Derby has been confirmed as the home of Great British Railways, with the new publicly owned railway body to be based at Becketwell in the city centre. The Department for Transport unveiled the site on 15 October 2026, describing it as the latest step in bringing the railway back into public control.

The new headquarters will accommodate up to 450 staff and is expected to bring hundreds of rail jobs to Derby, along with an estimated £151 million boost to the regional economy. Construction on the brownfield site is due to begin in early 2027, with the building completed by spring 2029.

Alongside the headquarters, the government confirmed up to 600 places on a new rail foundation apprenticeship over the next four years. The places are for young people aged 16 to 21, with the first starters based in Derby. The scheme is aimed at a workforce in which fewer than 7% of employees are under 25, and it forms part of the government's Youth Guarantee.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the decision put Derby at the heart of the railway's future, while East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward said the headquarters would bring hundreds of jobs into the city. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the apprenticeship would give young people a chance to build technical skills while earning.

The announcement builds on a £1 billion investment in a new fleet of trains for the north, set to be built at Alstom's Derby site. The government says the fleet will support hundreds of skilled jobs and apprenticeships. Read the full announcement on GOV.UK.