Three leading universities have joined forces with the Mayor of the East Midlands to accelerate inclusive economic growth, strengthen skills pathways and boost innovation across the region.
The University of Derby, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham have signed a new University Compact with Mayor Claire Ward and East Midlands Combined County Authority Chief Executive Amy Harhoff. The agreement sets out a shared commitment to closer collaboration on priorities that matter most to local people, communities and businesses.
The Compact outlines a long‑term ambition to make the East Midlands one of the most innovative, productive, inclusive and sustainable regions in the UK. By working together, EMCCA and the universities aim to tackle inequalities, strengthen education and training routes, drive sector growth and attract new investment.
The partnership recognises the distinct strengths of each university, while emphasising the value of speaking with a strong, unified voice to champion the region nationally and internationally.
A core focus of the Compact is improving education and skills, aligned with the recently published East Midlands Growth Plan.
The universities and EMCCA will collaborate to:
- Create more opportunities for local people to learn, retrain and upskill
- Strengthen pathways into good‑quality jobs
- Ensure skills provision reflects the needs of key growth sectors
The aim is to ensure residents can access education and employment opportunities that support long‑term prosperity within the region.
Through closer collaboration, the partnership will work to attract major research funding and translate academic research into practical solutions that benefit communities, public services and businesses.
By combining academic expertise with regional leadership, the Compact seeks to ensure research delivers tangible economic and social value across the East Midlands. The agreement also commits the partners to supporting business growth and innovation, helping firms to scale, innovate and attract new investment.
The collaboration will build on major regional opportunities, including the East Midlands Freeport and Investment Zone, maximising their potential to stimulate growth, productivity and job creation.
Inclusive growth is central to the Compact, with a strong focus on ensuring everyone has a fair chance to succeed, particularly young people and underrepresented groups.
The partnership will seek to balance economic growth with sustainability, wellbeing and social inclusion, ensuring progress benefits all communities across the region.
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said:
“Our universities are among our greatest regional assets. They educate our people, support our businesses and help shape the future of our communities. This Compact is about working together so that growth in the East Midlands is not just bigger, but better – and felt by people in their everyday lives.
“By pulling in the same direction, we can speak with a stronger voice, attract investment, and make the East Midlands a place where people want to live, work, study and build their future.”
By aligning regional leadership with academic expertise, the partners believe the East Midlands can unlock new opportunities, strengthen its economic foundations and deliver lasting, inclusive growth.
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