SPRING 2020 A HIVE OF INDUSTRY

Museum of Making gets ready for autumn opening

THRILLS AND SKILLS

The team designing the world’s top theme parks

KEEPER OF THE CITY’S TREASURES

Old Bell saviour’s rescue plan for world-famous store

CELEBRATING THE CREATIVITY AND SUCCESS OF BUSINESSES IN DERBY AND DERBYSHIRE IT’S A FACT

DID YOU KNOW THAT 11.8% WELCOME TO INNOVATE - A WINDOW INTO THE AMAZING AND INSPIRING DERBY OF DERBY’S WORKFORCE AND DERBYSHIRE BUSINESS SECTOR. BROUGHT TO YOU BY MARKETING DERBY, ARE IN HIGH-TECH ROLES? INNOVATE WILL SHOWCASE THE WORK OF BRILLIANT BONDHOLDERS AND LOCAL THAT’S 4X THE COMPANIES AND PROFILE THE TALENTED INDIVIDUALS LEADING THEM. ENJOY! NATIONAL AVERAGE.

2 SPRING 2020 3 CONTENTS 16 CONTRIBUTORS Star performers! How some of the world's biggest music stars are helping Derbyshire achieve cricketing success. Steve Hall

Writing and editing: Steve Hall has worked in the media for more than 35 years and is a former Editor and Managing Director of the Derby Telegraph. He has won numerous industry awards, including UK 06 24 Newspaper of the Year Safe in his hands Riding high! and UK Editor of the Year. Paul Hurst has already rescued The creative business that He now runs his own the historic Old Bell Hotel - now theme parks all over the media consultancy. he's bringing back the world's globe are turning to for oldest department store. thrills and skills.

52Silk Mill - a glimpse behind the scenes 40 48 50 Andy Gilmore We take a look at progress as Derby's impressive new Breathing new life £200 million scheme Shaping up Museum of Making shapes up for its September opening. into heart of city takes a giant step for the future Design: Andy Gilmore Developers begin work Planners give their backing We look at the schemes is a creative designer on creating 800 homes at to proposals to reinvigorate that are set to transform with 12 years experience historic former hospital site. eyesore city site life in Derby city centre. in the design industry. Currently working at Katapult, Andy has worked internationally with some of the world's 62 70 76 biggest brands. We'll drink to that! Healthy ambitions 300 years of evidence Spring water company reveals Bosses at exciting new city John Forkin explains why Derby ambitious plans - after seven fitness studio want to open and Derbyshire can justifiably generations doing business dozens more operations claim to be the UK Capital of on same site. across the UK. Innovation. Ian Hodgkinson

News The Last Word Images: Ian Hodgkinson 08/12/78 79 has been capturing Derbyshire life in pictures for 16 years. He's a former Deputy Picture Produced for Marketing Derby by Editor of the Derby 32 Want to get in touch? Email us at: Telegraph and now runs Talking Business - Beyond the 2020 vision [email protected] his own photography Derbyshire business leaders chat economic prospects, Brexit, business, PictureIt Media. skills, climate change and digital disruption.

4 SPRING 2020 5 PAUL HURST HAS ALREADY SAVED ONE OF DERBY’S MOST HISTORIC BUILDINGS FROM RUIN. NOW HE’S INTENT ON RESCUING THE WORLD’S OLDEST DEPARTMENT STORE.

Paul Hurst’s face lights “There will be a gin bar in there. “We’ve lost so many fabulous up as he describes what There will be hair and beauty. buildings in the city and so much There will be fashion shows. There of our heritage but it’s never been customers can expect will be live painting and art classes. more important to have that when he relaunches heritage because people want the world’s oldest “There will be a lot of things experiences now,” he says. department store. happening every time you go in that you can engage with to “When they go out shopping, It won’t just be about make sure you stay a long time for a meal or a drink, they want shopping, Paul reveals. and want to keep coming back. experiences. It will be much more “There will be a fabulous food “People want to have that selfie, of an experience, hall. I looked at the original food that perfect Instagram picture. with features and hall and it’s given me all kinds People will specifically come to our entertainment designed of ideas for going forward. I’m Tudor Bar at The Old Bell to have a to drive visitors through dead excited. I have to check picture taken with a whisky by the myself because I want to share fire. You have to think about every the doors, keep them everything.” room and about whether there there and entice them is something in it that you would back time and time Most ordinary business people want to put on Instagram.” again. confronted with an opportunity to take on a failed department This brave new world, where Paul is the Derby lad who is on store, in a challenging building commerce mixes with theatre, a mission to rescue Bennetts, the and an even more challenging is a long way from Paul’s city institution which lost its way retail climate, would walk quickly career roots in engineering – and crashed into administration away. “that background gave me a last year. methodical thought process and But Paul, of course, is no ordinary that has always served me well” He is a huge enthusiast for the city business person. – and as a trouble-shooter for the and its heritage and is bursting to world’s largest printing company. share his plans with the world – but, He’s already transformed with obvious difficulty, is holding Derby’s historic The Old Bell Even in those days Paul was himself back until the right moment Hotel from closed-down, falling a travelling ambassador for his within his marketing plan. down wreck to vibrant, successful home city. business – and now, with Bennetts I coax harder … and he cracks. as well, he is fast becoming “I just love what Derby does and A little! Derby’s Restoration Man. we are shocking at promoting

6 SPRING 2020 7 1 2

PAUL HURST ENJOYS THE AMBIANCE OF THE ‘NEW’ OLD BELL. 3 4

ourselves,” he says. a three-year, £1.3 million rescue million pounds just to make the The attic rooms, that offered know what you are going to get. of work which, alone, cost £30,000. project. place wind and watertight. cheaper accommodation and It was full of surprises – some nice, “All the years I used to travel were often home to loud and like when you uncover a fireplace, “The city council said it would around in my print job, I’d visit What he had purchased was But he was determined that a rowdy guests, had remained some pretty horrendous, like when help with a grant and we got the places where no-one had heard a grade II-listed coaching inn, building with such a rich history untouched for hundreds of years you discover the floor is completely restoration done. The pay-off is of Derby and I would tell them constructed in 1650, and, at the should be restored to its former and some still had their original rotten and needs to be replaced,” that when people now go into that how amazing the city is. We don’t time, considered to be one of the glories. numbers on the doors. says Paul. room, they just say ‘wow’. talk about it enough and push finest examples outside London. ourselves enough.” In its heyday, The Old Bell was The building had welcomed all He is grateful for the support he “The council also helped us with But what Paul actually got his a major stopping off point for kinds of visitors. In 1745, some of received from Derby City Council, the front windows of the pub. They His first foray into Derby’s leisure hands on was a crumbling, stagecoaches travelling all over Bonnie Prince Charlie’s troops were advising on the conservation work all had to be taken out, numbered, sector came when he bought Café decaying hulk. the country and for mail coming in billeted in the upper rooms. In required and pointing him in the taken away, restored and then put B, on Sadler Gate, and then moved from across the world. the 1960s, John Lennon and Paul direction of grants he could access back in,” says Paul. across the street to Sadlergates. “It had been shut for a couple of McCartney called in for a drink. to help with the cost of repairs. But, although things were good, years before we bought it but it It had more than 50 hotel There have been other, smaller Paul’s head was turned by a had been neglected for a long rooms and had seven bars and And, for many years, the Tudor Bar “To be fair to the council, they were discoveries during this labour boarded-up, rundown building that time before that,” he recalls. restaurants on site. was the smoke-filled room where very good at holding our hand of love that have also left Paul he would pass each day as he Derby’s judges, politicians and and taking us through the process. amazed. made his way into work. “A lot of the rooms had been But it wasn’t just a coaching inn. police officers would gather to plot They also bought into the vision sealed up and left. There was Over the years, the building was the city’s future. and understood that this project “We pulled some floorboards up It was The Old Bell Hotel. graffiti everywhere. The toilets had also home to a doctor’s surgery, would be good for the city,” he and found a coin from the 1800s. all been smashed up. The back courtroom and its cellars were It was the first part of The Old says. It probably belonged to some “I would come down Sadler Gate part of the building was collapsing even used as prison cells. Bell Hotel to undergo extensive bloke who had travelled here and see the state of the place. Kids because all the main beams had renovations. More than £55,000 Among the building’s more on the stagecoach, was staying were putting lit paper through the gone. Remnants of its past remain dotted was spent on getting it to look astonishing revelations were two overnight and dropped this coin letterbox, trying to set fire to it, and around the building, with pathways almost exactly how it did in the glass domes that were discovered through the floorboards. I was sat the windows were smashed.” “It needed rewiring. It was all old, and tunnels deep in the cellars early 1900s. in the ceiling of the Grand there holding it and thinking what lead pipework that needed to be that lead to various parts of the Regency Room. They had been a story it could tell. The last person It was the beginning of a love taken out. The list just kept getting city centre and five foot-high When the building was taken boarded over below and covered to hold it before me had it in their affair that would see Paul buy the longer and longer.” cages that were built to house the over, the bar had fallen into the from above. hands 200 years ago.” building from the bank that had hounds that accompanied the cellars, the roof was patchy, with repossessed it and embark upon Paul had to spend around half a stagecoaches. rain pouring in, and the Tudor-style “We took the covers off and all It wasn’t just Paul that fell in love panelling was in desperate need these pigeons were living in there with the task of restoring The Old of repair. but then we saw these stunning Bell – the wider city did too. And, glass domes.” when opening day arrived, crowds 01. ONE OF THE GRAND FUNCTION ROOMS 03. THE OLD COURTYARD SPACE AS WORK WAS 04. THE NEW AND IMPROVED COURTYARD It was also discovered that a coffin flocked to see what he AS IT WAS BEING REFURBISHED. TAKING PLACE. AREA. lay underneath the bar! Stunning they may have been had achieved. 02. THE SAME ROOM, AFTER RENOVATION, but they were also smashed and IN USE AS A WEDDING VENUE. “With a listed building, you never requiring total renovation – a piece “We are so lucky at The Old

8 SPRING 2020 9 Bell that the people of Derby have followed the journey and supported us. On the day we opened, we had a stagecoach that left the Cathedral with some dignitaries to open it. The stagecoach couldn’t get down Sadler Gate because it was packed with people,” Paul remembers.

“If you put sweat, blood and tears into something like protecting heritage for the future, then people do invest into you and support you.”

Paul recalls the first major event the building hosted after opening 1 – the city’s folk festival that had to be relocated from the Assembly Rooms after the venue was closed by fire.

“The paint was still wet on the walls when people were coming in but The Ballroom looked amazing. All I could hear was ‘oh wow’. I had to leave the room because I was filling up. It got me so emotional.”

In the four years since, the business has gone from strength to strength. It now operates three bars, The Belfry Restaurant and four function rooms – and does an amazing trade online supplying Sunday roasts and kegs of ale direct to people’s doors.

And that’s not the limit of Paul’s ambition. Work is currently 2 underway to restore 16 rooms so that guests can finally stay overnight at The Old Bell once more.

“They will be high-end, boutique rooms. With it being engraved on the building that it’s The Old Bell Hotel, people often ask about booking rooms, especially with all the weddings and functions that we now do,” says Paul. 3 4

01. THE OLD BELL ON SADLER GATE, DERBY.

02. THE OLD STABLES AREA IN THE PUB HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A BRIGHT FUNCTION SPACE.

03. THE WELL-STOCKED BAR, READY TO GREET THIRSTY CUSTOMERS.

04/05. THE COMFORTABLE MAIN BAR INTERIOR.

THE NEXT CHALLENGE: BENNETTS ON IRON GATE, DERBY. 5

10 SPRING 2020 11 “We’re launching a website to keep people up to date. There will be social media and there’s talk about doing a TV series.”

1

BENNETTS DEPARTMENT STORE.

However, he’s not rushing to get “If Bennetts goes and is not there in there than The Old Bell but it’s them open – “it will probably take anymore, then it leaves a massive about repurposing the building – about 18 months” – because, in gap. I said we would have to do new wiring, new heating systems; the meantime, he has taken on something. Over the years Bennetts everything really.” another project … Bennetts! had lost its way and needed to reinvent itself but I thought it was a Paul’s team have spent the last four The department store, on Iron great opportunity to come in and months clearing items from the Gate, is widely acknowledged do something special,” Paul says. building – and have made some as the world’s oldest and began fascinating finds. trading in 1734. But, in February last Paul acquired the Bennetts name year, the city was sent into shock and business but not the Iron Gate “I don’t think they threw anything as management announced building. He considered getting it away for 285 years,” jokes Paul. that they could not pay their trading again quickly online while 2 creditors and were calling in the he looked further into the options “All their meeting minutes were administrators. for a physical store – either on Iron still there. In those, they talk about months ago and more time public. As we get Paul to pose for Gate or elsewhere. the Eagle Centre opening and needed to get the relaunch sorted, photographs on Iron Gate, passers- A deal to sell the Bennetts name its impact. In the 70s, Rolls Royce the power of the Bennetts name by recognise him and stop to ask and assets to a company called But, after further deliberations, he had gone into administration, might start to fade? for updates. London Sole was struck but, when decided it would be better to try to owing Bennetts £6,000, and they this too hit the rocks, things looked launch both together. were worried about whether all “We’re going to keep the brand “I was worried when it closed down bleak. the people employed by the alive in the meantime,” says Paul. but felt better when I heard Paul “We looked at doing online first, company would be able to carry had bought it,” says one. “We had been approached earlier while looking at the building, but on spending money in the store.” “We’re launching a website to by the administrators but I had told would have needed a warehouse keep people up to date. There will They, it seems, are already them that it wasn’t really our bag,” and to sort logistics so we have Paul estimates that Bennetts will be be social media and there’s talk confident that Paul’s latest madly says Paul. “I thought someone now decided that the two will open back up and running in the next 12 about doing a TV series to show ambitious project will be a big hit. would take Bennetts on because at the same time.” to 18 months. He is currently busy the journey of the world’s oldest But what about the man himself? it’s the world’s oldest department creating temporary offices for staff department store.” What will success at Bennetts look store and it’s still loved by Derby Negotiations are continuing with involved in the project upstairs at like to him? 3 people.” the original landlords and Paul is The Old Bell and will soon begin Paul is planning to hold meetings hopeful that a deal can be done recruiting key members of the new with former Bennetts staff to ask “A very popular store; a very busy might be giving away too much But when it looked like the business to see the store re-open in its team. them what was great about the store and very busy online, with a too soon. might disappear forever, Paul previous home. business previously and where they fantastic new product line that I am decided to act. “We are going to get a retail think it went wrong. He’ll also be very excited about. Bennetts are While it may be a few months yet “It’s a massive building. The store director and a buyer in,” he asking other businesses, shoppers going to make their own products. before we get to hear his full vision “I wasn’t thinking I need a was about 16,000 square feet but reveals. and young people in the city, what I can’t tell you about it yet but the for the new Bennetts, if Paul’s track department store or want a the whole building is 30,000 square they would like to see when the products will all be about Derby,” record at The Old Bell is anything department store but Bennetts was feet. There’s massive stockroom “My success isn’t about me, it’s store reopens. he reveals. to go by, it will certainly be worth a key part of the Cathedral Quarter. space that we would not need about bringing people in who waiting for - and another of the these days. We recognise that we are far better than me. I’m a It’s clear there’s already huge He checks his enthusiasm, city’s most precious assets is in “The Cathedral Quarter has done can repurpose that part to make it businessman and I know the interest in the project from the conscious, once more, that he good hands for the future. incredibly well given the economic more commercially viable. numbers and where we need to climate – since the crash, since be but it’s the team I get in that online and since Westfield. The BID “At the moment we are still will make the business a massive came along and that does very discussing things with the landlord. success.” 01. THE RESTORED SIGNAGE OUTSIDE THE OLD 02. PAUL HURST ENJOYING THE COMFORTABLE 03. THE FAMOUS OLD BELL HOTEL SIGN OVER well, including winning High Street There’s a massive amount of work BELL. WING BACK CHAIRS. THE ENTRANCE ARCH TO THE PROPERTY. of the Year. But we don’t want it to that needs to be done internally Is he worried that, with the store slip back. and externally. There’s less heritage having stopped trading some

12 SPRING 2020 13 NEWS

10K RUNNERS paying for the 100 per cent plant-based water TO GET WATER bottles, meaning 10,000 BOTTLES MADE plastic bottles will not be FROM PLANTS required.

