‘A big step forward’ – PM Andy Burnham hails plans for Great British Railways HQ in Derby

The publicly owned rail body will move into a new city-centre headquarters by spring 2029, with the development expected to bring a £151 million boost to the regional economy

Great British Railways is to establish its national headquarters in Derby, creating space for up to 450 staff and opening 600 apprenticeship opportunities for young people over the next four years, it emerged today.

The new headquarters will be built at Becketwell, a former brownfield site in the city centre, with construction expected to begin in early 2027 and finish by spring 2029.

The government estimates the development will bring £151 million to the regional economy as it presses ahead with plans to bring Britain’s railways under public ownership.

The HQ will accommodate up to 450 employees, with improved public transport connections and walking routes delivered in partnership with Derby City Council and the East Midlands Combined Authority.

Up to 600 foundation apprenticeship places for people aged 16 to 21 will also be created, with the first apprentices based in Derby.

The programme will run over four years and combine paid work experience with qualifications, providing routes into skilled employment across the railway industry.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “For too long, people have put up with a railway that often lets them down. When you are trying to get to work, see your family, or get home, you should be able to rely on your train turning up.

“Today is another big step forward. Great British Railways will have its home in Derby, a city that has railways in its DNA. This will bring investment and good jobs, giving young people the chance to build their future in the place they call home.”

Great British Railways is being established to bring passenger services and railway infrastructure under a single publicly owned organisation.

The government says its programme of bringing train operators into public ownership is already delivering changes, including a rail fares freeze and an additional 76,000 passenger seats a week across the network.

A new fleet of trains for major cities across northern England is also planned, with a £1 billion investment in rolling stock to be manufactured at Alstom’s Derby factory.

The government says the order will support hundreds of skilled jobs and apprenticeships at the plant.

Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, said: “The biggest shake-up to our railways in a generation is underway. Great British Railways will bring the railway together around one mission – better services for passengers – with Derby at the heart of its future.

“I’m delighted Becketwell will become GBR’s new home, building on Derby’s proud rail heritage and bringing jobs, investment and opportunity to the city.”

Derby has a long history of railway engineering and manufacturing and is already home to one of Britain’s major train-building facilities.

The city’s selection as the national headquarters follows an earlier government decision to locate Great British Railways there, with the Becketwell announcement confirming the specific development site.

Derby City Council said the headquarters would occupy 3 Springwell Square, a planned eight-storey office development providing approximately 106,000 sq ft of space.

The council is working with the East Midlands Combined Authority on funding arrangements for the building, which will form part of the wider Becketwell regeneration scheme.

The apprenticeship programme forms part of the government’s Youth Guarantee, which aims to increase access to employment, education and training for young people.

Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, said the new rail apprenticeships would be supported by a wider £2.5 billion youth employment package intended to create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn or learn.

He said: “This foundation apprenticeship will give young people the chance to explore career paths within the sector at an exciting time, developing their technical knowledge and skillset while earning.”

READ MORE: Siemens expands rail technology arm with Italian deal. The German group is buying key parts of MERMEC, adding 1,700 staff, €430m of revenue and rail inspection technology used in more than 70 countries. 

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_{Main image: Artist’s impression of the planned Great British Railways headquarters at Springwell Square in Derby’s Becketwell district. The eight-storey building will accommodate up to 450 staff, with construction expected to begin in early 2027 and be completed by spring 2029. Credit: Department for Transport / Derby City Council.}