With the support of Derby City Council and local businesses, Marketing Derby promotes Derby as a desirable place to live, work, invest and visit. It raises the profile of Derby as a central, compact, hi-tech city with innovation in its DNA, thereby creating and handling inward investment enquiries. To support this focus, Marketing Derby launched the Diplomat course, designed to inform, inspire and motivate Derby people, both living in and out of the city, to become Ambassadors. Whilst this course is now well established, on Friday 4th July, ten Year 12 students from Landau Forte College attended the first Junior Diplomat event. This provided a unique educational experience for students to learn more about an ongoing £2 billion regeneration programme, including some high profile developments such as the Derby Arena but also others which are much less obvious.
The day started with an insightful presentation from Andrew Lowe of Marketing Derby showing both how Derby has changed in recent years and the exciting plans for the future. This was followed by a tour around the city centre, outlining the future role of new and established businesses and visiting the QUAD, Derby’s unique arts gallery and cinema. Students also however reflected on the fascinating story of Derby by visiting the Silk Mill, the start of the Industrial Revolution, and the Cathedral. The tour helped to highlight the significant improvements seen in Derby in recent years but also to identify the challenges and priorities for the future.
On completion of the event, students were given a certificate on the behalf of the Mayor of Derby but also took away with them a better understanding of the history of Derby and a unique and current insight into the future of their home city.