Plant-based water bottles Emma Pilgrim, Events are to be given to the Manager at Derby runners of this year’s County Community Trust, Derby 10k – making said: “The environmental it one of the most impact of the race environmentally-friendly is something that we races ever run in the UK. have been thinking more about across the ST MODWEN PARK DERBY. Utilita Energy is to be last year, as we have the 10k’s first Official a responsibility as an GO-AHEAD FOR £80M SCHEME TO Environmental Partner event and as a charity CREATE MORE THAN 1,000 JOBS after agreeing a deal to educate participants with organisers Derby across all of our STEPHEN SALLOWAY, HARDYAL DHINDSA AND JOHN BLOUNT AND NICK BLOUNT OF IVYGROVE DEVELOPMENTS. The green light has onto the A52, directly County Community Trust. programmes on single- been given for an £80m connecting the site to The energy supplier is use plastic.” NEW £9.5M by Salloway Property police station after the county.” development scheme Junction 25 of the M1.” Consultants. it was deemed that that could create more POLICE STATION repairs there would Stephen Salloway, than 1,000 jobs in Derby. A planning application, SCHEME AGREED The £9.5m development be too expensive and Managing Director submitted in conjunction will be linked to the unfeasible. More than 200 of Salloway Property The 70-acre site, with landowners Building of a new existing fire station in staff will be based at the Consultants, said: “This is adjoining Pride Park, Network Rail, for the multi-million-pound Ascot Drive. station. a major development for will be developed by scheme in Wyvern Way, police station in Derby Derby, on an excellent St Modwen and will be formerly known as Derby will go ahead after a deal Planning permission has Derbyshire’s Police and site.” known as St Modwen Triangle, was approved with the landowner was already been granted Crime Commissioner Park Derby. It will include by Derby City Council. agreed. for the station, on a Hardyal Dhindsa said: 650,000 sq ft of industrial former Rolls-Royce site “This new station, part and logistics space. Site works will Derbyshire Constabulary and car park which of our ongoing estates COMMS FIRM Nick Hosking, Director commence this year has signed contracts with faces on to Osmaston plan, will make a tangible JOINS CRICKET at Innes England, which and the first units are Ivygrove Developments Road. It will replace the difference to policing in is acting as joint agents expected to be ready after a deal brokered ageing Cotton Lane Derby and the south of CLUB’S TEAM for the site, said: “St for occupation in early Modwen Park Derby 2021. Once the entire A1 Comms Ltd has will prove an attractive scheme has been been named mobile proposition to a wealth delivered, it could bring COFFEE COMPANY telecommunications of businesses due to up to 1,250 jobs to the IS TOAST OF partner of Derbyshire its immediate access immediate area. RETAIL AWARDS County Cricket Club.

BEAR Coffee Company This new sponsorship is celebrating success cements a relationship NEW £1M LINK ROAD TO UNLOCK at the prestigious Revo with the cricket club WAYNE HOLLINSHEAD, CEO OF PATTONAIR AND Gold Awards for the UK which stretches back POTENTIAL OF AIRFIELD SITE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW COMBINED COMPANY. retail industry - scooping over many years. Until the Re:tale prize for its the end of 2021, the D2N2 Local Enterprise all of which have put AEROSPACE COMPANY COMPLETES strategic partnership Alfreton-based company Partnership has agreed in additional funding with intu Derby. will supply EE-connected to provide £1m to create for the infrastructure MERGER WITH U.S. COMPETITOR mobiles to the club’s a new link road to unlock improvements. Derby-based Pattonair executive since 2011, Revo sets standards, playing, coaching and the development of has completed a has been named recognises achievement operational teams. Ashbourne Airfield. FW Harrison Commercials $1.9bn merger with U.S. president of the new and sparks ideas across is seeking permission from counterpart Wesco company. the UK retail sector Steve Heald has recently The £10.7m scheme, next Derbyshire Dales District Aircraft Holdings, one and had shortlisted the been appointed as to the Airfield Industrial Council to build on the of the world’s leading He said: “I’m thrilled independent coffee THE BEAR COFFEE TEAM RECEIVING THEIR AWARD. Managing Director of A1 Estate, would see the 82.7-acre site, 24.7 acres providers of supply with the benefits this brand alongside some Comms and is working creation of the nine- of which would be given chain management combination brings huge industry names on expanding the the retail industry. It and owners which acre Ashbourne Business over to employment services to the global customers and our such as Primark, IKEA company’s B2B fixed- feels surreal but also like were delivering Park, a new housing use. According to its aerospace industry. employees. We and JD Sports for the line and mobile offer to a huge leap forward innovative customer- development and a new planning application, the expect that our scale award. firms, especially in the for BEAR and for the first approaches, roundabout and link commercial hub would The combined and reach, coupled East Midlands. He said: whole indie business benefiting stakeholders road. feature space for shops, company becomes a with sophisticated Co-founder of BEAR “We are delighted to community.” or occupiers, professional and financial $2.4bn business, with a inventory and supply Craig Bunting said: support other businesses, demonstrating The project is a services, restaurants footprint in 17 countries chain management “We’re inconceivably particularly ones with For the Re:tale category, continuous innovation partnership between and cafes, drinking and more than 4,000 capabilities, will better proud to not only be such deep community award jury members and delivering an Derbyshire Dales District establishments and a employees worldwide. position us to benefit recognised for such a affiliations as Derbyshire considered examples outstanding and Council, Derbyshire hotel with up to 80 beds, from industry growth prestigious award but County Cricket Club, of strategic partnerships differentiated customer County Council and as well as an additional Wayne Hollinshead, and drive greater to actually win against which is marking its 150th between occupiers proposition. landowner FW Harrison, industrial unit. Pattonair chief operational efficiency.” such frontrunners in anniversary.”

14 SPRING 2020 15 RYAN DUCKETT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE AT DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB.

Spectators at Derbyshire As they make preparations to who were doing concerts at similar DERBYSHIRE County Cricket Club welcome up to 18,000 fans to this venues. Moving through autumn of latest show, cricket club chief 2015 we thought we would have COUNTY CRICKET have seen plenty of executive Ryan Duckett gave an our first concert in 2016. That did swing over the last insight into the celebrity world that not quite get beyond the line with CLUB IS PREPARING 150 years. is helping to fund a transformation that particular artist but, on the on and off the pitch at the County back of that, came the first concert TO CELEBRATE ITS But, usually, it is the Ground. with Elton John. That was held the bowlers responsible, following June,” says Ryan. 150TH ANNIVERSARY It’s a tale that involves plenty of vigorously shining one drapes and flowers, helicopter “It’s very competitive to get these AND WELCOME ONE side of the ball in an flights, catering for superstar pets – acts. We have done four headline attempt to get it to move oh, and plenty of hard graft. concerts. I’ve had probably 40 to OF THE BIGGEST NAMES whilst in the air and 50 conversations about bringing deceive the batsman. “What we have done since about concerts here. You have to have IN SHOWBUSINESS TO 2015 is decide that we need to 10 conversations with a promoter use the ground for more than just to get one. That’s not unique to us. ITS HOME. However, in July, the cricket and become a 365-day-a- It’s just the nature of the business. Pattonair County Ground year events venue,” explains Ryan. You speak to other venues and it’s pitch will witness an similar - unless you’re the 02 or NEC. entirely different kind of “We had been doing conferences swing as superstar singer and Christmas parties and other “Having hosted Elton John, things to bring income into the club Boyzone and Little Mix, as well as Michael Buble performs but a number of our competitors the connections we had made, one of the biggest had been using their venues for it put us on the map as a venue. concerts the city has concerts. It seemed an obvious When you’re talking to people like ever witnessed. thing to do to generate additional AEG, who are one of the world’s revenue to invest into cricket and largest promoters, it’s useful to be It will be the fourth major gig to raise the profile of the venue as able to say that you have hosted staged there in the past three well.” big concerts before. years, following appearances by Elton John, Little Mix and Boyzone. So just how did Ryan persuade an “The feedback is that it works well And the club has put the city artist like Michael Buble, with his as a venue, for operators logistically firmly on the map with some of the four Grammy awards and 60 million and also because of its position in biggest entertainment promoters record sales worldwide, to bring his the middle of the country.” – disproving the claim that our tour to Derby? The short answer is proximity to the likes of Nottingham, lots of legwork. The Derbyshire team are Birmingham and Manchester keeps experienced and highly skilled at the A-listers away. “We started to contact promoters preparing the Pattonair County

16 SPRING 2020 17 Ground for cricket but hosting a top music act and the 18,000 fans who will make up the audience is a very different challenge. How have they adapted?

“Some of us, including myself, had experience of putting on non- sporting events in the past but it’s been a learning curve for some,” says Ryan.

“The promoters for the larger concerts hire the venue and take the lead on the sales and marketing. We are contracted to host, so it is an operational thing for us - we help with the set-up, the ground configuration and the stewarding. Where we are in charge is hospitality, catering and 1 bars, traffic management – all key parts of the concert that if you don’t get right, promoters are not going to come back.”

Hosting the Michael Buble concert will be a 10-day exercise – five days to install the stage, lighting and other facilities, the show day itself and then four days to take everything down and clear the site.

ELTON JOHN ROCKS THE STAGE AT THE PATTONAIR COUNTY GROUND. “They come in, the pitch protection 2 3 goes down, they take two days to build the stage, then everything “One conversation we had was “Our catering staff cater for them else starts to come in – the disabled with a well-known performer who on arrival. They have a rider so as far as I’m aware, our biggest “When we get someone’s data, revenue and receiving continued viewing platform, signing, fencing was part of a band but was doing you have to cater certain foods success. The other concerts are we try to encourage them to support from the Derby business and the additional toilets,” Ryan some solo stuff. He felt the venue requested. Elton John’s was quite right up there with those big cricket come back to the cricket. We have community. explains. was too big for him as a solo artist easy but, with Little Mix, we not only days. grown our database and it’s no but wasn’t big enough for him with looked after the band but had to coincidence that since we started “The number of companies who, It can be tricky finding timeslots his band.” cater for their pets as well.” “If you use Derby County as an doing the music and fireworks on the back of the problems with that do not clash with the cricket example, if you could have two events, our cricket crowds have 3aaa, stepped up was fantastic,” calendar. While thousands of Buble fans will Despite Elton John’s global Forest home games a year, with the grown as well. Again, it allows us to he says. be enjoying his July 29 Derby show, celebrity status, he only had one hospitality and attendance, you invest more into the cricket,” Ryan “We have lost concerts here it will be a busy night for Ryan and special request. would love it. These concerts are says. “Pattonair had been a partner because we could not fit them in his team. like an additional big derby for any of ours for a number of years, from a cricket perspective and, “He wanted Sky Sports in his sports club,” Ryan says. Investment has not always been sponsoring our inaugural fireworks ultimately, cricket is our priority. “I have a roaming role. I walk the dressing room,” reveals Ryan. easy to achieve at a county which event and other things, but when venue continuously. I check traffic As well as the headline concerts, cannot count on revenues as a Test the opportunity came up for the “When I have had 10 conversations management, keep an eye on the “All the acts have been good to the club has also staged a number match venue. naming rights, it was fantastic to to land a concert, six might gates, check catering. They are not deal with. Some have a reputation of smaller music events, where it get them on board and be working not have quite worked for the easy nights. They are busy nights of being a bit diva-ish but not in takes full ownership, promoting the Financially, 2018 was particularly with a company that employs such promoter and four for our fixture but I do enjoy it,” he says. our experience. They come in, do show and selling the tickets. tough and the club made a loss of a large number of people in the list,” Ryan says. a great job and leave. Elton John more than £270,000, due, in large city.” One thing he’s unlikely to do on left within five minutes of coming off These have also proved hugely part, to a reduction in payments The Buble show is still a few months the night is meet the star of the stage.” popular and two more events are from the England and Wales The improved financial outlook away but the club is already keen show – they usually like their privacy planned this year – with West End Cricket Board and the demise of means that the club can continue to land more star names – although before a concert and often leave The Elton John show was stars performing music by Abba principal sponsor 3aaa. to make improvements to its Ryan says they have to be realistic soon afterwards. But Ryan’s team “probably” the biggest commercial and Elton John. ground – and proposals for the next about their targets because of the will be pulling out all the stops to day in the history of the club and However, the underlying picture phase of works are already being ground capacity. make sure every superstar need is Ryan is clear that their role as a “It all helps raise the profile of the was more positive, with income drawn up. accommodated. concert venue has a single main Pattonair County Ground and from commercial, conference and “Where certain artists are at the aim – to provide funds to invest in allows us to attract other events on events activity increasing. “We have grown as a venue moment, we were just right for Elton “Elton John flew in via helicopter cricket. the back of that. It’s also brought and invested about £4m over John and Michael Buble. We are to Derby County’s training ground new people into the ground. When And, although accounts were the last five years in building not, at the moment, right for Take and was picked up by car, driven “It’s no coincidence that since we you look at the data, there are still being finalised as we spoke, the WDS Media Centre and That, Adele or Coldplay. through Chaddesden and entered started doing concerts we have some of our cricket supporters who Ryan says that 2019 was much making improvements to the Air into the ground via Grandstand become more successful. The come to the concerts but we’re brighter, with the club benefiting IT Performance Centre and the “If you were going to have Ed Road, arriving two hours before the work off the field has improved our getting new people as well. from increased media rights Pattonair Pavilion. Over the coming Sheeran here, the ticket prices concert,” Ryan reveals. performance on the field. would have to be huge for the promoter because of the restriction “The stars have the home cricket “From a cricket point of view, our 01. INCOME FROM STAGING CONCERTS AT 02. THE CROWDS ENJOYING THE ELTON JOHN 03. MICHAEL BUBLE, THE NEXT SUPERSTAR TO on the number of tickets they could dressing room but it is totally T20 fixtures with Notts and Yorkshire THE PATTONAIR COUNTY GROUND IS HELPING PERFORMANCE. PERFORM IN DERBY. sell. So, as good as the venue is, we draped and transformed from what are our biggest commercial days BUILD SUCCESS ON THE PITCH. are limited by capacity. it normally is. but the Elton John concert was,

18 SPRING 2020 19 months we want to enhance the That’s the icing on the cake for customer experience for both some of the work that has been cricket and non-cricket events,” done in the women’s game,” Ryan Ryan says. says.

Final plans are still to be approved In the men’s game, hopes are by the board but could include high that 2020 will be a successful additional seating, improvements season as coaches Dave Houghton to toilets, car parking, bars and and Dominic Cork seek to build on concessions and the installation of achievements from last year, when a replay screen. the club reached the Vitality Blast finals day. “We are never going to invest millions and go into competition “We look stronger on paper than with Trent Bridge but we want to we did last year. We retained all our become an enhanced facility big-name players and promoted for hosting county cricket and some promising academy players,” women’s internationals as well,” says Ryan. Ryan says. 3 They have also made some Derbyshire has already embraced quality signings, with Australia joined Derbyshire as director of the growing women’s game and internationals Sean Abbott and Ben partnerships but took over as chief 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF DCCC was a host venue for the Women’s McDermott joining the squad. executive a little over 12 months World Cup in 2017. They have ago when predecessor Simon Derbyshire County Cricket Club is one of 18 first-class county clubs which make up the England and been chosen to stage a one-day The season will get underway Storey moved to Kent. Wales domestic cricket structure. international between England on April 19 with a home County and South Africa on September 11 Championship tie against “It’s worked well and I have The club was formed on November 4, 1870, at a meeting in the Guildhall, Derby. Here is a timeline of and two Trent Rockets women’s Leicestershire and fans can look thoroughly enjoyed it,” he says. landmarks in its history since. games in August in the new 100 forward to a schedule which will competition. “There’s never two days the same. We are such a diverse business. 1871: DCCC first game - versus Lancashire at Old 1981: Derbyshire defeat Northamptonshire to win “The feedback we have had from Sadly, I very rarely get to watch Trafford the NatWest Trophy at Lord’s under the captaincy the ECB was that they enjoyed cricket because we are doing of Barry Wood coming here. The venue works well. so many other things. We are 1884: DCFC played all home games at the cricket The operations team does a good doing the concerts, we are a club until 1895. 1982: Peter Kirsten scored his sixth double century job of hosting. conferencing business and we are for Derbyshire – a record selling sponsorships.” 1896: George Davidson makes Derbyshire’s highest “They are keen to have us as a individual first class score – 274 v Lancashire at Old 1983: New Zealand play Sri Lanka in a Prudential venue for high-profile women’s Dad-of-two Ryan is a Yorkshireman Trafford World Cup match at the County Ground matches, whether that is the new and still lives in the county of 100 format, international matches his birth because of family 1898: First class cricket played at Queen’s Park, 1984: Bob Taylor retires having completed a world or any competitions that might be commitments, travelling in each Chesterfield for the first time record number of career dismissals – 2,069 in all being hosted in this country,” Ryan day. formats says. 2 1901: Charles Ollivierre becomes one of the first “I have a fair commute but if you black cricketers to play first class cricket in England 1988: Michael Holding takes a one-day world Participation in the women’s game feature more weekend cricket enjoy what you do it’s not an when he makes his debut for Derbyshire against record 8-21 against Sussex at Hove in the NatWest locally is growing and home-grown – there will be 17 days of home issue,” he says. South Africa Trophy talent is blossoming. weekend and Bank Holiday games Derbyshire defeat Essex at Derby to secure in all. But, after seven years in Derbyshire, 1921: Bill Bestwick records Derbyshire’s best 1990: the Refuge Assurance Sunday League title, under “Sarah Glenn, who was involved he’s loving his adopted home and bowling figures of 10-40 v Glamorgan at Cardiff the captaincy of Kim Barnett, in front of 11,000 for the past 12 years in our county Memberships are already up is in no doubt who to support when Arms Park spectators pathway, has just made her debut significantly on last year for what the White Rose county comes to for England and hopefully she’ll 1925: First class cricket played at Ilkeston will be the club’s 150th anniversary town. Derbyshire defeat Lancashire in the Benson be playing here on September 11. for the first time 1993: season. and Hedges Final at Lord’s under the captaincy of “I don’t have divided loyalties. I Kim Barnett. Dominic Cork won the Gold Award for Derbyshire win the County Championship A number of celebrations are enjoy nothing more than Derbyshire 1936: his unbeaten 92 planned to mark the occasion, beating Yorkshire,” he says. under the captaincy of Arthur Richardson including an all-stars’ match, 1997: Derbyshire defeat the touring Australians at dinners with former players and an With improving financial fortunes, 1939: Horse racing concluded at Derby Derby by one wicket event at Derby Cathedral. great community backing, excitement for the upcoming 1948: Crowds in excess of 10,000 attend each day 2000: First floodlit game played at the County Ryan has only been with the club season, a significant anniversary to of the tourist match at Derby against the Australian Ground, Derby for the last seven of its 150 years but celebrate and a concert date with ‘Invincibles’ he’s proud to be at the helm of the a music superstar, Ryan might look 2004: The Gateway Centre opens; permanent club at such a significant point in its to the title of one of Michael Buble’s 1955: Cricket moves from the original square - floodlights installed at Derby history. biggest hits to sum up his current where the Days Inn Hotel is now situated - to its mood … he’s Feeling Good! present position 2012: Derbyshire win the County Championship Having worked in rugby for 17 2nd division title under the captaincy of Wayne years, including a spell as chief 1963: Les Jackson retires after taking a record 1,670 Madsen 1 executive of the Bradford Bulls, he first class wickets for Derbyshire 2014: Harvey Hosein completes a world record 11 1976: Eddie Barlow hit the highest score for dismissals on his first-class debut against Surrey at Derbyshire at Ilkeston – 217 v Surrey 01. ELTON JOHN PERFORMING ON STAGE. 02. THE CROWDS ENJOYING THE CRICKET. 03. RYAN DUCKETT ENJOYING HIS STEP UP AT The Oval DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB.

