Marketing Derby sets out 2026 leadership

With its CEO John Forkin retiring at the end of December, Marketing Derby‘s board of directors met this week to agree its leadership structure which will be enacted in the new year.

Existing chairman, Bob Betts will become executive chairman on a part-time basis with responsibility for strategic oversight and key stakeholder engagement.

The company’s head of investment, Kathryn Allen, will step up into the chief operating officer role, leading the company’s operations and experienced staff team.

The board recognised the continuing and considerable financial support of the Bondholders, Derby City Council and the East Midlands Combined County Authority into 2026/27 in maintaining stability as the company enters a new chapter with opportunities for further collaboration.

Building on 20 years of success as a trusted local public-private-partnership in attracting jobs and investment – with a vibrant events programme and the award-winning Derby City Lab – Marketing Derby will continue to make a key contribution to the wider Team Derby and emerging Team East Midlands.

Marketing Derby’s Annual Business Event will share highlights from 2025 and look ahead to the new year through a range of presentations, films and updates from guest speakers.

Always a highlight in the Derby business calendar – with over 250 guests booked into the event within 24 hours of the initial announcement – the team is looking forward to welcoming a capacity audience of 500 people at Derby Theatre on Wednesday 4 February 2026.

If you are interested in attending, please click here.