Chesterfield Investment Summit to Spotlight £2bn Regeneration and East Midlands Investment Zone
Business owners and investors are invited to discover how Chesterfield’s regeneration projects are creating significant investment opportunities and driving growth across the region.
The Chesterfield Investment Summit will take place on Wednesday, 18th November 2026 at Chesterfield College.
Organised by Destination Chesterfield, the summit will showcase wider growth and investment opportunities in the area, whilst celebrating the success of recent local regeneration projects.
The event, which will be opened by Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, will bring together investors, developers and civic leaders to highlight investment and growth opportunities arising from the developments and regeneration projects that are shaping the town’s future.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said:
“The Investment Summit is our opportunity to let everyone know about the fantastic things happening in our borough, from major regeneration projects that are transforming our town through to our investment in skills and business support that help ensure our community continues to benefit from growth. I look forward to meeting with investors and businesses to hear about the fantastic work they do and explain how they can play a key role in shaping Chesterfield’s future.”
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, will address the summit, sharing her vision for growth for the East Midlands, including how increased devolution will benefit local people, business and investors.
The summit will also provide updates on the latest East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) investments and the East Midlands Investment Zone (EMIZ).
Focusing on clean energy and advanced manufacturing, the East Midlands Investment Zone (EMIZ) will provide various incentives to businesses located within its area, such as grants, business rates retention and tax incentives, aimed at driving economic growth and generating thousands of high-quality jobs.
The East Midlands Investment Zone (EMIZ) operates across three brownfield sites at Staveley, Chesterfield. Hartington Commerce Park is paving the way for future-ready industrial and employment space. The Hartington Business Park, which is already under construction, will provide space for new investors and expanding firms. These sites will benefit from a range of incentives to attract end users in the green and advanced manufacturing sectors. The third site is the former Staveley Chemical Works; this site will be brought forward for development in the future.
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said:
“Chesterfield is playing an important role in the East Midlands’ growth story, with major regeneration projects creating new opportunities for businesses and investors.
Through the East Midlands Investment Zone and our wider work with partners, we’re helping to showcase the region’s strengths in clean energy and advanced manufacturing, while creating the right conditions for investment, jobs, and long-term growth.
Events like the Chesterfield Investment Summit are a great opportunity to put these opportunities in front of investors and demonstrate why the East Midlands is a place where businesses can grow and succeed.”
Christine Durrant, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield Board Member will provide crucial investment updates on the key regeneration projects and developments taking place in Chesterfield, and outline how Chesterfield’s ongoing and proactive approach to regeneration is unlocking investment opportunities across the region.
The conference will feature a mixed discipline panel of local experts who will share ‘place insights’ on how investing in Chesterfield has helped generate growth and highlight the support available for businesses looking to invest in the region.
Julie Richards OBE, Principal and CEO of Chesterfield College Group and Destination Chesterfield Board Member will discuss Creating the Skills Advantage for Inward Investment and provide an update on the new £10 million Advanced Manufacturing & Life Sciences Academy at Chesterfield College.
Julie Richards OBE, Principal and CEO of Chesterfield College Group and Destination Chesterfield Board Member adds:
“Having the right skills and talent is an important part of attracting and retaining investment in Chesterfield. Businesses need access to a workforce with the skills to support their growth, and education and training have an important role to play in making that happen.
Our new £10 million Advanced Manufacturing & Life Sciences Academy is a major investment in the future workforce and will help us work even more closely with employers to develop the skills needed for these growing industries.”
To see full event details and secure your place at the Chesterfield Investment Summit, please book online at: www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/investment-summit/