20 SPRING 2020 21 NEWS

NEW OFFICE AND RECORD TURNOVER AS LAW FIRM CELEBRATES GROWTH Derby-based law firm Bennetts Hill. Flint Bishop has opened a new Birmingham With a substantial office after a year of number of new recruits, trading success. including two partners in the insurance litigation The company, which and employment teams employs 187 lawyers over the last 12 months, and support staff, the firm has received posted a record considerable interest turnover of £14.4m, up from lawyers working nearly ten per cent on within Birmingham to join the previous year - with the new office. DAINS ACCOUNTANTS STAFF. profits also rising over the same period. Flint Bishop Chief ACCOUNTANTS on Colmore Row. Executive Qamer The integration is a Following this Ghafoor said: “This is a MAKE EXCITING strong fit for the Dains achievement, the very exciting time for ADDITION TO Commercial Services company opened a us and the move into THEIR BUSINESS team, which serves new Birmingham office, Birmingham reflects a clients from start-ups to in the heart of the period of sustained and Dains Accountants has those with a turnover of city’s business district at significant growth for the taken ownership of an several million pounds Grosvenor House, on firm.” CHIEF EXECUTIVE QAMER GHAFOOR. accountancy practice per annum. in Birmingham. “In recent years, UNI HONOURED BOMBARDIER Previously located on our proposition has BID TO BRING The conversion plans FOR ITS SUPPORT AGREES TO SELL Church Street, in the improved enormously 111-BED HOTEL have been submitted OF BUSINESS RAIL BUSINESS heart of Birmingham, for ambitious business to Derby City Council Clere’s Accountants has owners, who require TO CITY CENTRE and, if given the go- served owner-managed advice on everything The Business School at the Bombardier has agreed ahead, the new hotel businesses and from cloud accounting University of Derby has to sell its rail business to JSA Architects has would create full and individuals since 2003. to VAT, corporate been awarded the Small rival Alstom for £6.25bn. been engaged on part-time jobs. The taxation and growth Business Charter. new plans to convert ground floor would Its former employees funding”, said Dains The two companies have Forester House in become home to the will join the Dains Managing Partner, This national accolade signed a memorandum Derby city centre into large-scale eaterie and Birmingham office Richard McNeilly. DAINS MANAGING PARTNER RICHARD MCNEILLY, LEFT, an easyHotel, part the first floor would have - awarded by the of understanding and WITH CLERE’S ACCOUNTANTS OWNER STEVE CLERE. of the easyGroup of space for weddings and Chartered Association the deal is expected to businesses. conferences. of Business Schools - is complete in the first half in recognition of the of next year. COLLEGE KEEPS The quality of teaching, PROPERTY FIRM high-quality commercial Forester House, located The accommodation Business School’s high ‘GOOD’ RATING training and assessment IN EXPANSION property consultancy on the corner of would be on the top standard of support for It includes Bombardier's was commended and service. Newland Street and three floors of the small businesses and UK train-making factory FROM OFSTED the inspectors also MODE AFTER Becket Street, became five-storey building the local economy, in Litchurch Lane, Derby, praised ‘the excellent ACQUISITION Rushton Hickman will empty after the and feature 78 double as well as the work it which employs 2,000 Derby College Group has links that staff have continue to trade under relocation of JobCentre bedrooms, 27 twin does in developing people. retained its ‘good’ rating with local employers BB&J Commercial its present name, with Plus. The plans feature bedrooms and six rooms entrepreneurial skills in from Ofsted following an and higher education has acquired Rushton directors Paul Rushton a 111-bedroom hotel, a specially adapted for students. Union Unite, which inspection. providers’. Hickman, a commercial and Richard Fairey 160-seat restaurant and people with mobility represents many of the property consultancy remaining integral function room. issues. Professor Kamil Omoteso, Derby workers, is seeking The team of five Derby College Group in Burton-on-Trent, with parts of the business, Pro Vice-Chancellor and assurances about the inspectors scrutinised Chief Executive Mandie a view to expanding its but they will be joined Dean of the College of future of the plant from the quality of education, Stravino said: “The two- services. by Mark Richardson, Business, Law and Social Alstom. safeguarding and day short inspection has Graham Bancroft and Sciences at the University leadership and been introduced under Operating across the Chris Birds - with plans to of Derby, said: “To show Alstom chairman and concluded that students Ofsted’s new framework East Midlands, BB&J expand the business in that our business school, chief executive officer enjoy attending the for colleges which have Commercial was South Derbyshire, North with the full support of Henri Poupart-Lafarge college, feel safe and previously been graded established in 2010 as a Leicestershire and East the whole university, has said: "This acquisition will value the good standard as ‘good’ and we are standalone commercial Staffordshire. Small Business Charter improve our global reach of accommodation and delighted to have property division of the status sends a clear and our ability to respond resources. maintained this position. residential agency Boxall Graham Bancroft, message to the SME to the ever-increasing Brown & Jones. Director at BB&J community that we are need for sustainable Leaders, managers “Our aim continues to be Commercial, said: “We here to support them in mobility. Bombardier and governors were to strive for excellence Rushton Hickman was share many synergies with their growth, to promote Transportation will bring to praised for embedding in all aspects of our work formed in 1994 to handle Rushton Hickman, with their activity as a vital Alstom complementary a positive culture at to create world class, letting and sales of excellent reputations for part of our local and geographical presence the college in which accessible education both commercial and providing high-quality national economy and to and industrial footprint in staff, students and opportunities that enrich residential property but services in our respective drive their sustainability.” growing markets." apprentices are proud lives.” subsequently focused areas.” EASYHOTEL DERBY. to work and study. purely on providing a

22 SPRING 2020 23 THE DERBY TEAM CREATING MIND-BLOWING EXPERIENCES TO ENTERTAIN MILLIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD

They are the experience and we feel very lucky,” says co- creators and the founder and chief creative officer memory makers. They Phil Higgins. harness the power of “And you have to love it to want imagination to entertain to be in it,” adds strategy and millions of people in development director Kelly Herrick. countries all around the “Some of us love it because it’s globe. what we do with our families. Some of us travel the world going They work with some of the biggest to theme parks. I was born and names in the international leisure raised in a fair, so it’s a natural industry. And they do it all from an thing for me. There’s a little bug office on Derby’s Ashbourne Road. that everyone in the industry has and they wouldn’t want to work The neat, white exterior of their anywhere else.” Georgian building gives little away - but step inside and you enter “We are storytellers. We are either a world of wow! It’s a place of creating a story or immersing virtual reality, inhabited by cartoon in the story of the IP,” says Dawn favourites, children’s TV and film Foote, chief executive, co-founder characters and all kinds of the and final member of the three- brilliant and brilliantly bonkers. strong Katapult leadership team.

It’s Katapult. The IP Dawn is referring to is intellectual property owners – and It’s the place that theme parks turn Katapult is dealing with some of to when they need to find a way the biggest and best-known in the of keeping visitors smiling and business. The company’s clients engaged while they queue for include Lego, Cartoon Network, their busiest rides. Sea Life London Aquarium, CBeebies Land and Drayton It’s the company that operators Manor and they have been trusted on the other side of the world call to help tell the stories of much- on to help design and deliver loved characters such as Thomas new multi-million pound family the Tank Engine and Peppa Pig. attractions. Their work is now enjoyed by more And it’s the team that museums and than 50 million visitors in 81 theme heritage organisations are consulting parks across 18 different countries to help bring history to life. each year.

Katapult’s business is ‘themed They have come a long way since attraction and experience design’. the company was launched, as But, to the layman, behind the a general design and marketing bright blue front door of that agency, in 2001. There have been Ashbourne Road office is a place plenty of highs but it has also been where the magic happens! a challenging and, at times, scary journey to reach their area of “We create magic and we bring specialism, expertise and current illusions to life. It’s fun, we love it industry status.

24 SPRING 2020 25 “Sometimes we imagine what is not 1 yet conceived. That can be from a masterplan to concept design of a new resort or attraction. Or it could be a pop-up experience that you might attend at an event with an IP. It can be working within an existing theme park on a new area or designing a new ride,” explains Dawn.

“Or it could be a food and beverage outlet or a retail outlet. What does the hotel or gift shop feel and look like?” adds Kelly.

“It scales from end to end - full attraction conception, through to design and development and implementation,” says Phil.

A look through Katapult’s back-catalogue of work makes impressive viewing. Take the project the company delivered last year for Ireland’s top theme park, Tayto Park.

The team was asked to come up with ways to keep guests excited and entertained as they queued for the popular Viking Log Flume THE ASHBOURNE ROAD OFFICE. ride – a wait that could last for 90 minutes at peak times.

2 3 Dawn explains that the company one of a few specialists in an area There are some really big structural They began by creating a queue had been working heavily in the where there is lots of room for future and strategic changes we have line narrative, which tells the story supply chain for the leisure sector growth?” made as an output of the core of the Vikings and their attempts for a number of years and, having focus.” to invade Ireland. They created conducted a strategic review, “And it allowed us to build on the special effects to make Viking god the leadership team decided relationships we have from our work That new focus was underpinned Odin appear and speak to visitors that their core focus should be on in the supply chain and to activate by a clear set of values that from a cloud of mist. entertainment and experiences. them,” explains Phil. help create the Katapult culture: honesty, authenticity, continuous Augmented reality machines were There was plenty of preparation The new focus meant that the curiosity and relationships. But installed so that families could see to do but around three years ago business had to stop offering a the 17-strong team also knows it’s what they would look like dressed there was a clear shift externally. number of its previous services, about results – for clients and for as Vikings. Talking animatronic end relationships with some of its Katapult. ravens, inspired by Norse “We addressed our core values previous customers and turn off mythology, were placed alongside and measures. It actually really felt some revenue streams. “The briefs are very creative but a throne to present a fun photo right; that we had hit the nail on the usually very commercially driven. opportunity. head in terms of our core values,” “It was quite a scary decision but The metrics are usually ticket sales 4 5 says Dawn. the best decision ever,” recalls Phil. or spend per head, loyalty or dwell Interactive games were introduced time,” says Kelly. in the queue line, alongside “Externally we are in the “Generalist businesses are where low-tech features such as drums experience economy. Everybody people get lost or forgotten or hide “How do you get people to pick up and horns for visitors to play, and knows that people want to buy or become bored,” adds Kelly. an item from retail or get families longboat sails, props and scent and more time, more connection, more to stay an extra half an hour? How smoke machines help theme the memory-making and less stuff,” “Specialist businesses are where do we got people to write a good whole experience. adds Kelly. you attract like-minded people. guest review? Clients want the Everyone is excited by their little very best, biggest, fastest thing. The park and the guests have been “From matching up this internal niche. That’s where the magic Everyone is in an arms race for delighted. focus and our core values, we starts to happen. having the best guest experience saw the market we actually enjoy and the best entertainment “We developed a narrative that being in was one of the fastest “The values and the core focus solution. starts off with guests joining the growth markets in the world and drive practical decision-making Viking army and Odin calling them was outpacing things like local and and practical focus within the “It’s very much pushing the back in time. You choose your regional B2B marketing, which was business. We did restructure the boundaries of what we can helmet, your Viking name, you some of the other stuff we were team. We did turn off clients. We achieve. We are working on stuff learn some Viking insults and you doing. did turn on new clients. that we don’t even know is going go on Viking games to improve We did employ new specialists in to be a real thing yet. It’s very your speed and agility, so you are 01. THE VIKING VOYAGE RIDE ENTRANCE. 04. STRIKE A POSE ON THE PHOTO “Strategically and commercially, roles that we never knew we would exciting.” ready to join the army,” says Kelly. 02. TEST YOUR REFLEXES IN THE THEMED OPPORTUNITY. why fight 100 other generic design require before the process. We QUEUE LINE. 05. THEMED PROPS COME TO LIFE agencies for the same share of B2B have gone into markets that we So, what kind of commissions come “The Odin mist projection is a high 03. INTERACTIVE PROPS KEEP GUESTS WITH GUEST PARTICIPATION. comms, for example, or why not be have never exported to before. Katapult’s way? impact audio-visual experience. It’s ENTERTAINED. on a timer so it gives you a boom

26 SPRING 2020 27 1

THE MIST PROJECTED ODIN DELIVERING HIS MISSION.

2 3

“We create magic and we bring illusions to life. It’s fun, we love it and we feel very lucky.” THEMING OF THE VIKING VOYAGE RIDE.

and really scares the guests,” adds the project from concept, through will work with clients to consider 4 5 Phil. design to delivery, creating a strategy and insights, design, combination of challenges and content and media and executive “We also created augmented immersive experiences to keep production. reality selfie-booths that you look children and adults entertained. into and they put on a Viking “We have a method and helmet and show you immersed They made creative tables for approach for how we look at as a character. Within that guests to make and proudly briefs that’s repeatable, scalable queue we also inserted a photo display their LEGO masterpieces. and proven. We always start off opportunity with the ravens. It’s a They encouraged guests to make being insight-driven: what are big wooden Viking chair you sit on, their own stop motion video, using the commercial goals, where’s promoting self-capture and social fixed iPad points. They challenged the market, what’s the audience, amplification, but when you sit guests to design a vehicle, capable who is buying it and what’s the down you have two slightly abusive of making it down a daring zip competition?” explains Kelly. animatronic ravens hurling abuse line. And they celebrated visitors’ about how ugly you look and trying creations with a photo opportunity “We look at emotional insight as to create a bit of comedy.” wall and audible cheering well. What are the emotions that experience. people are feeling throughout Katapult was also invited by Merlin the experience? There are key Entertainments to develop event It all sounds like the best fun – emotional drivers which we have kits to be delivered simultaneously ever! But there’s a serious process mapped – key elements of the 01. KATAPULT FOUNDERS PHIL HIGGINS, DAWN 03. BRAINSTORMING IN THE IDEAS ROOM. 05. SOME OF THE UNIQUE INTERIOR IN THE at 19 of its Legoland Discovery that goes into creating each guest flow, entrance and exit, key FOOTE AND DIRECTOR KELLY HERRICK 04. A CONCEPT DESIGNER PERFECTING THEIR ‘BOARD’ ROOM. Centres worldwide. The team took experience. Katapult’s experts points of ticketing or ride queue, 02. THE THANK YOU WALL. EXPERIENTIAL DESIGN.

