Retention and attraction of talent, exploring new supply chain opportunities and the role of apprenticeships in strengthening the workforce were among themes addressed by businesses, educators and students at the Derbyshire Makes: Advanced Manufacturing Sector Conference at Masson Mills, Matlock Bath on April 16th.
Delivered by Derbyshire County Council, the University of Derby and Derbyshire Makes, in partnership with East Midlands Chamber, the conference aimed to support growth and resilience within Derbyshire’s Advanced Manufacturing sector, bringing together the business community and young people.
The event was one of a number of STEAM initiatives (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Manufacturing) led by the Derbyshire Makes project and part of its Derbyshire Makes Festival 2026.
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore opened the conference. Speaking afterwards he said: “Partnering with Derbyshire County Council, the University of Derby and Derbyshire Makes on delivering this conference was valuable as it enabled the next generation of manufacturing talent to gain insight and build connections from long established manufacturers in the county.
“Through the STEAM initiatives delivered by the Derbyshire Makes project, and as part of the Derbyshire Makes Festival 2026, it’s been good to see the business community engage directly with young people, like the students from Belper School.
“Advanced manufacturing is a cornerstone of Derbyshire’s heritage and economy. Ensuring it continues to grow and remain resilient means investing in both innovation and people. By creating opportunities for businesses to explore new supply chain links, while also showcasing apprenticeship and career pathways, we’re helping to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce.”
Derbyshire County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration Cllr Robert Reaney welcomed delegates and gave a talk on the importance of advanced manufacturing sector in the county. Speaking afterwards he said: “Derbyshire is a bit of a hidden gem in business terms. The connectivity we’ve got – we’re right in the middle of the country with so many services we’ve got to offer. We need the businesses here thriving.
“For us, as a council, to support them and put conferences like this on and showcase things is really important. Then there’s the heritage we’ve got. This area is like ground zero of the industrial revolution. We’ve got it all going on. We’ve got the history, the heritage, the latest tech. The council, East Midlands Chamber of Commerce and similar groups, we’re about support and making life better for the people of Derbyshire, creating good jobs, opportunities for kids and bringing money in. It’s a win-win.
“Often businesses don’t fully realise all the support packages that are available, which have been referenced at this conference. We need people who are running businesses in Derbyshire to generate wealth.”
Derbyshire Makes Project Lead Clare Limb gave a talk on enabling the creativity and problem-solving skills of children and young people in the county, through a pilot project in schools exploring STEM through the arts. Speaking afterwards she said: “It’s very important to encourage young people to get more under the skin of their science, technology and engineering and maths learning to understand the application of it more broadly. Whatever tools can be used to engage children in that is really important.
“Using creativity and the arts to access STEM learning and understanding of STEM is really important because that then engages those young people in conversations about their futures. Some of them may want to go into manufacturing; some may want to go into design and technology; some into the arts or fields that are STEM related in the arts. It’s really important that young people have the opportunity to try.”
Speakers at the 2026 Derbyshire Makes: Advanced Manufacturing Sector Conference:
- Richard Blackmore – Director of Policy and Insight, East Midlands Chamber
- Cllr Robert Reaney – Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Derbyshire County Council
- Andrew Storer – CEO & Founder of NucCol (Nuclear Collaboration)
- Clare Limb – Project Lead, Derbyshire Makes and STEAM into ACTION
- Joanna Winterbourne – STEM Coordinator, Stem Ambassadors Partner East Midlands, LEBC
- Dr Chris Pilgrim – Technical Lead, Innovate UK (IUK) Business Connect
- David Goater – Managing Director Trans-Tronic Ltd
- Neil Chandler – Managing Director, Nelop Systems Ltd
