Marketing Derby renews strategic partnership with university

The Tower of London has seen its fair share of important moments – and at this year’s London Embassy it witnessed another; the renewing of the strategic partnership between Marketing Derby and the University of Derby.

For many years now, the Queen’s Award-winning investment promotion agency for the Derby area has worked closely with the university for the betterment of the city.

That relationship has since grown even stronger since Marketing Derby announced that it is relocating its headquarters to the university’s brand-new £75 million city centre Cavendish Building.

Home to the university’s Derby International Business School, the state-of-the-art seven-storey building officially opened in September.

The Cavendish Building is central to meeting strong growth in both UK and international student demand over the next decade.

It also aims to ensure Derby remains a destination of choice for students, academics and industry.

Through its strategic partnerships with industry, the university creates talent pipelines that support both the local and global economy.

At this year’s London Embassy, Marketing Derby and the University of Derby announced the renewal of their commitment to work collaboratively and build on their existing relationship.

Bob Betts, chairman of Marketing Derby, said: “Marketing Derby is delighted to ‘renew its vows’ with the university with the signing of this latest partnership agreement.

“The university is a major partner in the regeneration of our city centre – and plays a crucial role in producing talented graduates, who are key to attracting inward investment to the city.

“We look forward to working more closely with one another going forward, particularly from our new home inside the stunning Cavendish Building.”

Speaking at last night’s event, Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, the university’s vice-chancellor and chief executive, said: “Marketing Derby has changed my view on how you can deliver higher education in many different ways.

“It has a very diverse group of Bondholders, from Rolls-Royce to SMEs, who all have an impact on our student body.

“As vice-chancellor, I wouldn’t have been able to make those contacts without Marketing Derby.

“I also don’t think I’d have had the confidence as chief executive to build the Cavendish Building, without the belief that we had businesses behind us.”