Marketing Derby thanks its London Embassy partners and supporters

Marketing Derby would like to extend a special thanks to this year’s London Embassy partners Smith Partnership and AtkinsRéalis, as well as event supporters Derbion and the University of Derby.

For many years now, law firm Smith Partnership has been a staunch supporter of Derby – and activities designed to attract more investment that can help make the city a better place to live, work and play.

The Tower of London event was the sixth time the firm has supported the London Embassy.

Since 2018, the firm has backed embassies held at the RAC Club, the National Gallery, Lancaster House, Guildhall, Mansion House – and now the Tower of London.

Smith Partnership has offices across the Midlands region – providing a full range of legal services to business clients, including household name companies and to individual private clients.

Its headquarters are in Derby city centre – and have been for 40 years.

Marketing Derby would like to thank outgoing managing partner Kevin McGrath, who is due to retire, and his successor James Johnson, along with the rest of Smith Partnership team, for their continued support.

Speaking on the night, Kevin said: “Derby means a huge amount to us. It’s made us what we are as a firm.

“At a time when many businesses were leaving the city centre, we decided to stay – and it’s a decision that has paid off.

“It’s a really exciting time for the city right now in terms of all the new developments we can see.”

AtkinsRéalis is an organisation which provides design, engineering and project management services for infrastructure and energy projects.

Part of the SNC-Lavalin Group, it is a world-leading integrated project and programme management consultancy.

It is experienced in delivering all aspects of construction projects, protecting and maximising its clients’ interests throughout the planning and delivery of construction projects.

Locally, alongside Mott MacDonald, it is part of the PROPEL joint venture, which has been selected as fissile design partners for the major expansion of Rolls-Royce’s Submarines site, in Raynesway.

It is a strong supporter of Marketing Derby’s activities, particularly in 2025, where it has leant its backing to key events including UKREiiF, the Derby Property Summit and now the London Embassy.

Alex Wakefield, director of project and programme services at AtkinsRéalis, said: “AtkinsRéalis was delighted to back this year’s London Embassy.

“It was great to see Team Derby come together in such historic surroundings to celebrate our achievements and look ahead to an exciting future.”

Derbion continues to play a major role in Derby’s story, attracting millions of visitors to the city centre every year.

It is the East Midlands’ premier retail and leisure destination, featuring  an attractive lineup of famous brands with over 200 household names, including Next, Zara, Mango, H&M, M&S, All Saints, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger and more.

It also boasts an impressive leisure offer including a 12-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux, Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Hollywood Bowl and the 640 seat Derby Theatre.

The venue’s Food Terrace offers a wide variety of grab-and-go options for visitors to choose from, with seven further standalone restaurants and many more cafes and eateries throughout the centre.

The scheme is supported by an integrated, secure car park facility, offering 2,700 spaces in the heart of Derby city centre.

But Derbion’s influence also stretches beyond the walls of the shopping centre.

The Derbion Masterplan is a framework for the long-term development of under-used land that will complement and support the existing shopping centre and its position within Derby.

Attending the last night’s event was its managing director Beth McDonald along with representatives from Derbion’s owners and investors Cale Street, as well as asset management partners, Savills.

Beth said: “Derbion was extremely proud to support this year’s London Embassy.

“It was wonderful to bring together all of the different sectors in such a stunning setting and showcase everything that is great about Derby.”

The University of Derby is a vibrant university with campuses in Derby and Derbyshire.

As well as providing an outstanding learning experience for its students, the university’s impact spreads wider.

It supports local enterprise through building strong relationships with the business community and producing talented graduates with the right blend of skills to meet workplace needs.

And it is continuing to invest in the city, evidenced by the recent opening of its brand-new £75 million Cavendish Building, home to the Derby International Business School new Business School, and its wider vision for a new city centre campus.

Speaking last night, Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, the university’s vice-chancellor and chief executive, said: “Marketing Derby absolutely exudes Team Derby for me. One of the university’s key focuses is working with industry.

“For example, without Marketing Derby we wouldn’t have been able to deliver the Cavendish Building.

“Being a supporter of the embassy is at the heart of where the university feels it makes a difference in terms of its impact on the city and within the city.”