A series of new international agreements has directed significant investment toward Derby’s manufacturing sector. Rolls-Royce has secured a £370 million contract to supply and service jet engines for 10 aircraft operated by Air Algerie. The engines will be built in Derby, where the company employs 14,500 people.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This is fantastic news for Derby and the East Midlands. Rolls-Royce is key employer, not just for people who live in the city, but for residents in nearby towns and villages too. This vote of confidence in our region will protect and create opportunities for better jobs and skills for local people. The message from the Government is clear: the East Midlands is open for business.”
The announcement was made ahead of the G20 Summit in South Africa and sits within a broader programme of export activity that is extending the reach of UK engineering expertise.
Additional government-backed agreements will support rail modernisation in South Africa and Vietnam. Crossrail International will advise South Africa on railway reform, provide consultancy on attracting private investment, and expand commercial opportunities for UK firms involved in freight and passenger transport. The collaboration links with Derby-built trains already operating in Johannesburg.
In Vietnam, UK specialists will work with the Ministry of Construction on plans for advanced rail infrastructure. The project will help shape digital rail strategies informed by UK experience, particularly the systems used in recent high-capacity metro developments.
The combined activity strengthens the East Midlands’ position as a global centre for engineering and signals wider commercial pathways for British firms across aviation and rail.