28 SPRING 2020 29 1 2

3

they might have done something features all sorts: drop ride, spinning development – but it’s an industry getting on and off the ride, queuing 300 theme parks and attractions as was an existing building which wrong,” adds Phil. ride, themed bumper cars, high which values discretion and the for food and beverage - and what a team all around the world. We you walk through. We got the ropes, soft play, ice skating, a team are prevented from talking we do is audit it from our own know what works. We are all theme CAD plans and we built that in Katapult are currently working on simulator, food and beverage and about much of their creative point of view but we also look and park nerds.” 3D and started to think about projects in the UK, Europe, North party rooms.” pipeline because of non-disclosure see the reactions and actions of utilising the queue line. How can and South America and the Middle agreements. people going through it. So, with customers all over the we make it more interesting, what East, where more than 40 per cent Katapult’s decision to concentrate globe, how well does it work being can we do with the space, where of their work now originates. One on the experience market looks They can be involved in a project “We can see if people are bored based in Derby? Of course, the will the bottlenecks be? And then of their major projects is Cartoon a sound one – with more sectors, for as long as two years before waiting for a ticket, are they getting team travels but it also does a lot we started to build it in VR,” says Network World Kuwait, which is due such as retail, food and drink and being allowed to tell the outside fractious, are parents arguing of its work – and its communicating Phil. to open in the second quarter of education and heritage, looking to world. And they are happy to play with their children, are people on with clients – through virtual reality. this year. It’s a 3,000 square metre, adopt such an approach. along. their phones and chewing gum “As a team we can step into indoor family entertainment centre because they cannot be bothered “We can have a Middle East client, that space, see how big it is and and it’s a scheme that Katapult has “It’s about how experience gets “We don’t like to break the magic. to look at what is happening our IP in London and us in Derby - decide where to put things. We’re been involved with right from the woven into the fabric of your It’s an industry based on creating around them?” we all have VR headsets and we using that pretty much on every beginning. daily life and how much people a willing suspension of disbelief, are able to upload iterations to experience design we do.” want that. That’s going from big so you don’t want to see how it’s That insight is borne from huge that so they can see the update,” “It will cover Cartoon Network experiences, like theme parks, to being done or hear about it until its experience in the sector. explains Dawn. The VR also helps clients and key brands: the Powerpuff Girls, things that you pop to while you’re being launched and it’s out there,” investors to understand the vision. Ben 10, We Bare Bears and the shopping. What’s that cinema says Kelly. “We know the market really well,” “We use VR for design Amazing World of Gumball. We experience? What’s that eating out says Kelly. development for the client and “It’s the nearest they will come to have been there since early high- experience? People are craving “We do all weave magic, so we all also for ourselves internally. So, with seeing the concept come to life level concept, zoning the space, the social connection, memory- understand that illusion. We’re the “Last year we went to more than the Tayto park queue line, there without building it and realising that working with Cartoon Network and making and life experiences. It’s illusionists of Ashbourne Road!” the clients,” says Phil. only going to become a bigger and bigger trend.” 01. SOME OF THE TEAM WORKING IN THE 02. A MAP HIGHLIGHTING THE GLOBAL 03. BREAKOUT SPACES FOR THE TEAM TO HAVE “We used the VR from early on in COLOURFUL STUDIO. PROJECTS THE TEAM TAKE ON. MEETINGS TOGETHER. this project, creating an immersive There are lots of exciting new Cartoon Network experience. It clients and projects in the

30 SPRING 2020 31 ARE WE READY FOR THE ‘ROCK AND ROLL’ AGE Phil Ellis, Divisional Director, Bowmer OF DISRUPTION? & Kirkland

As we enter a new decade, Derbyshire business Richard leaders discuss their thoughts on the economy and Blackmore, how Brexit, skills, changing consumer habits and Regional Director, CBI East climate change will impact. Midlands

there are issues around education, social mobility and, maybe, Ian Bates, fragmentation of a political system, Sector Forum and John Forkin, which sometimes doesn’t help. Representation Managing Manager, Director, There are three questions I want to East Midlands Marketing Derby address. Chamber and Chair of Talking Business I’m interested in the big picture stuff for your business and your sector John Forkin: For the past 30 to 40 over the next two to five years and years people have seen 2020 as the big issues coming down the the end date for the achievement line. David Lister, of all sorts of things. Derby had its Sales Director, vision, which was to be a top 10 Second, what are your views on MX Display city. the wider socio-economic political context? Well, we are here, now. We are Helen Wathall at the beginning of the 20s. Will And then, thirdly, where do you feel MBE, Managing the focus of our partnership, if you Director they be the roaring 20s, as they Wathall’s and were 100 years ago, or will they like, of economic activity should Chair of St Peters end up with the Wall Street Crash, be? Quarter BID which also happened in the 20s? Who knows? We are about to go So, Richard, I’m going to start with through an interesting decade one you. At the CBI, you represent very way or another. large employers and many others. What’s your CBI take on this big Sean Clare, Globally, I would argue, we are picture for the next two to five Associate still in the post-2008 crash zone. years and how it might impact on Director, Blue What happened then was not Derby and Derbyshire? Arrow like a heart attack but more like a stroke. We have challenges like Richard Blackmore: We have seen climate change; you have the three relatively turbulent years with emergence of strong blocks – what’s been going on with Brexit, China, America, Europe. You have whichever way your position lay. It Richard this connected, global economy. has been a challenge for a lot of businesses and I’ve seen quite a Pigott, Director, We are part of a world that we Planning Design can’t switch off and pretend we few that are coming out the other are not part of. side but also where pipelines are not that strong because investment has been held off. This is an interesting day to Christopher be holding this discussion. Mallett, Technically, tonight we’re leaving It’s really important now, from a Associate the EU at 11 o’clock. Tomorrow business perspective and working Director, morning, we will notice no with Government, that we look as Aston Lark difference. We have got a new positively as possible at how we government, which has a clear can influence what happens. majority, so we are likely to have Hannah Fox, stability of government for five From a CBI perspective, over Director of years - possibly longer. And, more the next year we know what we Projects and locally, I think that in Derby and have got. We have got a new Programmes, government, with a majority, that is Derby Museums Derbyshire, we have been pushing Trust innovation consistently now for able to do things. That’s a positive three or four years and it seems to - whichever colour politically you resonate with investors and with the may be. Every business is looking for people. some certainty. Richard In the economy, we have, more From a point of what we see from Beevers, or less, full employment. It seems, that government, we have a Director, on the surface, quite buoyant but Budget coming up in March. It’s Customer Plus

32 SPRING 2020 33 HW: I think we will see a radical become more relevant and of people investing in permanent shake-up of the High Street. Derby useful to their cities and, as an employees as well as their temps. and other cities of a similar size, we organisation, the Museum of are in the middle. The larger cities Making has developed out of that The biggest struggle, which will have greater investment and can need and Derby saying we need probably come as no shock, is create a pool of people to visit something that supports us as a the unemployment levels, which is "It might need the city, and the smaller cities and showcase of innovation, as a place where we need to be working with new thinking, towns have a community which where we can say to people this is the education community, to make is more focused on them. We are why we are here, this is why we are sure that when businesses want to new models, sitting in the middle a little bit. special, this is why Derby is brilliant, hire, there are staff available. new delivery, but also for local and regional The people who own the buildings audiences to see as a place that’s Derbyshire has one of the lowest some radical are not local. It’s trust funds and in their lives every day, every week. unemployment rates in the country. hedge funds and they don’t really It does circle back round to Brexit, alliances and care as long as they get paid. And that means we have to in that it comes back to having the collaborations And, to me, there is a distinct expand the perspectives of what ability for people to remain in the lack of cohesion between the museums are and can be – a country and retain those skillsets but I think businesses, who pay the rates, and place where you can come and here but, equally, to be able to the 20s will some of those who are making the base your business, have a meeting encourage people to be able to decisions. We need more joined-up or develop a new skill. come. be the age of thinking, otherwise I fear that Derby will implode upon itself. I think we also have to reflect on JF: I’m interested in your insight into disruption." how we are investing in culture how real that full employment is? JF: Hannah, you have the Museum and how we are seeing culture of Making opening this year. You’ve as an essential part of our civic SC: It’s real. We are still buoyant but got to bring some optimism to the infrastructure. it is a struggle right now, from blue SEAN CLARE. table. You’re opening something collar to senior appointments. It’s that thousands of people are going JF: Tell us about Blue Arrow, Sean, very difficult to get people. going to be interesting to see what tariffs going back and forth across tier has been very strong. I can’t to go through the doors of. How do the sector you are in and how you comes into that. Europe. That’s not just a concern in explain that. you guys see the period moving see prospects. Richard Beevers: To link in with Derby, that’s a concern in Japan. forward from a wider cultural that, people ask me about the A key focus the Government has That’s where the global picture at Going forward, we have very perspective? Sean Clare: We are in recruitment, future and I say I really want to is about levelling out across the how the UK is open to investment good order books. Investment in UK wide, and we touch pretty make it past the end of the DFS regions. There’s a great deal of talk is going to be looked at and it’s the sector was constrained until Hannah Fox: I think that it’s much every area of recruitment, sale. In this case DFS stands for suddenly going on about regional going to be really important that the election. That’s been released important to say, for us, it’s from manufacturing, transportation, digital disruption, funding and skills. connectivity. I think HS2 – and the the Government starts to make now and we are starting to see about building collaborations hospitality and catering, retail and Chamber in this area has done a positive signs moving forward. that coming through. In terms of and alliances to create an eco- office. Digital disruption - and this is linked great job in pushing that forward – the industry as a whole, it’s looking system that’s about economy, to the High Street - you can sit at if you listen to reports, it seems likely What wasn’t helpful was that the quite promising over the next environment and community in the It was a good year last year for us. home and buy stuff, you can go that HS2 is going to get backing Chancellor, three weeks ago, in couple of years, even though the cities because then that allows our Employment didn’t slow down. We online because the functionality of and move forward, which, for the an article in the Financial Times, figures last year showed it dipping. communities to flourish. were still putting record numbers of purchasing is there. If you want to majority of businesses is something suggested that we won’t have temporary and permanent workers go out and buy and test and feel, that we want to see because it will much alignment and we are JF: Your sector as a whole, is it likely Museums have had to shift over out across the country. If anything, you have to have a really good help in regeneration of the area going to be moving considerably to grow over the next two to five recent years to see how they we were seeing in Derbyshire a lot experience, and I think there is a – it will bring in jobs, it will bring in differently to how the EU has. Now years? homes. there has been some reigning back on that already but businesses PE: It feels like we are towards the I think, looking more at the larger immediately after that just felt more top of one of our cycles but I think Brexit piece, the next 10 to 12 uncertainty because they didn’t that cycle will be extended a little months are going to be key for all know what was going to happen. bit. We are approaching the top. businesses as we look at the trade I think, with the challenge we have deal and how that pans out with got at the moment, we need to JF: If you take another sector, Europe but also with the US. have business involvement in these Helen, with your St Peters hat on, trade negotiations. there is a structural realignment JF: You and I have both said that going on in retail. the country has gone through a JF: People have very strong views period of uncertainty and now on Brexit but it’s not going away. Helen Wathall: The big picture we’ve got a bit more certainty but, The dial is going to be turned up for the High Street is directly in truth, has the uncertainty not in the next year and not down. affected by points two and three even started yet. Have we just had But let’s just park Brexit for the time of your questions today – the a phoney war? being. Turning to you, Phil, what’s it socio-economic position and like now in the construction industry partnerships and I fear that without RBl: These next 10 to 12 months, in and what are your projections for a partnership between business some ways, are more critical than the next two to five years? and planners and innovators that the last three years. We are coming the High street will continue to go to the point where we are making Phil Ellis: The industry has been down. the decisions about what our future very split over the last year. There looks like and how we are going to were 22 major construction JF: Is the decline in shopfront retail trade. If we look in Derby, we have companies in the UK went into going to continue? Phil was saying a large employer in Toyota – they administration in 2019. There were his sector might be at the top of a have concerns about how they names that you would not have cycle, where’s the bottom of the are going to operate if there are expected to go. But the middle cycle for retail? THE PANEL IN FULL DISCUSSION.

34 SPRING 2020 35 big problem with the experience nice environments for people. If on the High Street. this promised additional funding in these areas transpires, we are Going back to DFS, I’m going to positioning ourselves to capitalise miss out funding for a moment on that. and go to skills. The high-value knowledge workers, there is a big JF: Are you growing in the next five issue here and I still think schools years? and universities have a lot to answer for in terms of employability DL: We are hoping to grow. We skills and soft skills. You need these have continued to grow over the skills but they are not coming last few years. It’s been incremental through. I’m getting graduates but we are in a stronger place now. with quite poor grammar skills and Finding the right people and skills presentation skills coming in for is the biggest challenge when we interview. are looking for people in semi-junior positions we are either getting That takes me to F. Funding is an people with a law degree, who issue still. The lack of funding for a it’s not going to be right for, or it’s really good growth plan, unless you people with no GCSEs. That’s a want to give the silver away to a challenge. VC, just doesn’t exist anymore. JF: Ian, you represent a large JF: Christopher, from an Aston Lark number of businesses across the position, and your sector, does any East Midlands and have your finger of this land with you? on the pulse, what’s the Chamber CHRISTOPHER MALLETT. PHIL ELLIS. line regionally and maybe Christopher Mallett: The prospects nationally looking forward? for the insurance sector are harks back to what Richard was that same volume of capital is not The Government is doing all that it it’s a resource issue rather than a probably a bit different to other feels it can with funding, to bring red tape issue? Ian Bates: The feedback around sectors but, just looping back on saying about the skills gaps - having out there. So insurance will become the table resonates and reflects a the people that are able to adapt more expensive. That drives a trend some of the more difficult sites what Richard said about skills, I feel forward, but the market is still pretty RP: It’s a red tape issue as well. lot of the conversation, particularly that acutely at the moment – that and able to change their way of within the industry for consolidation. around skills. In the Quarter Four thinking and support businesses skewed in favour of the big boys There’s so much more scrutiny now lack of soft skills, that lack of ability and that leads to land-banking on than there used to be because economic survey, which gained to think critically, presentation, around those developing areas of risk. As we get into a phase where around 450 respondents across brokers consolidate and offices occasions and things don’t come of the internet. Anyone can sit leadership. forward as quickly as they might if at home now and look through the three counties, we asked did The challenge for the insurance close, not having a presence in you look to recruit in the last three industry more generally is one of Derby is not just about not being the market was more diverse. every single document that’s been That’s a big drag on growth, submitted, know an application months? Fifty per cent did but, of especially in a city like Derby, consolidation. We are coming out able to get someone out in front of those, 60 per cent struggled to of a period where there was a lot you and talk about your areas of As a planning consultant, the inside out and challenge it. With which is as production-focused as politics of planning is always that greater scrutiny, planners are recruit. it is. of capital that was supporting the risk, it’s the potential of losing some insurance market, prices were low, of the local nuances about how do difficult. It’s been a real political much more risk-adverse. They need football over the past 10 years. a report for absolutely everything, There’s been a lot of discussions From an insurance perspective, and we are moving into a situation I arrange cover for a business in the about the issues but what are where, because of some of that Cathedral Quarter which is subject which increases cost and time. as a business which specialises JF: Over the next two to five years, the opportunities to make a in mitigating uncertainty and broader geo-political uncertainty, to some of the local issues which difference? As a Chamber we are are really Derby specific? do you predict that planning will Scrutiny isn’t inherently a bad risk management, we have become easier or harder? thing but because there is a lack had a good, strong period of of resource to carry out that growth, which, in part, is from the That puts businesses under pressure because you don’t have the ability RP: I don’t think it will change a lot scrutinising everything just takes uncertainty that comes from Brexit either way. One of the difficulties longer. – the challenges around supply to find the risk protection that can help you grow and take away of what we do is the lack of chain, with businesses looking to resourcing of local authorities. JF: David, how do you guys at MX mitigate that wherever possible. some of that concern that stops you investing. There are not enough people to Display see things. process these applications. They The thing that perhaps stands JF: Richard, talk about planning. do their best but things take a long David Lister: We work in all sectors, out to us and is one of the trends time to get through the planning so our risk is spread. When some that the insurance industry needs "There’s so process because of that lack of sectors have slowed down, we to react to, is additional and Richard Pigott: At our practice, we do a lot of residential work - a funding. Whether that will improve have been successful in other developing areas of uncertainty. much more in the short term, I don’t know. areas. Talking Brexit again, we have That might be the threat of cyber, lot of big housing schemes, from scrutiny now 100 plus houses up to 1,200 houses. noticed, in the last few years, some the threat of terrorism or the PE: Where do you think they will key projects were put on hold. We environmental threat. than there used As everyone probably knows, demand for housing is high. There find the planners though? We have are hoping now we are seeing to be because is a housing shortage across the the same issues on the bigger some green chutes that these are That’s a real challenge for an commercial sites as well. going to be instigated again. industry that has been around for country. There is a problem with the of the internet." market. It’s dominated by a small hundreds of years and is very much RP: With conservation, in particular, We work with some really big focussed on bricks and mortar and number of large housebuilders and, I think, what happened with the there’s a real issue there. It can companies, like Rolls Royce, JCB very long-established areas of risk. take a long time just to get a and Toyota, but we also work Being able to respond to someone crash in 2007/08 is that a lot of the smaller to medium-sized companies meeting with the people doing with really small companies and who might be sitting 10,000 miles that. everything in between. We do away and trying to hack into a disappeared. So, there’s a real problem getting that part of the more work in education and business’s computer system is JF: Everyone likes to moan about health care and are diversifying something the industry really needs sector back and running and it’s planning but your contention is that our product offerings to create HELEN WATHALL. to respond to and that’s where it really only happening now.

