Why Derby is all ‘fired’ up to deliver on its promises

Here, in his latest monthly column reflecting on the news over the past month, our Press and PR Executive Robin Johnson looks at the headlines.

Ever since it first began 20 years ago, The Apprentice has been one of my favourite television shows.

The latest series has only just recently finished – and it was another belter.

Sometimes, as part of their weekly tasks, the candidates are asked to come up with their own company names and branding – including logos.

The results are mixed – and that’s being kind.

Quite frankly, in some instances, my three-year-old could come up with better names and designs.

But it does show that coming up with a memorable name and logo is perhaps not as easy as it looks.

In my opinion, a company with a particularly distinctive logo is heating technology firm Vaillant.

It’s of a hare (not a rabbit) – and it’s a logo we will be seeing a lot more of in Derby going forward after the firm signed a deal for the naming rights of what was Becketwell Live.

Vaillant Live, as it is now known, will be adorned with the Vaillant hare.

But what has a hare got to do with heating? A little bit of research would suggest not a lot.

The birth of the logo comes from a picture, which fascinated the company founder Johann Vaillant.

It depicted rosy-cheeked gnomes and cute animals standing around and marvelling at the miracle of a hare breaking out of an egg.

It is described as an ‘Easter’ hare – and I guess that makes the announcement of the performance venue sponsorship deal great timing as it was announced during the same month as Easter.

And it also came hot on the heels of Vaillant officially opening its new £40 million manufacturing plant for heat pump cylinders in Derby – an inward investment Marketing Derby was proud to have supported along with Derby City Council.

Another piece of great timing is that Vaillant Live is the cover story for the latest edition of Innovate Magazine, which you should all have received by now.

Vaillant Live is one of the many game-changing developments that will take Derby city centre’s offer to the next level.

And they are now starting to come thick and fast.

Next up, is the refurbished Derby Market Hall, which is due to reopen its doors to the public on 24 May following a £35 million refurbishment.

In the run up to the grand opening, Derby City Council has been revealing the range of traders that will be taking space underneath that spectacular ceiling.

Vaillant Live and Derby Market Hall are among the latest examples of projects that have made the transition from drawing board to reality – and there are many more to look forward to.

Some of these will be showcased at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum – UKREiiF for those in the know.

Due to take place in Leeds later this month, this major event on the property calendar brings together the public sector – with every core UK city and region involved – alongside government, investors, funders, developers, housebuilders.

It aims to drive sustainable, inclusive and transformative investment and regeneration – and Team Derby will be there, flying the flag for the city, while supporting the activities of the region.

We are a city with much to shout about at the moment – and Derby’s strong public/private sector representation at the event is sure to deliver a pitch Lord Sugar would be proud of.

Among Team Derby’s delegation at UKREiiF will be Rolls-Royce, whose multi-billion-pound submarine contracts are starting several hares running when it comes to attracting further new investment to the city.

Despite the various global economic headwinds, the engineering giant is powering forward on all fronts.

The latest area of progress is in mini nuclear power stations, with its company Rolls-Royce SMR submitting its final tender to supply the UK with nuclear power.

The key to the success of global giants like Rolls-Royce is never standing still.

They are constantly innovating, coming up with new ideas and exploring the boundaries of what’s possible.

Toyota is another company cut from the same cloth. In April, we learned of its latest innovation, which involves its Burnaston car factory, near Derby.

It announced that Toyota’s Manufacturing UK’s Derbyshire plant is to become its first Toyota Circular Factory.

But what is a circular factory? No, it doesn’t involve changing the shape of the Burnaston plant. It involves the recycling of vehicles at the end of their life.

Basically, as well as building new cars, it will see Burnaston process old vehicles to maximise the environmental benefits of recycling, repurposing and remanufacturing. A great idea – and typically Toyota.

Another company that is maximising its vehicles is East Midlands Railway.

The company is ploughing tens of millions of pounds into refurbishing its regional services fleet – in addition to its investment in brand-new intercity trains.

And in April, the firm proudly unveiled the very first revamped train as part of the refurbishment programme.

EMR is using a number of local companies to deliver these improved trains.

It is a theme that many of the key stories from April share – keeping it local.

Whether it’s a local company sponsoring a major new performance venue, or local traders taking space at a restored historic market hall.

It is now down to us, the consumer, to support local.

As I’ve said many times before, these are exciting times for Derby. We have become a highly investable city.

Which brings me back to The Apprentice – and Lord Sugar’s brightly lit boardroom.

Every series, there are always the power-dressing candidates who have got the swagger but in the end over promise and under deliver.

But I’m confident if ever Derby was to go in front of Lord Sugar and present its business case, he would lean over, point his index finger and say, ‘you’re going to me my next business partner’.

God, it sounded so much snappier when he used to say ‘you’re hired’! Never mind.

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