Why ‘unity’ is Derby’s superpower

How many of you remember Steve Austin? And no, I’m not talking about the former professional wrestler.

Those of a similar vintage to me will know that Steve Austin was the Six Million Dollar Man.

Never heard of it? Well, it was an American sci-fi action-adventure TV series from the 1970s, starring Lee Majors.

At the time, it was massive and, as a kid, I loved it.

It was about a former astronaut, who after being seriously injured in a test flight crash, is rebuilt using bionic implants that give him superhuman strength, speed and vision.

He is then deployed as a secret agent on all sorts of dangerous missions. Exciting stuff, eh?

The rebuild of Colonel Austin, to give him his proper title, was done at considerable expense – hence the title of the series.

Of course, $6 million was a huge amount of money back then.

But today, while still considered a sizable sum, it probably might only buy you a bionic little finger at best.

Six million back in the 1970s was a major (or should that be Majors?) headline grabbing figure.

So, what would be considered a nailed on front-page figure these days?

Try £9 billion – because that’s how much a deal signed last month between Derby’s Rolls-Royce Submarines and the Ministry of Defence was worth.

Stretching over eight years, the contract, which is known as ‘Unity’, will result in more than 1,000 new jobs, the lion’s share of which will be at Rolls-Royce’s Raynesway site.

And it’s thanks to contracts like Unity that Rolls-Royce is investing heavily in its Derby infrastructure.

The engineering giant has recently appointed the PROPEL joint venture, made up of AtkinsRéalis and Mott MacDonald, to design the expansion of its Raynesway site.

And, in January, it was handed the keys to a new purpose-built warehouse facility at Indurent Park Derby, developed by Indurent.

The numbers around Rolls-Royce at the moment are, quite frankly, amazing.

Another amazing number that was achieved in January was the amount of people who came to our Annual Business Event.

Okay, it wasn’t nine billion – but it was impressive, nonetheless.

More than 450 people packed out Derby Theatre for our annual showcase of what has been achieved in the city over the past 12 months – and, more importantly, what is to come.

With the theme of Passion for Place, this year’s event put the spotlight on those driving change in the city, both physically and socially.

Following the conclusion of the ABE, attendees were encouraged to visit the Derby City Lab to view a new exhibition about Derbion’s masterplan.

On the day, those visits helped the lab achieve a significant landmark as it welcomed its 15,000th visitor.

The core aim of the lab is to engage and inform the public about the city’s regeneration story – and it’s amazing to think that in just a couple of years it has managed to attract so many people.

This year, the lab will relocate to the newly-transformed Derby Market Hall – where it will continue to play its key role in engaging people in the city’s future.

It has been said before that 2025 is a very important year for Derby as major schemes, like the aforementioned Market Hall, along with Becketwell Live and the University of Derby’s Cavendish Building, come online.

But it is also a key year for rail as the city celebrates the 200th anniversary of modern railways.

A whole host of events are planned to celebrate this landmark – with our train-maker Alstom playing a central role.

In January, the firm announced a new managing director for the UK and Ireland as it starts the year with renewed optimism following the challenges at Litchurch Lane 12 months ago.

Alstom’s Derby site will soon start making more trains for the Elizabeth Line – but in the meantime, it has been good to report on the progress of some of its other projects – not least that of the Derby-built monorail cars currently being tested on a new network in Cairo.

But January wasn’t all about our giants of industry. There were notable stories of success elsewhere in our Bondholder community.

For example, technology company Alton Valley, which achieved a record £7 million turnover last year.

The firm has grown from a start-up into a supplier of advanced network and security solutions, primarily serving the defence engineering sector.

And even though the year is only just getting going, the city has already witnessed some key property deals.

One of the most noteworthy saw MWH Treatment – a national provider of water, wastewater and environmental services – signing a deal for the old Barclay’s offices in Sir Frank Whittle Road/Stores Road.

The deal, which was secured by Salloway Property Consultants, will see the firm make the 10,400 sq ft building its new headquarters.

So, it would be fair to say that Derby has started 2025 well – and with all the new developments launching this year, the positive news should be set to continue.

And that brings me back to Steve Austin and his superpowers.

For me, Team Derby is our superpower. You only had to be at Derby Theatre at our ABE to realise that.

Assembled in that room was the cream of Team Derby – people who all share the same goal and that is to make the city a better place.

The city will thrive if we all share that same spirit of togetherness – or unity, if you like (to borrow the name of a massive Rolls-Royce contract!).

Anyway, have a safe and productive February and I look forward to catching up with you again soon.