36 SPRING 2020 37 the opportunity? If we are at rock that’s hung over us – certainly over thinking, new models, new delivery, bottom, where is the opportunity the past three years because of some radical alliances and for us to lead and show that Brexit but also, maybe, over the collaborations but I think the 20s will we can change the way that past 12 years since the crash. It’s be the age of disruption. education and social mobility and a new year, a new decade, new all these things are tied together certainty - question mark! It’s going to be rock and roll age of and, as a city that has done disruption and we need to buckle this continuously over 300 years, Second point is, have we been up for the ride. where’s our opportunity to show fighting a phoney war or the wrong what that could be? battle? We have been having this drama around Brexit but, it In museums, we are a key player in seems to me, that we have the how we think about development twin economy, the twin country. In of people and support our Derby we have the highest salaries communities. We have 10,000 outside London but we have the schoolchildren come through our fifth-worst social mobility stats in the programmes every year and that country. That’s an example of the will double with the Museum of challenge. Making. This levelling-up, what does it really RBe: Do we need to start again mean and what needs to happen with education. The answer is around education, skills, ambitions yes. But at what point is any and aspirations? government brave enough to do that? The third, therefore, it seems to me that the structural realignment RBl: Your opening point about in all our sectors, it seems that is what we are going to be looking hard-wired. This is not a storm that at over the next two to five years - is going to pass, no more than what’s going to make an impact? climate change is a storm that’s Sustainability. It’s going to be huge going to pass. for business, huge for the reputation of business but huge for reputation It’s the High Street, its business of an area as well. realignment and I think, for the next HANNAH FOX. 10 years, we can survive by fix and JF: I’ve got three bullets in mending but maybe we need to RICHARD BEEVERS. summary. First, this uncertainty be a bit braver. It might need new offering all secondary schools free mention FE, that’s been a massively there, so someone like Phil will be membership so they can engage underfunded and misunderstood getting colleges knocking on the with the business community sector for many years. door saying can you help? without any barriers. Talk about that levelling-up JF: Is the problem that we need to We also need to look at how process. We might or might not develop the skills that businesses businesses sit within the community. want a train to arrive here in 2040 need but the skills that businesses If you sit within the community and but there’s no way that’s going to need are changing and evolving opportunities arise, you can grasp make a difference to the levelling- and if you have half of your them a lot better if you understand up agenda for the next five to 10 population at 16 who can’t read or your community. years. write or add up, which is what we have, to an international standard, I think there’s diversification of the Are we being radical enough? that for me is the problem. We are workforce. We are working with a not resourcing it enough. national children’s deaf society. IB: I think taking the political They work with people up to 25. A element out of the skills sector HF: I’m really passionate about lot of people might be concerned would be a useful thing. T-levels this. We’ve talked about soft skills. about employing someone who are coming up in September. The I think it’s about where we are as is deaf. They can support on that. majority of businesses don’t even a city and a region. It’s not great People with autism have a certain know what they are. There’s 45 in terms of education. We have set of skills. There are different ways hours of onsite work experience got some real issues. So, where’s of looking for your potential new employees.

JF: If you read government policies, there’s a lot of focus on "We also need to look at how productivity, where we seem to lag behind globally. Taking the businesses sit within the community. five or 10-year picture, I wonder if If you sit within the community and there’s a fundamental challenge that this country has to look in the opportunities arise, you can grasp face with the education service them a lot better if you understand and the fact that coming out of the education service, certainly your community." in this part of the world, we are performing appallingly? Then you THE PANEL.

38 SPRING 2020 39 Back HOW A £150 MILLION SCHEME IS CREATING HUNDREDS OF NEW HOMES ON DERELICT SITE OF to Life FORMER HOSPITAL Florence Nightingale’s “It was the site itself - to get 18.5 acres in a city centre, and the fact statue gazes out across it was an old hospital site and had London Road – standing the heritage,” explains managing guard over the site of the director James Dickens. former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. “And to have landmarks like the pepper pots gave the site an The world-famous nurse played a identity.” major role in shaping hospital care in the city but the wards that she The pepper pots James refers to helped to develop have long since are two original features of the gone. hospital that were retained as the majority of the buildings were The last patient left the DRI in 2009, demolished – their onion-shaped following the opening of the Royal roofs forming a distinctive part of Derby Hospital, and for a decade the London Road skyline. the site has been mostly unused and unloved – the monument to Others had seen their presence the Lady of the Lamp one of the on the site as a problem, with few reminders of its historic and a previous owner proposing important past. demolition of one of the towers. The move prompted a petition of But all that has now begun to 3,000 names in protest. change. But Wavensmere views these Rather poetically, in the year that features as vital parts of their plans. marks the 200th anniversary of Florence’s birth, £150 million is being One will be extended and turned injected into breathing new life into a restaurant that will be open into one of Derby’s most important to residents in the development locations. and the general public. It will sit at the end of a tree-lined boulevard. The Nightingale Quarter, as the The other will initially house a 18.5-acre plot has been renamed, sales office but eventually will be is being developed to create 800 transformed into a gym. new homes over the next five years.

Bulldozers are already on the site, with the first residents expected to move in by autumn of this year.

Wavensmere Homes is the company behind the scheme. It has developed a reputation over the past 15 years for delivering high-specification renovation projects and restoring heritage sites to their former glories.

So, what was it that attracted them to Derby? JAMES DICKENS.

40 SPRING 2020 41 “We understand the sensitivity and importance of these local landmarks as the hospital played a pivotal role in the city and we want them to be enjoyed by all.”

THE PEPPER POTS AT THE OLD DRI HOSPITAL SITE. HOW THE TRANSFORMED PEPPER POTS WILL LOOK.

“Both pepper pots will be Bringing a heritage site like this launch of Castleward, which is Castleward was very brave. We substantial planting runs through bed and three-bed houses. The retained for community use. back to life is socially appealing also creating 800 homes on sites have been fortunate enough to the main axis of the site,” James ground floors of the houses have We understand the sensitivity but, of course, the numbers have just across London Road from the have had three years of economic reveals. been designed as open-plan to and importance of these local to stack up for a project to make Nightingale Quarter. growth to provide a premium maximise on space and versatility. landmarks as the hospital played a business sense and as Wavensmere product that will attract a different The properties themselves will be pivotal role in the city and we want and BBS assessed the potential, Wavensmere sees Castleward’s consumer into the city.” pretty special too – with sleek, Prices start from £182,500 and them to be enjoyed by all,” James they were impressed by Derby’s existence as a positive – a view white gloss kitchens, high-spec’ even before plots were released says. demographics and key indicators shared by Dave Bullock, managing That premium product will include bathrooms and luxury flooring. Wavensmere had received more in its economy - such as the director of Compendium Living, homes being built in a “green than 2,000 enquiries from potential This is not the only nod to the site’s comparatively high salaries paid to which has been developing the oasis”, with a total of six acres of The homes will be a mix of one-bed buyers. Sales director Donna Smith heritage – with the design of the many workers and the number of £100 million Castleward project open space being created across and two-bed apartments and two- is delighted with the interest. new houses taking inspiration from millennial start-up businesses. since 2013. Nightingale Quarter and the former rail workers’ cottages that planting of 1,000 trees. “The Nightingale Quarter is a site line nearby city streets. “It’s rare to get a site like this in a “It’s fantastic news that that is already proving incredibly city as positive as Derby, with such Wavensmere are now on site. Many of the houses will have popular and we have been “A lot of Derby’s early industry a strong employment base,” says Having the critical mass across their own gardens. There will be a inundated with people wanting to was based around the railway. We Nick. London Road to create a new children’s play area, an outdoor be on the list to be first to buy. always take a lot of inspiration from neighbourhood with a much gym, cycle paths and a jogging what’s around,” says James. Derby is also a place that has, greater number of properties than track around the site – close to “I think because it is a new city in recent times, woken up to the we would have managed alone is the historic, listed wall which runs centre development and people “If you pay homage to history, the attractions of city living – albeit wonderful,” says Dave. around the complete boundary, have such an affinity with the site product will stand the test of time,” some years after many of its creating a feeling of privacy and and the pepper pot structures, this adds Nick Spencer, co-founder of neighbours. Nick says that although Derby was safety. has made it a magnet for buyers of BBS Capital, a real estate finance a late-adopter of city living, the all ages,” she says. investment management business, For a long time, there were few offer will be a strong one. “We have been working with Derby established in 2003, which is options for those wanting to make City Council’s planning team to The race is now on to get the first partnering Wavensmere to create a home at the heart of things but “People did not think it existed create an environment which homes ready for occupation by the Nightingale Quarter. that began to change with the so did not come looking for it. encourages an active lifestyle and DONNA SMITH. Quarter Four of this year.

42 SPRING 2020 43 Around 100 groundworkers and the box and to find something that vibrant centre to a place where so civil engineers from M. Lambe is too difficult for those guys,” says much economic activity happens Construction are busy at work – James. outside the centre. and, in a further boost to the local economy, Birmingham-based Wavensmere is already engaged “We are trying to attract the Lambe’s have decided to open a in a number of other projects investors to complete our jigsaw. permanent Derby office to service elsewhere in the UK but James says This piece of the jigsaw is one of their sites in the East Midlands. the company would be open to the most important. It was really Company director Michael Lambe further opportunities in Derby. important that the right people said: “The Nightingale Quarter took hold of it. We needed is a very exciting development “I would definitely do another someone who understood for Derby and we are excited at scheme in Derby. We just have to the heritage of the place and being appointed the groundworks find the land,” he says. understood the city demographic and civil engineering partner by and where it’s going to.” Wavensmere Homes. For the time being, though, he is delighted that Nightingale Quarter He added: “The vision for the “Although this is the first scheme is now underway. site has been drawn up with secured with the developer, sensitivity but with an eye on the we have long-standing “We’re incredibly proud that work future. Finally, after all this time, relationships built on trust with has now begun on the site and this development is real. There are their management team, having we are able to show residents and people on site – a lot of them local successfully delivered several businesses that we have been able people - and over the next few projects for them while working for to follow through on our promise years this amazing urban village will previous clients. to start the process in developing start to emerge. the land, which has stood as a “We’ve had for some time a large brownfield site for so many years,” “I look forward to seeing this East Midlands-based site team to he says. important part of Derby’s past ACCESSIBLE OPEN SPACES FOR RESIDENTS. support our existing clients but the becoming a vital community asset opening of a permanent base in The development has certainly for its future too.” Derby is a clear signal of our long- been well-received in a city that term commitment to them.” has been desperate to see such a Florence Nightingale’s statue vital site brought back into use. gazes out across London Road. The The engineers - and the builders hospital that she helped to inspire that follow them - will have to John Forkin, managing director may be gone but she can now be deal with a site that has some of Marketing Derby, describes confident that the site which bears challenges. But that was one of the Nightingale Quarter as one of the her name has a bright future. “I look forward to seeing this features that made it attractive to largest city centre regeneration Wavensmere. sites in the country. important part of Derby’s past becoming a vital community “We want mass. The way to find “The Nightingale Quarter is a key that is by doing something that’s asset in the centre of Derby. The asset for its future too.” difficult. The big boys want a flat, city has for some time had an green site. We need to look outside ambition of trying to create a

HOW THE NIGHTINGALE QUARTER WILL LOOK. MODERN, AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HOUSING.

44 SPRING 2020 45 Site’s crucial role in city life Remembering the work of a for more than two centuries remarkable health pioneer

The name Nightingale Quarter She did much to address the published in 1860, were hugely acknowledges the pioneering terrible conditions that she influential and, in the same year, work of one of Derbyshire’s most discovered on her arrival in Turkey, she was consulted by Derbyshire celebrated figures. with soldiers being poorly cared for, General Infirmary’s Dr Ogle with left unwashed and kept in rooms regard to a new extension at what Florence Nightingale wasn’t without blankets or decent food. would eventually become the actually from the county. She was Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. born in Italy and named after the She also took charge of some of city of her birth. the soldiers’ affairs, sending mail In 1869, the new wing, and money home to their families. incorporating many of her But her links to the county are She persuaded the doctors to pioneering methods, was opened strong – as are her associations with let the men have reading rooms and a statue of Florence was the Derby city centre site where and worked tirelessly to improve placed in its grounds. Wavensmere are now building 800 nutrition and sanitation and reduce new homes. mortality rates. Florence Nightingale died on August 13, 1910, at the age of 90. Her family home was at Lea Hurst, She returned to England in 1856 near Matlock, and it was from there and, four years later, established that she helped spark huge reform the Nightingale Training School of nursing in the mid-19th Century. for nurses at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. Her nurses were sent to Nightingale Quarter will play an domed towers and long central expertise in hand surgery, thanks Florence had risen to national hospitals throughout Britain and important part in helping Derby corridor, was ready to admit its first to the pioneering efforts of Guy prominence as ‘the Lady of the introduced the ideas and practices to thrive and prosper – a fitting patients. It would continue to tend Pulvertaft, who worked as a Lamp’ during the Crimean War they had learnt. role, perhaps, for a site that has to the county’s injured and sick for surgeon at the hospital from 1947 – the title a nod to the late hours been key to the city’s health for the next 115 years. until 1972. she worked tending to the ill and Nightingale’s theories on sanitation, more than 200 years. wounded. health and hospital planning, The infirmary was a pioneering He was the first president of the It was home to the Derbyshire institution and was responsible for British Society for Surgery of the General Infirmary from 1810 a number of advancements in Hand and the International and, eight decades later, when healthcare. Federation of Societies for the its buildings were condemned Surgery of the Hand and was following an outbreak of typhoid, The UK’s first ‘Flying Squad’ – the awarded the CBE for services to became the location of the forerunner to today’s paramedic hand surgery. Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. Queen services – was established at the Victoria visited in May 1891 to lay hospital in 1955. Years after its founder’s retirement, the foundation stone for the new the Pulvertaft Hand Centre at the hospital – an occasion chronicled The squad was the brainchild of DRI was chosen to treat Prince in the style of its time by the surgeon Dr John Collins, who had William after he suffered a fractured Derbyshire Advertiser. the idea of setting up a mobile index finger playing rugby. emergency medical service after Its correspondent wrote: “It is a he read about a train crash in And the hospital was also home little startling to find that the visit to which 12 people died and scores to the first National Rehabilitation Derby of Her Most Gracious Majesty were injured. Demonstration Centre, thanks to the Queen was due, amongst the efforts of a team established other reasons, to the mischievous The tragedy set him thinking about by George Mackenzie Cochrane. destructiveness of the common rat. what would happen if a similar They set up a bio-engineering disaster took place in Derby and laboratory to produce customised “A number of the rodents in how the DRI would cope. His equipment, such as individually question, burrowing with the answer was simple and has since moulded seating to support adults reckless pertinacity of their nature been adopted all around the and children in wheelchairs, and amongst the decaying brick drains world. Instead of staff standing created one of the first driving under and around the present by in hospitals waiting for patients assessment centres to help infirmary building, contrived to arrive by ambulance, why not disabled people get back behind to riddle holes. The foul gasses take the accident and emergency the wheel. escaped and permeated the department to the scene? building. The majority of the infirmary Back in 1955, it was something eventually closed to the public “The institution designed for of a makeshift service – and Dr in 2009, with accident and the purpose of restoring health Collins, himself, would use a taxi to emergency one of the first became itself an originating centre transport him and his medical bag departments to move over to the of disease. A new building became to the scene of an accident – but new Royal Derby Hospital, although necessary and, to lay its foundation over the years it developed until the link between the site and the stone, the Queen graciously the service had its own dedicated health service remains through the consented to visit Derby.” and fully-equipped vehicles London Road Community Hospital, which still functions there. After three years of construction, The DRI also established an the DRI, with its onion-shaped international reputation for its

46 SPRING 2020 47 1 4 Planners back

£200m bid 2 3 5 6 to transform

One of the most has a negative impact on the International Regeneration Project eyesore site important schemes economy and townscape of the of the Year. city centre, acting as a catalyst to to regenerate Derby wider improvement of the area.” The company’s development has taken a huge step director, Paul Morris, said he forward after planners Councillors were told that more was delighted with the planning gave it their support. than 200 homes could be created approval. in early phases of the scheme, with Leeds-based developers St James a potential for a further 500 later in “We think it’s fantastic news for Securities want to invest around the life of the development. the city. We are working with the £200 million in transforming the local authority and with the D2N2 rundown Becketwell area, which Officers said the proposal would Local Enterprise Partnership. We represents around three per cent drive much-needed footfall in have great momentum. The vision of the city centre and includes the the area and stimulate consumer is there. The planning is now there. site of the former Debenhams store spending; the new square would Now we have to deliver.” and the long-derelict Duckworth enhance public open space Square shopping centre. provision and the creation of a new The company hopes to be able residential quarter would provide to announce its funders for phase They propose to create hundreds “a new identity to this blighted part one in the next few weeks, start of homes, offices, restaurants and of the city centre”. demolition of the former United cafes around a new public square Reformed Church on the site – and estimate that between 2,000 Land assembly and demolition by the autumn and commence and 2,700 jobs could be created is crucial to the plan. Derby City construction early next year. by the project. Council has been working closely with St James Securities, having Mr Morris said discussions were also The site could also, potentially, selected them as preferred continuing to see whether a new be home to a new performance partners, and the D2N2 LEP has performance venue – to replace venue for the city. provided funding. the city’s fire-damaged Assembly Rooms – could also be a part of the The city council’s planning control Work to knock down the former overall scheme for the Becketwell committee has now given the Debenhams building is already site. whole development outline under way and detailed plans for permission and granted full the first phase of development “We have appointed IPW, who approval for the square. will be submitted, probably, were behind Leeds Arena and Hull in late spring. They will include Arena, to work up proposals. This is A report by council officers, an 11 storey-high block of 224 not just where the building would sit considered by the committee, apartments. but how it would operate and work stated: “There is a clear for a mix of uses. and compelling need to St James Securities has comprehensively regenerate successfully delivered a number of “We have asked them to engage Becketwell and the scheme has regeneration schemes elsewhere with operators to get a good feel the potential to secure a multitude in the country. These include St for interest.” of benefits. Paul’s Place, in Sheffield, and Rounds Foundry, in Leeds – the Once IPW have completed their “They include the regeneration of a latter winning a Royal Institution investigations, further discussions will long-term derelict site that currently of Chartered Surveyors’ award for take place with the city council.

