A truly enchanting evening with our fellow Marketing Derby Bondholders on Tuesday 14th October, when Team PDP joined Team Derby at the annual London Embassy, this year in the stunning surrounds of the Tower of London.
The flagship event, now in its 18th year was attended by 200 Bondholders, investors and key stakeholders from Team Derby including the University of Derby, Derby City Council, the East Midlands Combined County Authority, plus some very special guests and once again showcased the incredible success of the “Team Derby” public-private sector partnership in supporting and attracting investment to the city and county.
Arriving at the historic Tower as twilight descended, you were struck by the grandeur of the setting, and the sense of history. Contrasted with the bright lights of the Shard, London City Hall and the City of London reflecting across the river, in one panorama you saw part of the foundations of our capital together with the bright lights of future potential. Something that echoed through the event, with Derby’s industrial heritage providing the bedrock for its future ambitions.
Steeped in British history the Tower of London originally built by William the Conqueror in the 1070s. Over the years the UNESCO World Heritage Site has served as a royal palace, fortress, treasury and as a prison, was a home, of sorts, to such notable names as Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes, Sir Walter Raleigh, Rudolf Hess and the Kray Twins!
Today, famous for its ravens, (who had retired for the evening) securing the Crown Jewels (which were on full and dazzling display) and as a tourist attraction, we were treated to exclusive access.
Greeted and hosted by the Yeoman Warders, we toured the grounds and were lucky to both enjoy and reflect upon “The Tower Remembers”, a commemorative display of 30,000 ceramic poppies, created to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. These were originally made in Derby over a decade ago for a similar installation created by local artist Paul Cummins MBE, who was among last night’s guests.
Following the tours, to the New Armouries for networking, drinks and speeches. These included special thanks to the Embassy sponsor Smith Partnership, and the Dynamic Duo of East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward and Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council and the region’s Deputy Mayor, who talked about the ambition for the city and wider region, its investment opportunities and the role Derby will play in helping deliver local growth plans.
Ambitious words indeed, with a 10-year aim to add £13 billion to the regional economy, build 100,000 homes, get 60,000 people into work and skill up over 200,000 people.
Councillor Peatfield praised the ‘unique’ public-private partnership that exists with Team Derby and the key role it can play in delivering that growth.
She said: “The public-private partnership we have in Derby is utterly unique. We are bigger than the sum of our parts.
“The Government is putting growth at the forefront of how we transform our country. Derby is the poster child for growth. We have all the components – and have the most potential for growth in the entire region.”
Also addressing this year’s embassy was the University of Derby’s vice-chancellor and chief executive, Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL. Marketing Derby had recently announced it is moving its HQ to the university’s brand new, £75 million state-of-the-art Cavendish Building, which is also the new home of the Derby International Business School.
Despite some gentle protests, Professor Mitchell also thanked John Forkin who recently announced he is stepping down from his role as Managing Director for his tireless devotion as both the driving force of Marketing Derby and ambassador of the Team Derby ethos.
Team Derby – Proud to be Bondholders
Having been Marketing Derby Bondholders for over a decade, Planning & Design Practice are proud to be part of “Team Derby”, part of a community of over 350 Bondholders comprising sole traders and SMEs to some of the region’s largest firms and internationally recognised brands.
Richard Pigott, Director and Chartered Town planner at Planning & Design said
“What do London venues The Sky Garden, Lancaster House, Guildhall, Mansion House and the Tower of London all have in common? The answer is that they have all hosted Marketing Derby’s London Embassy event in the last 5 years and I’ve been lucky enough to attend all of them. This is always a great event, and a great reminder that these are exciting times for Derby. 2025 has seen a number of long discussed projects come to life, Vaillant Live, Derby Market Hall and work in earnest on the Friar Gate Goods Yard redevelopment. Based in the city centre, we see daily reminders of the regeneration gathering pace in the city, and the opportunities this creates for our own business – new clients, new collaborations and new incentives to help us recruit the talent we need to help our business thrive.”
