Derby Embassy turns 10 at Rolls-Royce

The Derby City Embassy is returning to Rolls-Royce today (26 May) as it celebrates its 10th birthday.

Marketing Derby and the Bondholder scheme was originally launched at Rolls-Royce in 2006; the intention to hold an Embassy event in London was also announced.

The first Embassy was held in the House of Commons and was hosted by then Foreign Secretary and current Derby South MP Dame Margaret Beckett.

The event was attended by 120 of the most powerful and influential people from Derby, including business leaders, major employers, politicians and civil servants.

Embassies have since been held in prestigious UK locations such as Downing Street and the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, as well as overseas locations including Cannes and Monaco, during MIPIM.

The investor reception at Rolls-Royce is part of a calendar of events to celebrate Marketing Derby’s tenth anniversary.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “In celebrating our tenth year, and the levels of investment secured by Derby in the last decade, we wanted to bring the our Embassy home and are delighted that this Rolls-Royce are hosting this Investor Reception.

“Derby’s public-private partnership ethos is a key factor behind the successful attraction of over £3bn of investment since 2006.

“Today’s event is part of our plan to secure the next wave of investment for Derby.”

Colin Smith, group president of Rolls-Royce, said: “Rolls-Royce is delighted to host this event celebrating 10 years of Marketing Derby. Congratulations, and thank you for your tireless efforts to create a positive business environment in Derby.

“Over the last 10 years Rolls-Royce has invested in Derby at unprecedented levels, including a recent £30m factory extension to help deliver the best-selling Trent XWB and our state-of-the-art Apprentice Academy to train the next generation of Rolls-Royce engineers.

“We also work together with local schools and the wider community to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers and we support the Derby Manufacturing University Technical College.

“We will continue to invest in Derby with plans for a Rolls-Royce Aerospace Campus and as partners in Infinity Park Derby. We look forward to working with Marketing Derby for the next 10 years.”