Construction work will start next month on the first major office complex to be built in the city centre for 20 years, promising to ultimately bring with it 700 jobs.

Thanks to a cash injection and agreement with Derby City Council's Regeneration Fund, Developer Lowbridge (Derby) Ltd has appointed contractors and work is about to begin on the first phase.

John Forkin, Managing Director of Marketing Derby, said "This scheme will provide fantastic grade-A office space and will be very attractive to occupiers looking for a city centre presence.

Another major development, Friar Gate Goods Yard, has won the support of city planners to redevelop the area in a £50million scheme.

Marketing Derby Bondholders and Developers, Clowes, want to build 140 homes, offices, cafes and shops on the 20-acre site, while turning the Grade Two listed warehouse into a supermarket. The scheme would create another 780 jobs in the city and be directly connected into the completed Inner Ring Road.

Adam Wilkinson, Chief Executive of the City Council, said: "With the first schemes helped by the regeneration fund coming out of the ground, we are still talking to other developers and now expect a steady flow of office floor space to start being built”.

In other news, the Council also aims to bring forward its own 30-unit office scheme in Bold Lane. Waiting for approval of funding from the European Regional Development Fund, the Council want to create the Cathedral Quarter Enterprise Centre offering business rates relief for starter companies in Derby.

Marketing Derby Bondholders Derbyshire County Cricket Club and Silver Birch Creative are celebrating a Business of Cricket Awards victory after winning ‘Best Domestic Marketing Campaign’ award for 2011.

Derbyshire County Cricket Club also received a nomination and special commendation from the judges on their community programme ‘The Summer Smile Event’.

Derbyshire Chief Executive Keith Loring said: “We are thrilled to have won this award which comes as thoroughly deserved recognition for everybody involved.

“The hard work of implementing the campaign in all the right areas then began and the excellent attendances we achieved demonstrated how effectively we did that”.

Derbyshire County Cricket Club also worked with Marketing Derby Bondholders Derby Telegraph, Westfield Derby and Derby County Football Club to deliver the campaign.

Silver Birch Creative Owner Karl Shaw said: “We are really proud to represent Derbyshire and bring home this award. This was all achieved through great client relationships and hard work, and obviously creative flare”.

Kavita Oberoi, Founder of Marketing Derby Bondholder Oberoi Consulting, is set to be a keynote speaker at the ‘Inspiring Derby’ event on Thursday 10th November hosted by Derby Hub.

Talking about her success stories and experiences, Kavita Oberoi will also be joined by University of Derby who will discuss the work they do with local businesses as well as their mentoring scheme.

Oberoi Consulting is also offering the opportunity to take part in their Microsoft Office Advanced Word Training Course which is running on the 3rd November.

The training will allow users to work effectively by having the primary knowledge needed to navigate around the key word processing tool.

The University of Derby Online has become a free standing division with an aim to grow into a substantial business arm, after setting a target of recruiting 2,000 online students this year which would create an income of over £2.5million.

Online distance learning has been available at the University of Derby for over a decade but over the last 3 years has seen significant growth. The initiative now scores in the top five Google searches for online study.

Julie Stone, Head of University of Derby Online said, “We focus on our students – we know that they are adults with busy working and home lives, who want to learn something that will enhance their careers, but do so at a pace that suit them. “

The University has added five more programmes to its online provision this September; taking the total number of programmes it delivers online up to 28. Their portfolio includes business, finance, health, education, law, and vocational professions.

 •Company Name: Silver Birch Creative Limited
•Web Address: www.silverbirchcreative.com
•Tel No: 01332 290557
•Email address: info@silverbirchcreative.com
•Location: St Alkmund’s House, 103 Belper Road, Derby, DE1 3ES
•What do you do/ what is your mission statement? We are a graphic design company providing corporate identity, brand identity, brochure design, exhibition and events material, advertising for print and digital media, website design and development, print, photography and much more. Silver Birch Creative believe in meeting clients needs efficiently, finding innovative solutions to fit your timescale and budget. We won’t baffle you with unnecessary jargon and prefer to adopt a friendly yet efficient approach. Working closely with our clients we can often act as an extension to your business.
•How many employees do you have? 4
•When did your business start? Silver Birch Creative Ltd began business in June 2008 with over 12 years experience in the creative industry.
•Why have you become a Bondholder? We have become a Bondholder because we are passionate about Derby and its future success and are proud to take an active role.
•What do you think of the scheme? We think the scheme is vital to raising Derby’s profile and bringing businesses together to help achieve an impressive future.
•How do you see business shaping Derby's future? Derby is a thriving city with a wealth of business opportunities and with a combined effort and continued regeneration should continue to grow and achieve great things.
•What are your favourite things about Derby? Derby’s size means that it’s not too big to have lost its community feel. It has fantastic heritage and culture and fabulous places to visit in the surrounding area of Derbyshire and the Peak District. And obviously the Super Rams and the fantastic Derbyshire Falcons!