01/02/03. RENDERINGS OF THE DEVELOPMENT 04. AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE EYESORE SITE IN 05/06. THE CURRENT STATE OF THE BECKETWELL PLANNED FOR THE BECKETWELL SITE. DERBY CITY CENTRE. SITE IN DERBY CITY CENTRE. THE BECKETWELL REDEVELOPMENT

48 SPRING 2020 49 Thriving, sustainable city centres are necessary to support successful local economies and to foster a sense of pride and place.

The Derby City Centre masterplan aims Transforming to help create:

• A city of choice - with attractive destinations such as the £17m Museum of Making; • A living city - with a range of residential accommodation and the facilities to support successful city living; the city centre • A business city - with a resilient and diversified local economy and a support system to help companies launch and grow; • A connected city - where local, regional and 10 national mobility is enabled in an effective and sustainable way. 2 7 3 8 Our graphic shows key schemes which 3 4 11 are helping to transform the city centre. 5 6 9 12 1 2 13 14 1 11 8 3 15 5 7 16 17 10 4 18 1 9 2 19 15 20 22 23 6 21 PROJECTS COMPLETED ON SITE

1. HERITAGE GATE: £10M 1. BECKETWELL 2. ROMAN HOUSE: £6.5M 2. GUILDHALL / MARKET HALL 3. FRIAR GATE SQUARE PH2: £20M 3. MUSEUM OF MAKING 4. FRIAR GATE SQUARE PH1: £20M 4. NIGHTINGALE QUARTER 5. FRIAR GATE STUDIOS: £15M 5. CASTLEWARD PH2 6. WILLOW ROW: £1M 7. WEAVERS POINT: £10M 8. JOSEPH WRIGHT CENTRE: £20M IMMEDIATE PIPELINE 24 12 9. THE CROFT: £23M 10. KINGS CRESCENT: £25M 1. FRIAR GATE GOODS YARD 11. ST HELENS HOUSE: £1.3M 2. AGARD STREET – STUDENT 12. JURYS INN: £25M ACCOMMODATION 13. CATHEDRAL ROAD: £20.3M 3. AGARD STREET – STUDENT 14. CATHEDRAL QUARTER HOTEL: £3.8M ACCOMMODATION 15. SADLER BRIDGE STUDIOS: £3.2M 4. EASY HOTEL 13 16. PREMIER INN: £10M 5. MIDDLETON HOUSE 25 17. RIVERSIDE APARTMENTS: £10M 6. AUDLEY CENTRE 4 18. RIVERSIDE CHAMBERS: £2.3M 7. ASSEMBLY ROOMS 19. QUAD: £11M 8. CATHEDRAL GREEN – 37,000 SQ FT 5 20. COUNCIL HOUSE: £38M GRADE A OFFICE SPACE 21. RIVERLIGHTS: £50M 9. DERBY WATERSIDE – 13-STOREY 22. SHOT TOWER: £1M APARTMENT BUILDING 23. ST PETERS HOUSE: £10M 10. THE LANDMARK – 17-STOREY BUILD-TO 14 24. INTU DERBY: £395.5M RENT LUXURY APARTMENTS 25. CASTLEWARD PH1: £20M 11. MANSFIELD ROAD – LUXURY 26. DERBY STATION REMODELLING: £235M APARTMENTS WITH ROOFTOP GARDEN 27. THE ROUNDHOUSE: £48M 12. COPELAND STREET – 163 RESIDENTIAL 26 UNITS 13. CASTLEWARD BOULEVARD – 178 27 RESIDENTIAL UNITS 14. CITY GATEWAY HOTEL COMPLEX 15. RIVERSIDE HERITAGE PARK

50 SPRING 2020 51 300 YEARS OF DERBY’S ROLE AS A GLOBAL LEADER IN INNOVATION ARE TO BE CELEBRATED AS PART OF A £17 MILLION TRANSFORMATION OF THE SITE OF THE WORLD’S FIRST FACTORY

It’s the kind of complex This meant strengthening structures It seems obvious now that a city engineering solution that to cope with not only the seven- that has led the world in innovation tonne weight of the engine but since the industrial revolution should Derby has been coming also the seven tonnes of truck and have a museum of making to up with for hundreds of trailer that were delivering it onto celebrate this vital part of its DNA. years. site. But in 2011, when the industrial How do you install It also meant constructing a rig museum that had occupied a seven-tonne Rolls- that allowed the Trent 1000 to the site was mothballed by a be winched into place, with the financially-challenged city council, Royce aero engine at a capacity for it to be further hoisted the future was anything but UNESCO World Heritage up and down as construction obvious. site so that it can hang continued. above the heads of It was at that stage that Hannah thousands of visitors? The engine will be a stunning joined the project, for what she feature of an impressive new Civic believed, at the time, would be It was the puzzle that faced the Hall that has been sympathetically a six-month commission. Nine team constructing Derby’s exciting grafted on to the side of the years later, she recalls how the city new Museum of Making. existing building – with giant council, as owners of the building glass panels now enclosing the and operators of the previous The Trent 1000 engine will be a star courtyard that existed between industrial museum, had decided attraction when the new museum, the Silk Mill and the neighbouring it needed a new approach after being created at a cost of £17 power sub-station. being knocked back with an million at the site of the world’s first application for lottery funding. factory, Derby Silk Mill, opens its This itself proved another doors in September. engineering dilemma, with a need The building was closed and a to construct something that would newly-established Derby Museums But the engine is heavy, extremely link the two structures but also allow Trust began a huge programme valuable and awkward to Western Power to have access to of engagement to decide what manoeuvre and the Silk Milk is a the side of its facility. should be done with the site. listed, protected, precious part of Hundreds of people were given the city’s industrial heritage. The scheme has, in fact, involved an opportunity to contribute their nine years of head-scratching views. And from that work emerged So, how do you bring the two for Director of Projects and the plan for the Museum of Making successfully together? Programmes Hannah Fox and her at Derby Silk Mill. team – not only to overcome the The answer is to install the engine construction challenges but also, “The idea came from being open and then build everything else fundamentally, to decide what the to it being anything,” explains around it. new museum should actually be. Hannah.

52 SPRING 2020 53 “That’s what has been really 1 interesting – the support that the city has given it. From the funders, to the sponsors, to the partners. They have all backed this design- thinking approach to explore what it could be, with people at its heart, rather than impose a concept to it.

“That’s very radical in terms of how museums and civic spaces are developed. How do you allow a space to emerge from listening to your audiences?

“I think that speaks to Derby as a city. That’s why this building existed in the first place – because of the conditions that were created and existed allowing people to come in and say, ‘Let’s not just do manufacturing at this level, let’s take it to the next level’.

“That’s happened repeatedly every century since then – through The Enlightenment, with the arrival 2 3 of the railways, with Rolls Royce and the digital and creative innovation with Core Design and Lara Croft, through to today’s story of Derby as a city of innovation.”

This radical approach to developing the new museum DIRECTOR OF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES, HANNAH FOX. identified three key themes: that it should be inspired by the makers of the past, made by the “The third part, thinking about taken place is stunning, with makers of today and empower the science, technology, engineering, historic features lovingly restored makers of the future. Visitors will be arts and maths, is about supporting and new, innovative additions, able to see a collection of 50,000 people to be the innovators, such as a glass-fronted viewing objects that tells how innovation makers and creators of the future. platform, from where the River helped to shape Derby and how We need our young people to Derwent, as it winds its way Derby used innovation to help come through and have the through the city centre, can be shape the world. aspirations and skills necessary to enjoyed. meet the challenges of the future,” “We are inspired by the makers Hannah adds. Visitors will arrive through the 4 of the past to celebrate and original grade 1-listed Bakewell understand better Derby and its The prospect of viewing the UK’s gates, currently under restoration, place in the world, through the first Museum of Making, on the site and make their way through a collections and narratives that we of the world’s first factory, in the landscaped courtyard interpreting have together as citizens of this Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage the watercourse which powered place, and tell those stories of that Site, is likely to have national and the first factory. 300-year continued position of international appeal. But the leading the world,” says Hannah. museums trust is particularly keen And then there will be the stunning that it attracts local people on a new Civic Hall – a double height “The second principle is about regular, repeat basis – to view the glass atrium, with a feature developing it with the people of collections, take part in workshops staircase and, of course, that the city and region. Thousands on making, to use its new café or to Rolls-Royce Trent 1000. of people have been involved in simply enjoy the space. shaping what this concept will be The engine itself is a thing of and active citizenship is embedded There will also be accommodation industrial beauty – donated by in this project through and through. from where fledgling businesses Rolls-Royce and flown back from can work and teaching areas to the States for installation. “The actual making of the help schools and colleges in their building is being done with delivery of STEAM subjects. It was used to power the Boeing people’s involvement on the site. 787 Dreamliner. Its fan, at the front For example, we have five brick- But what will visitors actually see? of the engine, measures more than cleaning volunteers who have nine feet across and sucks in more cleaned 11,000 bricks that have Well, firstly, there will be the building than a tonne of air every second gone back into the building.” itself – which is being opened up at take-off. The blade tip travels at fully to the public for the first time. more than 900mph – faster than the In total, more than 1,000 volunteers speed of sound – and, when flying, 01. THE MUSEUM OF MAKING GATEWAY. 03. CIVIC HALL. have worked on the project Although the construction the temperature inside the hottest thus far, contributing more than crews are still hard at work, the parts of the engine can be almost 02. ASSEMBLY HALLS. 04. THROWING ROOM. £750,000 in time. transformation that has already half as hot as the sun.

54 SPRING 2020 55 History of the Silk Mill

Derby Silk Mill is the collective name for a number of interlinked listed factory buildings and is built on the foundations of the first factory in the world.

The original factory was commissioned by the Lombe brothers in about 1719, after they conducted industrial espionage in Italy, and was completed by local engineer George Sorocold in 1721/22.

The mill was designed to make silk thread using the new idea of the factory system and utilised a large, powerful waterwheel to drive all of the machinery, which was worked by an organised group of employees.

The mill was an immediate ‘wonder’ and drew visitors that included Daniel Defoe and Benjamin Franklin. The manufacturing features of the ENGINE INSTALL AT THE MUSEUM OF MAKING. mill provided a prototype for Richard Arkwright’s cotton mill at Cromford and for subsequent iterations of the factory system It will be joined by another historic “It’s almost like the end of an It will, of course, also help ensure worldwide. Rolls-Royce engine - the Eagle, Indiana Jones movie, when they the long-term future of the Silk Mill the first model produced by the are putting that box back on the building itself. The original mill buildings were company. shelf. It’s like, ‘What’s in there?’ damaged, repaired and altered We are not dictating how people But what will success look like to over time. They show 300 years Inside the main building will experience that,” Hannah says. the woman who thought she was of industrial enterprise in the be exciting features such as coming to work on the project Derwent Valley, acknowledged the Institute of STEAM, inspired The site is a hive of activity as work for six months but has ended up in its status as a World Heritage by the scientist, inventor and continues to get everything ready leading it for the past nine years? Site. botanist Erasmus Darwin, one of for opening on September 19. the most important figures in The “There are so many different ways Derby Silk Mill fell on hard times Enlightenment, and the Midland But Hannah is already confident that I would think of that. It will be in the mid-20th century and Railway Study Centre – including that the project will deliver a great that people who have contributed was in various hands until it was the model railway that was much- return for the £17 million investment, to it recognise and see their part-converted to an industrial loved by visitors to the old industrial funded with £9.4 million from the contribution and what we have museum in 1974 by Derby City museum. National Lottery Heritage Fund, created together and feel that Council, which later purchased £3.7 million from the D2N2 Local connection with the thing we have it. The upper floors remained But this is just scratching the Enterprise Partnership, £2.5 million made,” Hannah says. unused. surface. from Arts Council England, £500,000 from Derby City Council and the “It will be that people who come Following an unsuccessful “We got silverware that was in rest from trusts, foundations and in and experience and take part lottery bid in 2008, the museum the First Class carriages on the voluntary contributions. in the things that we do have declined and, in 2011, the Midland Railway and the smallest looked at museums differently, as council mothballed Derby Silk Mill engine in the world, that went to The estimated outputs are places they can learn with their as an industrial museum to free the Chicago World Fair and runs impressive, with the project set to: families and with each other but the new Derby Museums Trust on puffs of air. There are beautiful also as places of participation and to devise a long-term solution works of art, engineering drawings, • Create 141 jobs, 24 of them contribution – every day, every for the iconic building, through Qualcast lawnmowers, looms, directly linked to the museum; week,” she says. partnership-building, community ceramics and pieces of silk that • Add £4.24 million a year to involvement and fundraising. were produced in the mill,” reveals Derby’s economy; And how does the museums trust Hannah. follow such a brilliant and important • Support 20 businesses, through In November 2013, the ground project? New Joseph Wright managed workspace units at floor was reopened to pilot One of the most innovative features attraction anyone? the site; the Re:Make participation of the museum is its intention to • Engage 140,000 visitors a year; programme, aimed at ‘immerse’ visitors in its collections. developing citizen curators to Whilst most museums only display • Have 8,000 schoolchildren write the next chapter in the a fraction of their exhibits, the participating in programmes building’s story. Museum of Making is aiming for 100 and 25,000 people engaging per cent, with open racking systems in informal learning activities THE ICONIC SILK MILL EXTERIOR. allowing unparalleled access. annually.

56 SPRING 2020 57 1 DERBY AND 300 YEARS OF INNOVATION

2 3 1690 – John Flamsteed makes the 1826 – Silk Mill is damaged 1946 – Mercian cycles was first recorded sighting of Uranus. by fire. established in Derby. Previously, he had accurately theorized that comets orbit the 1844 – Midland Railway Company 1974 – Derby City Council opens Earth like planets. established in Derby. Derby Silk Mill as Derby Industrial Museum, with collections over two 1692 – George Sorocold designs 1842-48 – The Britannia iron floors. and installs the country’s first foundry in Derby produces 400 pumped domestic water supply bridges for the London, Brighton 1975 – The Silk 700S motorbike outside of London. and South Coast Railway. was launched in Derby.

1704 – Thomas Cotchett builds an 1850 – Sir Joseph Paxton, 1996 – Derby-based Core Design unsuccessful first silk mill on the director of the Midland publish the first Lara Croft Tomb Derwent, later incorporated into Railway and Head Gardener at Raider game. the Lombes’ Silk Mill. Chatsworth, sketches idea for Crystal Palace. 1999 – Derby City Council 1718 – Thomas Lombe secures purchases Derby Silk Mill. a patent for “a new invention 1879 – Derby free library and of three sorts of engines never museum opened. 2001 – Derwent Valley Mills is before made or used in Great included by UNESCO on the World Britain, one to wind the finest raw 1908 – Rolls-Royce establishes Heritage List. 4 5 silk, another to spin, and the other factory in Derby. to twist the finest Italian raw silk 2011 – Derby Industrial Museum into organzine in great perfection, 1910 – The Silk Mill Italian Works is mothballed and a period of which was never before done in burns down but is rebuilt within experimental programming this country.” a year. is developed and delivered to engage audiences as co- 1721 – Silk Mill build completed 1914-15 – Rolls-Royce design, test producers in the future of the by George Sorocold, the first non- and start producing the Eagle building. military man to be regarded as Engine as their first aero-engine an ‘engineer’ model. 2012 – Derby Museums Trust is formed with the support of Derby 1766-67 – Joseph Wright paints 1916 – British Celenese City Council – one of the key ‘A Philosopher Lecturing on the established in Derby. objectives is the redevelopment Orrery’, capturing for the first time of Derby Silk Mill. the people of Derby’s involvement 1919 – Alcock and Brown make and excitement about new ways the first transatlantic flight in the 2013 – Re:Make co-production about thinking about the world Vickers Vimy plane, powered by project begins in the ground floor and understanding it. an Eagle Engine made in Derby of Derby Silk Mill. and currently in Derby Museums. 1771 – Benjamin Franklin visits the 2020 – Opening date for the Silk Mill; Richard Arkwright builds 1920 – the first Qualcast mowers Museum of Making at Derby his cotton mill in Cromford. produced by Derwent Foundry in Silk Mill. 01. THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING. 03. HANNAH FOX. 05 THE VIEW TO THE TOP OF THE MUSEUM Derby. TOWER. 1775 – A Royal warrant is granted, 02. THE VAST EXTENSION. 04. THE RESTORED ROOF. allowing Derby Porcelain to use 1936 – Rolls-Royce Merlin Engines the term Crown Derby. went into major production.

