Why Derby is proud to be home to Britain’s most iconic brand

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

We all have our favourite brands whether it’s baked beans, cornflakes or aero engines (that last one’s an odd one but stick with it!).

For example, my favourite drink is tea – but I will only ever drink one brand.

I’m not going to tell you the name of it because I don’t want to be accused of giving them free advertising (unless they want to send me a year’s supply).

Let’s just say it’s named after a county that borders Derbyshire!

Then there’s my wife. She refuses to eat any baked beans other than the ones that come in a turquoise tin and have the marketing slogan ’57 varieties’.

Some brands have a comforting familiarity about them. We may have grown up with them – or maybe we just like them because they are, in our eyes, the best.

So, why am I talking about brands? This week, we reported a story in which the Intellectual Property Office surveyed the British public on what they thought was the UK’s most iconic trade mark.

So, who came top? Yes, that’s right, Rolls-Royce.

For generations, Rolls-Royce has embodied quality – the best of the best.

It is even something that has crept into our everyday language. If I say, “That’s a Rolls-Royce cup of tea,” you know it’s pretty good.

Rolls-Royce topping that survey it is something I believe Derby folk should feel pretty pleased about.

Why? Because they have played – and are continuing to play – an integral role in ensuring Rolls-Royce continues to set the benchmark.

Today, the engineering giant continues to go from strength to strength on a number of fronts, the latest is securing a deal that paves the way for it to produce the UK’s first ‘mini’ nuclear power stations.

As you might have gathered by now – and expect from someone born in Derby – Rolls-Royce is one of my favourite brands.

I’m not the best flyer. Every time I’m forced to fly, I’m always looking to see whether the aircraft has that familiar blue logo on the side of its engines.

When it does, I relax. As I say, brands can be comforting. They can also open doors.

Sometimes, you come across people who have no idea about Derby (shame on them) – but you soon get their attention when you mention it is home to Rolls-Royce.

I’m sure the ears of one or two American investors pricked up when Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves was in Washington DC last month, extolling the virtues of Derby and the East Midlands.

The Chancellor was joined during that visit by East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, the figurehead of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

Later this month, delegates from Derby City Council and Marketing Derby will join EMCCA and its regional partners at UKREiiF (UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum), which is the UK’s leading event in the real estate calendar.

Held in Leeds (not far from where my favourite tea is made) UKREiiF brings together over 16,000 of the most influential players in the UK property sector alongside places seeking investment, flying the flag with their own place brands and propositions.

For Derby and the EMCCA region, being home to Rolls-Royce’s civil aerospace and nuclear operations is a key differentiator and an important part of our pitch.

It will be an opportunity to promote the many exciting schemes planned for the city centre – including the regeneration of the Market Place.

Planning permission has already been lodged for this ambitious transformation – and last month, the city council formally appointed its development partners.

Of course, major schemes such as this are good for Derby – but making sure they are all connected – and in an accessible, environmentally friendly way – is important.

So, it was good to report on the city receiving £25 million of EMCCA cash to continue its work to enhance roads and infrastructure, advance major transport schemes, invest in parks and open spaces and implement strategic flood protection measures.

Equally welcome was the news that Derby will receive a £5 million government boost to help support the city’s family hubs, which provide a vital ‘one-stop shop’ of services to families living in some of the city’s most deprived neighbourhoods.

These hubs make a huge difference to the families who use them.

An organisation that has been making a difference to families for decades is me&dee.

Last month, the charity, which helps families facing short and uncertain futures, was presented with its King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The charity helps families where a potentially life-limiting, and often rare illness is diagnosed, by providing everything from private group swimming sessions, unique tailor-made outings for families, support for siblings through craft sessions and a specialist bereavement support group.

Since the start, me&dee has supported more than 9,000 families. So, such Royal recognition is fully deserved.

All King’s Award winners are allowed to display its branding on things like letterheads and flags for five years. Let’s face it, branding doesn’t come better than that!

Finally, April saw some welcome movement on a new “brand” which is set to call Derby its home – Great British Railways.

The two shortlisted locations for GBR’s Derby HQ were revealed last month.

Irrespective of which location is selected, it is great that GBR is further along the line to setting up a permanent base here – acknowledging that Derby is not just the home of Rolls-Royce, but also the beating heart of the UK rail industry.

Anyway, that’s enough from me. I’m off for a cuppa.

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