The first companies have moved into the Cavendish Building, part of the newly launched Derby International Business School. The seven-storey facility is designed to strengthen ties between academia and industry by housing commercial tenants alongside university departments.
Flexible office spaces on the second and sixth floors cater to teams of various sizes, supporting collaboration and research partnerships. Early tenants include Marketing Derby, the Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter Business Improvement Districts, design agency MacMartin, and thermal window specialist Blind Screen.
Businesses located in the building will have access to facilities such as a creativity lab, a supply chain lab, a trading floor, and an immersive reality suite. The development also features a café, library, and shared workspaces designed to foster innovation and cross-sector engagement.
The Cavendish Building is part of the University of Derby’s wider strategy to deepen its industrial connections and create an environment where companies, students, and researchers can collaborate on skills development and applied projects.
Marketing Derby managing director, John Forkin, said: “We are particularly pleased to be strengthening our relationship with the University through this move.
“Over many years, we have worked closely together for the betterment of the city. The Cavendish Building itself is a perfect illustration of the University’s commitment to Derby, particularly the city centre. We look forward to continuing our mission to make Derby the city of choice for inward investors from our new home.”
Claire MacDonald, co-founder and director of MacMartin, said: “The values of the University of Derby and, in particular, the Business School’s focus on sustainability research align perfectly to the ethos and beliefs of MacMartin.
“As an alumnus of the University’s Help to Grow project, I have witnessed first-hand the value of working collaboratively and we are very keen to continue to expand our relationship with the University and wider business community.”
Gemma Pindard, deputy manager for the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter BIDs, said: “The team and I are thrilled to have moved into The Cavendish Building. Our new base will enable the BIDs and our team of Rangers to remain close to the city centre and continue our valuable work supporting local businesses.”
Paul Cheetham, co-Founder and director of Blind Screen, said: “This exciting move to The Cavendish Building is another milestone for Blind Screen. We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with the University of Derby, driving innovation and contributing to the evolving culture of the Business School.”
