Living And Working In Derby

The vibrant and bustling city of Derby which is in south Derbyshire, sits on the banks of the River Derwent in the region of the East Midlands. It is classed as the most central city within the UK so anywhere in the country can be readily accessed, as well as it being the largest city in Derbyshire county. East Midlands Airport is the nearest to Derby and there is also an excellent rail network with an average train journey to the capital taking less than two hours.

It is interesting to note that the now fully modernised train station still retains the original clock feature. The train station was once headquarters to the Midland Railway with its locomotive and carriageworks being a major employer. Fast forward to now and Derby has recently been named as the new headquarters of the Great British Railways, promising to deliver high skilled jobs to the area.

Derby has a rich and varied history dating back from Roman times.By the time of the Industrial Revolution, Derby was an important centre for manufacturing which included silk and porcelain.   Iron foundries, paint manufacture and brewing were strong industries in addition to textiles.

During World War 2, Derby was also a key sector for the aircraft industry with several factories located here including the globally respected Rolls Royce, who remain in Derby and which produced the famous Merlin engines that were used for the Spitfire and Hurricane fighters.

Today, Derby remains as an established and productive city with a highly skilled workforce offering high quality employment opportunities. Key sectors include advanced manufacturing and engineering, education, administration, health and social care, science, research and technology and business and public service professionals. Within the county as a whole, strong sectors again include advanced manufacturing but others include logistics, minerals and aggregates, textiles, food and drink, creative and digital and of course, tourism. The area boasts a higher than average employment rate and welcomes around eight million visitors each year. Earlier in the year, Derby’s economy was predicted to become the fastest growing economy of anywhere in the East Midlands and this highly focused and dynamic city has contributed billions of pounds in economic output.

The diverse University of Derby has recently soared up a huge eleven places in the Guardian University Guide 2023 and is now ranked 48th out of 121 UK universities. It is a consistently popular university with students due to the fantastic facilities and excellent teaching.

Derby has much to offer and with so much to see and do, it would be impossible to list them all. Derby Cathedral, ~ The Cathedral of All Saints, founded in the tenth century, is situated in the city centre and is very community focused. It embraces all faiths and the cathedral has something that will interest everyone. It is a stunning building with a rich history and has many interesting stories to tell. For fine Georgian architecture, Pickford’s House is a must and Derby Museum and Art Gallery is home to a marvellous selection of collections. There are plenty of green spaces such as Markeaton Park and Locko Park for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Derby can offer markets, unique shops, culture and history in the Cathedral Quarter as well as all the regular high street names, top leisure and fantastic dining experiences within the city.

The outskirts of Derby has some breathtaking countryside with plenty of picturesque villages in the Derbyshire Dales with gorgeous views and amazing backdrops of green hills and meandering pathways. The inspiring Peak District National Park offers moors, dales, farmland, spectacular wildlife and unbeatable tranquillity.

Derby is a wise choice when deciding where to settle due to the good standard of living, fantastic employment prospects and wonderful surroundings in addition to the friendly community spirit that is widely apparent in the city.

Looking for a Career in Derby? We are hosting a careers fair at Pride Park on Wednesday 4th October, between the times of 10am-2pm. Ours event are completely free for jobseekers and are a great way to meet hiring companies around the city. Find out more here!