The Chesterfield Investment Summit will take place on Wednesday 18th November 2026 in The Heart Space at Chesterfield College. The summit offers an in-depth update on transformative projects shaping our town’s future, with a chance to see how regeneration is creating new opportunities for local people, businesses and investors.
Venue: Chesterfield College, Infirmary Road, Chesterfield, S41 7NG
Date: Wednesday 18th November, 2026
Time: 8:30am to 12:00pm
Starting with breakfast, delegates will have the opportunity to connect with senior leaders, investors and members of the local business community before the morning’s presentations begin. Over bacon cobs, warm pastries and freshly brewed coffee, attendees can meet various key figures from throughout our region and discuss the exciting opportunities emerging across our borough.
Throughout the morning, delegates will hear from leading keynote speakers and a multidisciplinary panel of experts as we explore Chesterfield’s regeneration journey, the opportunities transforming our town and the investment shaping its future. The Summit will provide exclusive insight into major developments, emerging investment opportunities and the powerful partnerships driving Chesterfield’s ambition for sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
Agenda
The summit will be hosted and led by Destination Chesterfield Board Member, and MD of local manufacturing firm, MSE Hiller, Ivan Fomin.
8.30am – Networking breakfast
9.30am – Welcome: Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council
9.40am – Keynote address: Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands
10.00am – Investment update: Christine Durrant, CEO, Chesterfield Borough Council
10.30am – Panel discussion on inward investment opportunities: place insights
10.50am – Creating the skills advantage for inward investment: Julie Richards, CEO and Principal, Chesterfield College
11.10am – Closing remarks: Ivan Fomin, MSE Hiller
11.20am – Networking
12.00pm – Close
Meet our speakers
Councillor Tricia Gilby has served as Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council since 2017, becoming the first woman to lead the authority in its history. She represents the Brimington South ward and is also the council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth.
A longstanding advocate for inclusive economic growth, Tricia has played a prominent role in championing investment, regeneration and skills development across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
Alongside her leadership of the borough council, she serves on the East Midlands Combined County Authority Board and chairs its Housing and Land Committee, helping to shape strategic growth and housing priorities across the region.
Throughout her career in public service, Tricia has held senior leadership roles in local government, the NHS and the voluntary sector. She is passionate about ensuring that local communities benefit from economic growth and that young people have access to the skills, training and opportunities needed to succeed in the jobs of the future. Cllr Gilby is also a member of the University of Derby Court.
Claire Ward is the Mayor of the East Midlands, representing 2.2 million people across the region. As Mayor, she is the Chair of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, working with partners across the region and beyond to deliver inclusive growth for the East Midlands. The Mayor also acts as a champion for the region, influencing Government at a national level to boost growth and innovation, shape policy, and access further funding.
She has responsibility for transport, skills, housing and land, net-zero and economic development, and is using those levers to achieve positive social, economic and environmental outcomes.
The Mayor previously served as MP for Watford from 1997-2010, during which she was as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice from 2009-2010.
Christine Durrant is the Chief Executive at Chesterfield Borough Council. Christine has 20 years’ experience operating at a strategic level in local government and has delivered many ambitious regeneration, economic development and transport projects. Christine’s ambitions are firmly focussed on achieving inclusive growth and ensuring equity of opportunity for all, helping and supporting people and places to be the very best that they can be.
Julie Richards is Principal and CEO of The Chesterfield College Group. With over 35 years’ experience in Further Education, Julie has a strong track record of working with employers and partners to develop workforce skills, support business growth and help meet the evolving needs of the regional economy. She has led the College since 2017 and is committed to ensuring education and training play a central role in driving opportunity and investment.
Ivan Fomin is Managing Director of MSE Hiller, and the host and compere of the event. Having grown up in South London, Ivan graduated with a degree in Nuclear Engineering, then worked on a number of power and water sites for Babcock. Ivan was awarded an MBA from Durham University, and then, in 1990, found his way to Chesterfield to run an engineering company in Clay Cross. In 2001 he started MSE Hiller which subsequently moved to its current site at Markham Vale in 2012, the same year he was elected a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Ivan has been a Board member of Destination Chesterfield for 11 years and has been Chair of Staveley Town Deal since 2020.
We hope you can join us!
Further information for the Chesterfield Investment Summit – accessibility and photography/videography
Organisers are keen to ensure you have the best possible experience at the event. If you have any accessibility, dietary or other specific requirements, please tick the accessibility box when booking. A member of the team will be in touch as soon as possible. Please do get in touch if you would like any further information by contacting: suzy.link@chesterfield.co.uk
As Destination Chesterfield is keen to promote all of its activity. We need to advise you that in booking for this event, you are granting us all rights to photographs and recordings that we & our representatives may take of you or your associates at the event. This includes the right to use content in printed and online publicity, social media, press releases and funding applications. If you would prefer not to be in photography or recordings, please contact us before the event, or on arrival at the event.
By booking, you give consent for Destination Chesterfield to contact you regarding this event and to your details being stored and used as per our privacy notice