58 SPRING 2020 59 THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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InnovateInnovate Bondholder Bondholder Advert Advert 1.indd 1.indd 2 2 07/02/202007/02/2020 14:13 14:13 Innovate Bondholder Advert 1.indd 3 07/02/2020 14:13 Isaac Smith surveyed the fields of Melbourne and knew this would be a good place to begin his market gardening business. The soil was fertile and there were plenty of customers for his produce in the towns and cities close by. Having worked in service at nearby Bleak House and having married one of the maids there, Isaac believed the land he was purchasing off Cockshut Lane would create a good living for himself, his wife and their five sons. It was 1912.

One hundred and eight years later Sam, 27, joined dad David and growth from Isaac’s days. Sam Smith looks out over those mum Sandra full-time in the Mum Sandra, who has same Melbourne fields. business after working for training researched the family history, provider 3AAA and IT company helpfully chips in to complete He is the seventh generation of the Node4 and is now helping his the picture. Smith family to work in the business parents position the company – although it’s a very different for an exciting future. Her detective work revealed that operation now to the one dear Isaac had relocated to Melbourne old Isaac established. Sam is His enthusiasm for the challenge is from Yorkshire in 1860. Although commercial director of Highfield infectious as we meet at the former he entered into service, Melbourne Drinks, a brand which is, quite farm turned high-tech bottling and was already a market town and literally, tapping into the potential canning plant in the beautiful south flourishing agricultural centre, under the site his ancestor bought Derbyshire countryside. supplying vegetables into Derby by bottling water from a borehole and Nottingham. At its peak, there the market gardeners sank to David, the company’s managing were more than 50 independent irrigate their crops. director, is busy in meetings, while family market gardening businesses Sandra, the office manager, rattles in the town – there are now only “Being in this business and on this away on her PC keyboard, three left – and this was where site means an awful lot to me – answers phone calls and deals Isaac saw his family’s future. probably even more than with staff queries. I thought it would as I started to The Smiths still have the bill pay attention to it and read up on Although we are a little off the of purchase for the land Isaac the family history. I now understand beaten track, the yard is full of acquired. Isaac’s children were what it means,” Sam says. vehicles, with a group of business all market gardeners and the associates visiting the plant business continued through Isaac’s “Being the seventh generation to discuss a new venture. son Harry, Harry’s son Wilfried does bring its own pressures, and Wilfried’s son Joe. Joe was though. There were six guys before The kettle is switched on and, while eventually joined by his own sons, me who didn’t mess it up - it boils, David begins to explain the Patrick and current MD David, so I don’t want to.” Highfield Drinks Group story and its in 1975.

1 2 3 HOW SPRING WATER FROM 220 FEET BELOW THE DERBYSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE IS HELPING A FAMILY BUSINESS TAP INTO EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – AFTER SEVEN GENERATIONS.

01. CROPS GROWING ON THE HIGHFIELD FARM 02. THE J.K. SMITH AND SONS TRUCK FROM 03. STILL AND SPARKLING WATER PRODUCED SITE WHEN IT WAS BEING USED AS A MARKET THE TIME THAT THE BUSINESS OPERATED AS A WHEN HIGHFIELD WAS KNOWN AS THE GARDEN BUSINESS. MARKET GARDEN. NATIONAL FOREST SPRING WATER COMPANY.

62 SPRING 2020 63 1

LINE SUPERVISOR AVTAR SINGH CHATS WITH HIGHFIELD COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR SAM SMITH.

With the business operating under investment and carried with it a down and is a lot more pure,” 2 3 the name JK Smith and Sons, degree of risk. says Sam. it continued to produce vegetables until 1995, when, in the face “They had sunk the borehole The family may have developed of the supermarket boom and in about 1975 as a more cost- a new product but it then needed changed buying habits, the market effective way of irrigating the to establish a market. gardening sector came under vegetables,” Sam recalls. severe pressure. Sandra picks up the story. “It had sat there for about 20 years Patrick started a business called until dad decided to get it tested “We started off thinking local. Fergieland, selling tractor parts, and it turned out to be pure spring The Baytree restaurant in and, while crops such as wheat water. At that point everything was Melbourne was our first customer. and potatoes continued to be back on. We were targeting small businesses grown on the land, as well as trees as a local supplier.” to form part of The National Forest, “It was a big gamble for the family David was forced to find work but dad’s attitude was that he Other restaurants and bars elsewhere to supplement the wanted to be back working on this followed, along with a number of family income. land in the family business. It was a customers in the education sector, very appealing gamble - and one including Loughborough University However, that all changed in 2003 that has paid off.” and the University of Nottingham. after David decided to have tests carried out on the borehole that David and Sandra had to invest The family’s bottled water even had been used to irrigate the in equipment to pipe water from made it on to the tables and family’s fields and wash the crops. the borehole and to create a shelves of Chatsworth House. new bottling plant from some of Growth was rapid and their There, 220 feet below the their former agricultural buildings, product range increased to Melbourne earth, the investigations converted to meet exacting health include flavoured waters – with discovered pure spring water and safety requirements. sugar-free, low-calorie offerings that had been naturally filtered that were perfect for schools and through Derbyshire limestone over Although the water is fit for the health-conscious consumer. thousands of years. David quit his consumption at source, it goes outside job and he and Sandra through three different filtration The Smiths were well and truly launched The National Forest stages before it leaves the Highfield back in business. Spring Water Company – the name plant, ensuring the very highest a nod to the wildlife habitat that quality – something which is verified Fast-forward to 2019 and, by then, had started to form among trees with daily internal checks and Sam was now part of the operation planted on the family’s land in external weekly tests. full-time and focussed 2000. on identifying new opportunities. 01. QUALITY CONTROL AS THE BOTTLES OF 02. THE HIGH TECH EQUIPMENT BROUGHT IN 03. BOTTLES OF SPRING WATER COME “You can class water as spring LOCAL SPRING WATER ARE PROCESSED. FOR THE BOTTLING PROCESS. OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE. It was an exciting new beginning water from 16 feet underground “When I was at university, but one that called for significant but ours is drawn from 220 feet I would spend summers working in

64 SPRING 2020 65 The recipes were developed with “A lot of our customers are really external help – although the family getting behind it. Bespoke Inns gets involved with the taste-testing! have made our gin their gin of the “You either have a week. It’s a really local gin to their strong brand story or “We have an idea of where pubs.” we want to go and the space to you need to create move into but. these guys have Much of the company’s business your own.” labs developing new flavours and is B2B but members of the public it’s great to engage with them can purchase their waters online about what we can develop,” says through Amazon and the gins The family has been told there Sam. via the Highfield Premium Gins is an almost endless supply of dedicated website. spring water under the site and “They produce samples and we the Environment Agency has review them. It’s a fun process - Gin-buyers can even arrange to pinpointed where further boreholes The Highfield Drinks although it can also be slow and collect their bottles from Highfield – could be sunk in future, if required. Group products: frustrating. We get our staff, families and see the business at close hand. It may be just as well as the UK and friends to help in the testing market for bottled water continues HIGHFIELD BOTTLED SPRING and we tweak things until they are That’s what we do next, as Sam to rise. WATER – drawn from the just right.” proudly guides us around the site original borehole, it is fit and explains more about the future According to Zenith Global’s 2019 for human consumption The company did consider bringing vision. Water Drinks Report, consumption at source, having been the whole gin production process grew by 7% in the previous year to naturally filtered through in-house but decided, as they had Rain is falling and a strong wind more than 4.2 million litres – worth limestone and other minerals with their initial spring water offer, to is blowing across the fields at an estimated £3.3bn – and Zenith for thousands of years. start small and local. Highfield Farm but, protected from Global predicts the sector will THE RANGE OF FLAVOURED SPRING WATER. the elements, inside the bottling continue to increase at between It was particularly fitting that the plant is a hive of activity. Forklift 3% and 5% until 2023. Baytree – who were the company’s drivers manoeuvre stacks of pallets the production facility or as a van “This was Highfield Farm. There first customers for spring water – and the company’s 11 workers fill The family has plans to capitalise driver. I think it put me in a good was a brand story hitting me in also became its first for gin. a seemingly endless line of bottles further on this growth, adding to position to develop the business,” the face,” says Sam. ready for shipment – all of this just a its product offering over the next he says. And the reaction to the new range matter of yards from the borehole 12 months. Among the ideas is a “A lot of companies struggle has exceeded all expectations. where the water is sourced. range of adult soft drinks. “I’ve met the customers, the with that. You either have a strong dinner ladies or the restaurant brand story or you need to create owners. I have seen all parts of the your own. We had a brand story business – the good parts and the that had not really been tapped challenges. I have a clear vision of into. We had known the story as a where we need to go. Hopefully family but we wanted to tell the we are doing it. I still wake up in the world.” middle of the night and worry but I guess we all do.” Having settled on the new name, it was time to increase the FLAVOURED SPRING WATER He also thinks his roles at 3AAA and company’s profile. – a range of low-calorie and Node 4 were a good grounding. sugar-free drinks, with subtle “We had a look at ourselves in the fruit flavours. These include “With those roles, I learned a lot, mirror and faced some facts. A lot apple and blackberry, working with a lot of Derbyshire of people just did not know that we forest fruit, strawberry and businesses. were here. We needed to get our elderflower and pear. As an account manager at name out and really go for it,” says Node 4 you had to do your own Sam. HIGHFIELD PREMIUM margins. That sort of thing was GINS – these combine the positive for me going into a small Highfield premium gins launched distinctive taste of juniper business where margins are tight. in May last year – the first new berries, the finest You have to get your hands dirty products from the company since botanicals and a twist of everywhere.” 2012. citrus. The range comprises of Highfield Melbourne gin, High on Sam’s to-do list was The range is produced under rhubarb gin, strawberry gin the launch of new products and a partnership arrangement but, and bramble gin. a re-brand for the business. of course, the main ingredient is drawn from underground in Gin appeared a good addition Melbourne. to the range – and that thinking cemented the need for a new Customers can choose from company name. Highfield Melbourne Gin – “distilled with a fusion of wild botanicals for a “We could not have called it smooth and sophisticated flavour” The National Forest Spring Water – or savour rhubarb, strawberry and Company Gin,” says Sam. bramble variations.

Instead, they turned to something “We wanted to do something close to home; something that different for the company but also recognised the rich family legacy something everyone was getting of the business and its connection into. We thought this was a good to its Melbourne site – Highfield way to start because the gin craze Drinks Group. is, well, crazy,” explains Sam. SAM SMITH OUTSIDE THE HIGHFIELD BOTTLING PLANT.

66 SPRING 2020 67 “The prime ingredient for all this is This exciting new initiative has “We get the water out here and water, so why would we not do it,” again involved partnering with bottle it just a few yards away.” Sam asks. external experts and some of those are on site as we continue our tour. Another new development is an “A lot more adults are not office drop service that the firm has drinking alcohol. We’re not just “We brought in partners to develop introduced – delivering supplies focussed on taste but on health the canning offer. They had the of water direct to companies in as well. Our flavoured waters are experience of canning water, Derby. “He would definitely be happy that low-calorie, sugar free. We want which is more difficult than you the family is still living here and operating the business from here. to now develop a range of adult think,” Sam explains. “People are looking more at staff soft drinks – cola, bitter lemon, welfare. Cans of our Derbyshire dandelion and burdock, as a To the layman, the idea of piping spring water on people’s desks can healthy adult soft drink. It’s how water into a can appears pretty help staff stay hydrated,” says Sam. we can tap into that market and straightforward. But Sam points offer something quite different.” out that the aluminium cans are As well as its own products, flimsy and, while filling them with Highfield also produces branded The only apparent threat to a carbonated drink is relatively spring water for customers and the continued success of the simple, those containing still offers contract bottling for other bottled water market is caused products could collapse. To solve suppliers. by consumer concern over the this, the process uses nitrogen. widespread use of plastic bottles. “We are in talks with a company in “It’s a very safe process. It takes the US who want us to be the UK But Highfield are already ahead the space in the can that oxygen manufacturing site for their spring of the game here. would have occupied.” water,” Sam reveals.

“We have the plastic problem The canning line is now up and The family acknowledges the major that is well documented. We have running and within a few weeks role that their team are playing in looked at ways in which we can Highfield will be producing its the success of the business. change our current product. Our own tinned water products. It’s a plastic bottles are now made of move Sam believes will have others “We’re really lucky with staff 25% recycled materials. Labels and in the sector taking note – as the members. We have very low caps are 100% recycled,” Sam says. aluminium can be recycled and turnover. They have been with back as packaging on shelves the business a long time. They The company also uses fully- within 60 days. care about the product and the recyclable glass bottles. But it is business,” Sam says. now going even further – after “Some of our customers are investing in a new line which will calling us up and telling us So, what do the coming months allow it to put its water into cans. that they don’t want to order hold in store for a business which is, plastic anymore. Now we have clearly, brimming with energy and “We will be the only water- our own cans,” Sam says, ideas? dedicated line that we know of. pointing out that the company’s Nothing but our water will be going carbon footprint is already “Our mission statement is to through that,” Sam adds. comparatively low. develop new products and have a product in every bar, restaurant, outlet or shop in Derby. It will then shift to the rest of the East Midlands and then the Midlands. National would be a dream.

“It’s really about knocking on doors and showing our products, which we are really proud of. We want to keep growing and listening to the customer.”

As we walk across the car park, Sam gazes across the fields where previous generations of his family toiled to grow their crops. What does he think they, and, Isaac, the man who started it all, would think of the business today?

“Even though it’s a different market, we are still using the same land and resources available to us to create an income for the family.

“I hope Isaac would like it. My middle name is Isaac, so I like to think things have come full circle.

“He would definitely be happy that the family is still living here and operating the business from here.” HIGHFIELD COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR SAM SMITH THE NEW HIGHFIELD CANNED WATER DRINKS. SHOWS OFF THE COMPANY’S GIN AND SPRING WATER.

68 SPRING 2020 69 TWENTY ONE YEARS AGO MIKE DIXON SOLD HIS DERBY SOFTWARE COMPANY AND MOVED TO THE FLORIDA COAST. NOW HE’S BACK – BRINGING AN EXERCISE CONCEPT THAT HAS TAKEN THE U.S. BY STORM. HE TELLS INNOVATE WHY DERBY AND ORANGTHEORY ARE…

MIKE & CLAIRE DIXON OF ORANGETHEORY.

Mike Dixon hated launched in October in the former illuminates the activity of the group. Maplins store on the Wyvern Retail working out. He had Park and would have been open “I’m 56 and used to play rugby played sport all his earlier but for hold-ups with the and have done sport all my life. life but, having reached building caused by the Maplins I’m pretty fit genetically but I hate his fifties and suffering administration. working out. I’ve got arthritis in my with arthritis in his knee. I’ve got no motivation and Mike hopes to launch four more need pushing. But when I get in knee, he struggled with studios in 2020 and a minimum the studio, after a few minutes I’ve the motivation to take of 40 over the next decade. That forgotten all that,” says Mike, as he an exercise class or number could even rise to around explains what persuaded him the THEjoin a gym. 70. As we talk he is waiting for news Orangetheory model was the right on two possible new premises. vehicle not only for him to get fit Then his wife, Claire, and eldest but also to take on as a business daughter, Charlotte, persuaded Mike’s enthusiasm for the project is venture. him to go with them to a studio run obvious as we sit in the reception by Orangetheory Fitness near their area of the Derby studio. It was Orangetheory’s scientific and home in Florida. individually-focussed approach Although he is jetting back and to exercise that grabbed Mike’s The impact was life-changing. Not forth across the Atlantic, he greets imagination. only did Mike catch the workout clients by name and, clearly, bug, albeit, he admits, not instantly, has invested both financially The company was established but he devised a plan to open and emotionally into making this in 2010 in the US by pilates dozens of Orangetheory studios in venture a success. teacher Ellen Latham, who the UK – including in his old home noticed her clients were also PERFECT city of Derby. From the outside, Orangetheory’s working out with personal trainers Derby building is fairly unassuming, because they wanted to burn He, Claire, Charlotte and younger nestling alongside retail neighbours fat that pilates alone could not daughter Emily are now splitting such as Next and Halfords. Inside achieve. their time between the Sarasota is modern and minimalist, with a sunshine and Shirley in rural friendly welcome from staff dressed She developed a workout that Derbyshire while they pursue their in their black tracksuits, bearing the would “metabolically change the ambition. company brand. It’s a far cry from body”, based upon a series of the racks of electrical goods that 60-minute, high intensity interval To realise those aims, Mike and a greeted customers of the building’s training classes, which blend cardio group of business associates set previous occupier. and strength-building. up Wellcomm Health and Fitness – short for Wellness and Community On the wall, a giant screen is Ellen wanted to combine the FIT- and became a regional master tracking the heart rates and energy of a group with the personal franchisee for Orangetheory, giving calories being burned by those attention of an experienced them the opportunity to establish taking part in an exercise class – it’s coach and to ensure that each operations across the Midlands and a little after 10am and this is already participant had a personal plan the north of England. the third session of the day. The to achieve their aims. These are encouraging tones of the coach developed by considering ‘HUGS’ Their first studio, in Altrincham, are just about audible from behind - a person’s history, usage (of the opened a year ago. Derby a glass partition as an orange glow studio) and goals.

