Derby Property Summit to showcase a city with momentum

Excitement is building for this year’s Derby Property Summit following a series of positive recent announcements key to the city’s regeneration.

Taking place at Vaillant Live on Tuesday 22 September, the event, entitled ‘Shaping the Future’, will provide an exclusive insight into the city’s development pipeline and major regeneration projects.

And it could not come at a better time following a series of important announcements made in recent weeks, all seen as vital to shaping the city going forward.

Earlier this month, Derby City Council’s planning committee agreed to remove the conditions attached to the demolition of the former Assembly Rooms, paving the way for the redevelopment of the Market Place.

It means that demolition work can take place in early 2027, and the council’s development partner, ION Developments, can bring forward its ambitious plans for the site.

Elsewhere, the city council recently announced the appointment of planning and urban design firm Tibbalds to develop a strategic masterplan for Riverside North, a residential-led mixed-use development site in the city.

And Wavensmere Homes continues to make great progress on its £80 million transformation of Friar Gate Goods Yard – its latest milestone being the £1 million refurbishment of the historic Engine House.

Delegates can learn all about these schemes – and more – at this year’s summit, which features a stellar line-up of speakers and panellists.

Confirmed keynotes include Amy Harhoff, chief executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority and Paul Morris, development director at St James Securities.

In conversation with this year’s property summit host, respected business journalist Declan Curry, Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, will update delegates on the city’s current and pipeline projects.

Derby College Group will lead a panel on the future of construction skills, which will be of real interest to delegates on the day from across the East Midlands real estate sector.

There will also be a panel discussion looking at how the city’s flagship industrial sites are supporting the needs of innovative businesses in growth, including Adrienne Howells, land director at SmartParc and Rob Richardson, development director at Indurent.

This year’s Derby Property Summit has attracted an enviable line-up of sponsors, led by summit sponsors Derby College Group and AtkinsRéalis.

A year ago, DCG was selected by the Department for Education as one of only nine Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTEC) in the UK.

Becoming a CTEC means the college has been recognised as a national leader in delivering high-quality, industry-relevant construction training.

AtkinsRéalis, which provides design, engineering and project management services for infrastructure and energy projects, takes skills and employment very seriously as a platinum sponsor of the University of Derby and has an active apprenticeship and graduate programme.

Its teams are working on many projects in the East Midlands with key clients such as the university, Derby City Council and Rolls-Royce.

In January, AtkinsRéalis was appointed by Rolls-Royce Submarines to help nearly double the size of its Raynesway site in Derby to meet significant growth in demand from the Royal Navy and AUKUS.

This significant project will be a catalyst for further local investment, job creation and regional economic growth.

Alex Wakefield, director of project and programme services at AtkinsRéalis, said: “AtkinsRéalis, the largest engineering consultancy in the UK, is extremely proud to be sponsoring the Marketing Derby 2026 Property Summit. 

“It is always good to hear about investment in the city, and this event provides an excellent opportunity to meet with new and existing clients, developers and investors.

“Representatives from our local Derby and Nottingham offices will be attending the event and welcome the opportunity to meet with prospective clients and suppliers to talk about our growth ambitions.”

This year’s summit is also kindly supported by brand sponsors Chevin Homes, Derbion, Planning & Design Practice and Matthew Montague Architects.

For more information about this year’s Derby Property Summit, click here.

To secure your place at this year’s summit, e-mail Sarah McAllister at sarah.mcallister@marketingderby.co.uk.