Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward

I’ve invited Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard to join me in a Peak Partnership Summit to discuss how we can all work together to improve the Peak District and the surrounding towns and villages. Many residents will work and travel across the regions, which is why it’s so important we work across boundaries to solve shared challenges and make the most of the opportunities we have. Read more here: https://zurl.co/a3EKd Greater Manchester Combined Authority South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

It was great to attend the White Peak Loop launch event earlier this week. The White Peak Loop is a 42-mile circular trail that connects Matlock, Bakewell and Buxton and is a brilliant route for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders, offering a safe and scenic way to explore some of Derbyshire's fantastic landscapes. This project is a huge step forward in making active travel safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for residents and visitors. By investing in high-quality walking and cycling routes, we’re making it easier for people to choose sustainable transport options. Read more here: https://zurl.co/m42s4 Derbyshire County Council Peak District National Park Visit Peak District and Derbyshire

I had a fantastic visit to the University of Nottingham new Zero Carbon Innovation Centre (ZCIC) recently. The ZCIC is a game-changer for research, industry, and investment—creating jobs, boosting our economy, and delivering real-world climate solutions. The future of transport is being built right here in the East Midlands, as the centre will deliver innovation in transport technology, green hydrogen production, and power solutions. You can read more here - https://zurl.co/rl5fS East Midlands Freeport Research England Loughborough University #ZeroCarbon25 #EastMidlands

I’m absolutely delighted to bring together the 2025 East Midlands Tourism Awards, incorporating the Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards and the Peak District Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards, taking place this evening. As Mayor of the East Midlands, championing our visitor economy is one of my key priorities. The incredible attractions, experiences, people and places across the East Midlands are rightly and deservedly being celebrated tonight. The winners will have the opportunity to participate in the national VisitEngland awards. Congratulations to all the nominees and good luck! #VisitNottinghamshireTourismAwards #PDDTourismAwards Visit Nottinghamshire Visit Peak District and Derbyshire

I’ll be leading a fantastic team at UKREiiF to launch a bold new vision for our region’s economy. For the first time, we’ll have a dedicated East Midlands Pavilion, where investors, developers, and businesses can discover the incredible opportunities we have to offer. This will be bolstered by a long-term plan for regional growth that’ll give businesses and investors the certainty they need. So come and meet me, my team, and our partners and colleagues from across our region at the East Midlands Pavilion at UKREiiF. Read more here: https://zurl.co/uu30r

Yesterday we launched the interim Inclusive Growth Commission report, alongside Chair of the Commission and CEO of the The RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce) Andy Haldane at NTU Mansfield's University Hub. I know how important economic growth is, but it is also important that we hold that growth to high standards: it should enable people to live healthy, fulfilling lives as part of connected communities and thriving places. In November last year, I launched the Inclusive Growth Commission to bring together insights on how we can build a stronger, fairer economy and I am pleased to have reached a point at which we can share some of its findings. Read the report here: https://zurl.co/2edI5

I am very proud to announce my £3 million Mayoral Community Development Fund to support the East Midlands most disadvantaged communities. Over the next three years, this fund will help 10 to 12 areas in our region to strengthen local networks and access resources. The goal is to help communities become more self-sufficient, so they can shape local services, attract funding and take on new projects. We have worked with local community groups to get this right and i'm proud we have the backing from local organisations like Community Action Derby . Read more here: I https://zurl.co/BbgzY

I have been out meeting some fantastic women of the region this week to celebrate International Women’s Day. I had the pleasure of an afternoon in Ashfield with the Academy Transformation Trust Further Education College for an inspirational and empowering event that focused on the importance of championing gender equality and I spoke about what it meant to be a woman leader in the local community. It was great to meet so many inspiring women and celebrate their achievements, whilst reinforcing our collective ongoing commitment to inclusion, equality, and opportunity for all. https://zurl.co/nuiWI East Midlands Combined County Authority

I am proud to stand alongside my fellow women in leadership from across the East Midlands, as we step forward in solidarity for International Women's Day and show, that no matter what, as women we can succeed, and we need to support the next generation so they too can succeed.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, I had the pleasure of meeting young women who are training to go into the construction trades at Nottingham College . I joined their Principle and CEO, Janet Smith and regional construction employers and senior women in education and skills to visit their new Construction Skills Centre in Basford. The East Midlands construction industry needs more than 17k new works by 2028. I am committed to helping attract more young people into the trade, but also get more young girls seeing themselves in this sector. I am working to re-launch the East Midlands Combined County Authority Careers Hub, Future Makers initiative, which connects young people with businesses, offering hands-on industry experience and career guidance to help them explore career pathways. Read more: https://zurl.co/TTodO