70 SPRING 2020 71 They – and the trainer – can then “community”. Class members measure their performance in cover a range of fitness abilities real time thanks to wearable and ages – the oldest member of technology, which monitors data, the Altrincham studio is 77. such as heart rate, and displays it on the big screens as they exercise. And staff members keep a watchful eye on those who, perhaps, Individuals are encouraged to despite their best intentions, fall by work to the optimum level in class the wayside – calling them for a so that they continue to burn fat chat if they have not attended for afterwards. This approach, known a while. as EPOC, or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, revs the Memberships cost £99 a month for metabolism for up to 36 hours after eight classes or £119 for unlimited a session. use and the Derby studio is offering free seven-day memberships Classes are based on five heart for those wanting to give the rate zones – ranging from very light programme a try. activity to all-out effort, with the objective that participants spend Orangetheory’s popularity has at least 12 minutes in the ‘Orange exploded in the States and is now 3 4 Zone’, where their heart rate is spreading across the globe. The elevated to between 84% and 91% brand is operating in 23 countries of their maximum. and runs around 1,500 sites.

Orangetheory clients can track Mike is confident it can be just as their fitness improvement through successful in the UK. an App on their phone or via emails that are sent to them after “We’d set up four or five studios each session. tomorrow if we could find the properties,” he says. “When you do not measure, you do not improve,” says founder Ellen. Sites similar to The Wyvern are top of Wellcomm’s wishlist – with Reports display indicators such as ease of access and good parking calories burned, average heart essential. rate, miles run, number of steps and Splat Points – a term to describe “We’re targeting key population a fat cell exploding but also areas. We had a site in Nottingham indicative of minutes spent in the but that fell through. We’re looking 5 ‘Orange Zone’. to the west of Birmingham, as far 6 down as Cambridge and Norwich Mike says men will typically burn and as far north as Newcastle. between 800 and 1,000 calories We’re also looking for another in during an hour-long class and the Manchester area,” Mike says. 1 women between 450 and 500 2 calories. Helping him achieve these “If you come here two or ambitious plans is a determined three times a week, you “If you come here two or three and energetic team. Wife Claire times a week, you get life-changing looks after the finances, Matt Adey get life-changing results.” results,” he says. leads on sales and Cat Jones on marketing. Coaches aren’t “pushy or shouty” but Orangetheory is about Orangetheory veterans Jason motivation - from the coaches, and Emily Zavasnik are bringing from other class members and from their experience of the US business 7 the individuals themselves, who to help Mike in the UK – Jason as start by making a commitment Director of Franchise Development when they book a class online or and Emily as Studio Development on their phone. Co-ordinator.

Mike believes the Orangetheory “They are the Orange in approach gives users a much Orangetheory. They make sure it better chance of achieving their runs properly. Emily was one of the fitness aims than joining an ordinary team who designed the original gym. workouts and they married after meeting at Orangetheory,” Mike “There are three main reasons why explains. fitness fails: you don’t have a plan, you are working out alone and By coincidence, the Zavasniks you’re left asking if it is fun,” he says. arrive at the studio as we continue our chat – and the energy level 01/02. COACHES SHOWCASE SOME 04. THE CROWD CHECKING OUT THE MODERN 06. SOME OF THE DIFFERENT PIECES OF KIT The Orangetheory team also works instantly increases as they high- OF THE FUN CLASSES. FACILITIES. DESIGNED FOR A TOUGH WORKOUT. hard to make sure new users do five colleagues and want to 03. CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF THE STUDIO. 05. FOCUSSED FACES ON THE ROWING 07. ROWS OF MACHINES WITH THE LIVE not feel intimidated and that they be brought up to date on how MACHINES. SCREENS ABOVE. are welcomed into the studio’s things are going. Their coaching

72 SPRING 2020 73 1 2

backgrounds are readily apparent to a level where it employed 150 As the class breaks up and people 01. COMPARE YOUR PROGRESS ON THE 02. SPECIALIST COACHES ENCOURAGE 03. CHECK YOUR PROGRESS USING and the team is buzzing. people before he sold up and begin to wander out, there are LIVE SCREENS. YOU THROUGH THE SESSIONS. THE MOBILE APPLICATION. moved the family to Florida. more greetings from Mike and Mike and Claire’s daughters enquiries about how the session has Charlotte, 22, and Emily, 20, also That was 21 years ago and, after gone. arrive. They are taking a keen spending so long in the Sarasota interest in the business. Charlotte sunshine, why, now, decide to It’s easy to be cynical about recently graduated from university spend half their time back in the businesses who say they want to WHAT IS ORANGETHEORY WHAT IS EPOC? classes are designed to produce with a marketing degree, while UK? create communities and to know FITNESS? 12 minutes or more in Zones 4 Emily is completing her studies in their members by name – but, at The physiological theory behind (orange) and 5 (red), combined, nutrition. “We really wanted to come back Orangetheory, it seems as though Orangetheory is a one-hour, the Orangetheory Fitness workout during the workout. and do something here. We were there are more priorities than just full-body workout, focussed on is known as “Excess Post-Exercise Wellcomm’s programme of studio empty-nesters. We saw something the P and L. training endurance, strength and Oxygen Consumption” or EPOC. WHAT ARE SPLAT POINTS? development will come with a big in the States that was going crazy power. It uses heart rate-based Each one-hour workout is designed financial commitment, with Mike and is very beneficial. This was Ask Mike what success in Derby interval training, which burns to produce 12 minutes or more Splat points indicate minutes spent estimating that the cost of getting something we could bring back looks like and he doesn’t talk about more calories post-workout than of intensities at 84% or higher in the orange and red zones. The the Derby site up and running over and make a difference. revenues or returns on investment. traditional exercise. of maximum heart rate. This aim is to tally at least 12 Splat alone was about £1 million. Instead he recounts an experience programme design produces a Points per class to achieve EPOC. "There’s a fantastic purpose in this from a class he took part in a few Members wear heart rate monitors workout “afterburn” effect, which is But health is a potentially lucrative – and I also get to work out,” jokes days before. and their real-time results are an increased metabolic rate for up sector, with the 2019 State of the UK Mike. displayed on large screens to 36 hours after the workout. This Fitness Industry report showing the “On the treadmill next to me, was a throughout the studio. Intensity is leads to higher calorie burn after, value of the market exceeding the The family is loving spending time young girl who was overweight. In based on their individual heart not just during, the workout. £5bn mark for the first time. back in Derbyshire, where Mike and the first period, she was just walking rate zones, making the workout Claire had lived for 15 years and but I noticed, in the second period, effective for all fitness levels. WHAT DO THE 5 ZONES MEAN, The study, compiled by The Leisure where they still have many friends. she started to run a bit. She got Certified coaches lead the workout AND WHY IS THE ORANGE ZONE Database Company, also revealed through two miles in 20 minutes – to prevent participants from over or SO IMPORTANT? that membership of health clubs And it was no coincidence that and she told me it was the first time under training. and gyms across the UK had hit a one of the company’s first studios she had run. That’s success to me,” Orangetheory Fitness is a five-zone, new high, at more than 10 million. should be located here. Mike, he says. WHAT EQUIPMENT IS USED AT heart-rate-based interval training however, feels that the concept ORANGETHEORY FITNESS? class that includes both cardio David Minton, director of the could be successful anywhere – And what is his message to the and strength training. During a report’s authors, says the UK “is with the programme appealing to city that, for at least 50 per cent of The workout room has a variety class, members focus on Zones enjoying a golden period of growth a cross-section of the public. the time, he’s once more calling of equipment, including treadmills 3 (challenging but doable), 4 and exciting development across home? (bikes and striders as alternatives), (uncomfortable) and 5 (all out/ the fitness sector.” He’s pleased with how the Derby WaterRowers and floor equipment, sprint effort). These zones are studio has performed since its “We’ve put a lot of money, energy including dumbbells, benches, individually calculated for each Mike, of course, is no stranger to opening and those who have and time into creating a facility suspension straps and medicine balls. Orangetheory Fitness member. The numbers, having run a successful joined up so far appear to have that can change people’s lives. 3 finance business in the States and given it their endorsement – 80 per Come and give it a try.” having built his Derby software cent of the memberships achieved company, CBL Technology, up have been via referral.

74 SPRING 2020 75 From the first factory to the guerilla economy "Reflecting today’s complex, fast moving, globally connected economy; innovation has become more diverse, more organic, mobile and difficult to pin down." JOHN FORKIN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MARKETING DERBY

Anyone who has visited Interestingly though, only Derby including the likes of US I then move my pitch into the where is the innovation to be found The Sunday Times and Financial and Derbyshire claims to be its UK founding father Benjamin Franklin 20th century, with Derby becoming in 2020? Times both recently covered the Marketing Derby capital. and the Robinson Crusoe author, one of the global homes to Derby companies such as offices at Riverside Daniel Defoe. research, development and The answer is not as simple as just Bulkhead (gaming), Cubo Chambers will have Last month, in one of our typical application in two emerging listing economic sectors. (office rental) and Urban Sisters seen our Showcase investor meetings, I was asked Of course, I always add that today technology revolutions; that of (property development) – all great Room. straight up: “John, I like your the building is part of a UNESCO aerospace and nuclear. Reflecting today’s complex, manifestations of the guerilla Capital for Innovation campaign, World Heritage Site. Believe me, fast moving, globally connected economy. Its walls are adorned with visuals but tell me, what is the basis of that this impresses. This in itself leads to some of economy; innovation has become and graphics that support our claim?” the facts and figures we use – more diverse, more organic, mobile In the guerilla economy, it doesn’t pitch – knitting the Derby story with My narrative quickly shifts from supporting evidence – to back and difficult to pin down. do to stand still for too long. future ambition – and this is where I love being asked this question being the home of the industrial up our claim. This always includes the inward investor journey usually as it allows me to quickly dive revolution in the 18th century, the fact that Derby has the highest I call it the ‘guerilla economy’. Many of our larger companies get starts. into our unique 300-year narrative to the genesis of the railways in average salaries of any city this and are increasingly redefining that backs it up so well, whilst the 19th. On this occasion, I can outside of London and, depending This new paradigm is bottom up, their purpose, whilst introducing At its heart, is a bold statement - UK also acting as a primer for the wave my hands in the opposite on the investor, moves on to the often rooted in small to medium flexibilities and smaller units. Capital for Innovation – a motif that investment discussion. There is direction, south towards the strength of the local economy companies, anchored around has been core to our investment something about being able to ‘NASA of its day’, the world-class (top 10 GVA city in the UK) and entrepreneurs and supported At the Marketing Derby Annual promotion campaign for some wave my hands in the general Derby Roundhouse. our skilled demographic (43,000 by talented teams. The guerilla Business Event we heard Toyota’s years. direction of the Derby Silk Mill - a engineers living in the travel to economy has evolved to cope MD describe a mobility company, mere few hundred yards north from The fact that the Silk Mill is being work area). better with the disruptions and as opposed to automotive. Rolls- We live in a time where innovation our office – and say that, 300 years transformed into a major visitor unpredictability of today’s world. Royce now describes itself as a is seen as desirable which is why it ago, Derby was the only place on attraction, the Museum of Making The pitch ends as we move into the leading industrial tech company. sits at the heart of government and the planet where you could come - opening this September - and challenges and opportunities of the Many of the articles in this inaugural company strategies. and see a new concept that was that the Roundhouse is now home 21st century. Innovate magazine focus on these Innovation in Derby today is alive about to change the world. to the Derby College Group (not players; from the Old Bell through and well. This city was there in Innovation is on trend and so, cities to mention being one of the most Yes, we have the 300-year track to Katapult – innovation being the 1721 to see its birth and remains and regions claim at least to be In 1721, the Lombe brothers interesting venues in the country) record; the invention of the factory, golden thread between a 16th so today, as declared on our its home and integrate it into their opened the world’s first factory, an perfectly reinforces the whole the growth of new hi-tech sectors century coaching inn and cutting- Showcase wall, the UK Capital ambitions. innovation that astonished visitors, innovation theme. in rail, aerospace and nuclear but, edge tech-companies. for Innovation.

76 SPRING 2020 77 NEWS

SUCCESSFUL HR IT’S OFFICIAL: BUSINESS BRINGS BUSINESSWOMAN IN NEW RECRUITS AND MUM KATIE’S A RISING STAR Loates HR has celebrated continued success by Marketing Derby has hiring two new staff and named its Rising Star increasing the days of JAMES STAFFORD, TRACEY Bondholder for 2020. The MOSLEY AND MATT EDWARDS. WARREN MANNING. one of its team. Last Katie Lavis, of Little Starts The HR and HR training Gift Cards, will receive Word WARREN TAKES consultancy, which TRAINING FIRM a free Bondholder moved to newly- membership for the year. KEY ROLE ON designed offices in Darley STRENGTHENS INNOVATION Abbey Mills last spring, SENIOR TEAM Just weeks after having increased turnover by her second baby, Katie The University of Derby 41%, to £244,000, in 2019 – EMA Training Ltd launched her company Evolution happens, you can’t stop it, has appointed Professor comfortably ahead of its has announced the to help people buy Warren Manning to target. appointment of James young children activities nor should you try. It applies equally to the newly-established Stafford as chief position of Provost - and experiences as gifts. our built environment and Derby is set for Innovation and Research. The company, headed operating officer and Professor Manning by Sarah Loates and Matt Edwards as sales Her gift cards can be some exciting times as the city centre joined the university in Kevin Marks, attracted director. used with more than January, 2018, as Pro 64 new clients during 1,500 classes across starts to evolve to accommodate the Vice-Chancellor and the year to add to the Both James and Matt 60 brands in areas requirements of future generations. Dean of the College 48 which called upon its will play leading roles, such as Derbyshire, of Engineering and services for the first time in working with local Nottinghamshire, Technology. Let’s embrace the inevitable change 2018. And it now boasts employers to support the Leicestershire, Greater a portfolio of several growth of the business and celebrate the city’s renaissance. In his new role, he will Manchester and Sheffield. provide leadership to hundred clients who call during 2020 and beyond. Katie plans to make the upon its HR and training further promote an service available for Stephen Salloway, consultancy services on a “We needed to innovation and research national use within the Managing Director of Salloway Property Consultants. culture aligned to the pay as you go basis. strengthen the leadership next year. She said: “I am university’s strategy. team to engage with beyond thrilled to receive Professor Manning said: Training consultant Annie local businesses on the Rising Star Award “The opportunity to take Litchfield and HR and their apprenticeship 2020. We are aiming to on the challenge of training administrator recruitment needs. I make the Little Starts Gift delivering excellence in Corynne Clarke have am delighted James innovation and research Card the go-to present for the University of Derby now joined the fast- and Matt have joined for parents-to-be, new is compelling. growing firm, while HR the business to support parents and the 0-5s consultant Lucy Sherwin us with this”, said CEO nationally and having “The Government has extended from two Tracey Mosley. access to the Marketing commitment to increase and a half to four days a Derby network will be research spending to 2.4 week. Richard Gerver, chair invaluable in helping us per cent of GDP by 2027, of the EMA Board, achieve this aim.” an additional £20bn, added: “I am thrilled is based on exploiting that we have been able great ideas born in universities and grown to secure two of the through businesses. This most experienced and is a driver for universities talented professionals to work much closer in the training sector. with businesses and It reinforces our organisations to deliver commitment to collaborative, applied excellence and to the research and knowledge widening of opportunity exchange.” CORYNNE CLARKE, LUCY for our learners.” SHERWIN AND ANNIE LITCHFIELD. KATIE LAVIS AND ABBIE BURNS. OFFICE MOVE rapid success and now studio in Munich, named studio space forms an employs a team of more Bulkhead Darkhorse, important aspect of our than 65 people at its and rebranded its Derby philosophy and Cardinal Leading video game Derby studio. It currently studio Bulkhead Phoenix. Square offered exactly developer Bulkhead develops titles for Steam, what we were looking for. Interactive has expanded Xbox One and Play Commenting on the its UK operation with a Station 4, including its move to Cardinal Square, “Over the past four years, move to a new office at main title, the Word War Bulkhead CEO Joe our team has grown Cardinal Square in Derby. II inspired first-person Brammer said: "Since from five students to a shooter Battalion 44. entering the games dynamic team of over The company, which industry, Bulkhead's ethos 65 people and we're was founded in 2015 by On the back of its has been to take care excited for the next five University of Derby success, the firm recently of our people. A high- phase for the company's graduates, has enjoyed opened a second quality, centrally located development.”

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