Lunar21 are really pleased to host the first of a regular blog update from our Sponsors, Marketing Derby.
Working with local and regional partners strengthens the Invest in Derby offer and underpins not only Marketing Derby’s team ethos, but that of Bondholders across the city. Find out how….
As a public-private partnership, working closely with others to raise Derby’s profile and deliver an effective inward investment service for the city is crucial.
A genuine sense of shared purpose can be found in the way we work with, and are supported by, our Bondholders. In the city, the willingness of Bondholders to roll out the red carpet to potential investors with specific questions or issues about locating in Derby is key for providing local advice and practical assistance. Further afield, Bondholders regularly help at our Embassy events as Derby ambassadors networking with VIP investors, and as Q&A panellists in front of national and international audiences.
Recently a delegation of public and private sector representatives from Derby, led by Marketing Derby, exhibited at the London property convention, MIPIM UK. Their support, professional insight and camaraderie were invaluable, with investors commenting that the Derby team was a seamless blend of public and private partners.
Our partners tell us how much they value these opportunities too – helping them raise their business profile with key audiences, meeting new contacts, spending time with local decision-makers and getting the inside line on the city’s plans, plus being associated with the Invest in Derby product.
Overall, they feel a sense of pride in being part of “Team Derby”, showcasing our city. Our strategy for attracting inward investment has consistently focussed on waving the flag for Derby at either our own prestigious and well-respected events, or at nationally and internally significant exhibitions, as the regeneration journey that Derby has embarked upon continues.
This year at MIPIM UK, the next wave of opportunities available in Derby, including Derby City Council sites coming to market, highlighted in the new Masterplan, and development opportunities at the city’s Enterprise Zone, Infinity Park Derby, were discussed with investors.
In preparation for MIPIM UK 2016, Marketing Derby held a private investor reception at the Ritz to showcase why Derby is an excellent opportunity for investment.
In a demonstration of the city’s successful private-public partnership approach, ambassadors from Derby’s public and private sectors came together with UK investors and developers to highlight some of the city’s recent development successes and pipeline projects, as well as the next wave of opportunities.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director John Forkin said: “Derby has already attracted £3bn of investment, but the city is still a work in progress, which is why we are delighted to see so many colleagues from the investment community.”
Following a welcome from Deputy Leader of Derby City Council, Cllr Martin Rawson, guests heard from John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, and Paul Harris, Director of Economic Development at Rolls-Royce plc, who spoke about the importance of its Derby HQ in its global operations, its investment plans for the city, including a civil aerospace campus, and its support for Derby’s Enterprise Zone, Infinity Park Derby which, with its position alongside Rolls-Royce’s civil aerospace HQ, will be a key site for the UK’s advanced manufacturing sectors.
Whilst one of Marketing Derby’s company values is “Derby First”, we continue to work collaboratively across the region with other investment promotion agencies to showcase our combined strengths. Derby is part of the “Power of 3” initiative, with Nottingham and Leicester supported by East Midlands Airport, and we will be working on new promotional activity across D2N2.
We are also collaborating under the Midlands Engine brand, and recently hosted a meeting at Riverside Chambers of every inward investment agency across the Midlands. These agencies will come together as one team under the Midlands Engine banner at MIPIM, the world’s largest commercial property fair, to be held in Cannes 2017.
The Midlands Engine will also undertake its first trade and investment mission to China and a wide range of investment opportunities in Derby and Derbyshire will be presented to Chinese investors in both Shanghai and in Hefei, by a delegation of private and public partners from Derby and the wider county.
Memoranda of Understanding will be signed with Hefei, and Anhui Province, to develop closer relationships which are vital to doing business in China. Huge opportunities exist for Midlands’ companies to forge new trade and investment links overseas post-Brexit, and Derby’s successful partnership approach stands us in good stead for this.
Andrew Lowe: Marketing and Communications Manager for Marketing Derby
I’m Derby born and bred and after studying and developing my career in the East Midlands, my home city always stood out as a family-friendly place – my family and I love it here!