in Derby, we have a wide group of people who really care about the place they live, work and play in – and want to play a part in that improvement.

“Our Bondholders enable us to do the things we do. We don’t take this for granted. 350 companies who, in tough times, choose to fund what we do. If anything illustrates passion for place, it’s our list of Bondholders.”

Speaking at the event, Bob Betts, chair of Marketing Derby, said: “In this room we have close to 500 people who collectively employ over 40,000 people.

“If we can harness the passion of those 40,000 people, we can really do great things for this great city of ours.”

At this year’s Annual Business Event, after opening comments from Mr Forkin, Marvin Cooke OBE, professor of enterprise at the University of Derby, came on stage to interview East Midlands Mayor and East Midlands Combined County Authority figurehead Claire Ward and Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council – and East Midlands Deputy Mayor – both of whom were speaking at the ABE for the very first time.

It was then time for a panel discussion, which focused on Derby’s ‘olympic’ schemes – the game-changing projects, which will drive the city forward.

Panellist Paul Harwood, director of partner and places at Great British Railways, talked about the positive knock-on effects of the new rail body locating its headquarters in Derby, while Dr Nicola Lynch, head of the University of Derby’s Derby Business School, talked about how the new £70 million Cavendish Building – the new home of the business school – will benefit businesses.

Hana York, venue manager at Derby Market Hall, which is set to open soon following a £35m transformation, talked about how the revamped venue will boost the city’s retail and cultural offer.

Another venue which is sure to attract more people to the city is Becketwell Live, which is also due to open in the next few months.

Marcus Sheehan, Becketwell Live’s general manager, told the ABE audience what to expect from this stunning new performance, events and conferencing venue.

Finally, Beth McDonald, managing director at Derbion, shared the thinking behind the shopping centre’s updated masterplan, which would see three sites developed within its Derby city centre footprint.

A new exhibition detailing those plans has this week opened at the Derby City Lab for those who wish to find out more.

Marketing Derby’s Rising Star competition aims to give fledgling businesses a helping hand, and at the ABE the 2025 winner – The Early Years Community – received its award from last year’s winner, Joshua Leach-Aslam, of Two Chevrons Group.

And, finally, Jackie Wild, chief executive of SmartParc, took to the stage to deliver the popular ‘Dare to Dream’ speech in which she explained how Derby was leading the way in helping address the threats posed to the UK’s food security.