The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site is the only World Heritage Site within the East Midlands. It is situated in the administrative county of Derbyshire, within the D2N2 Local Economic Partnership area.

The Midlands Engine, a coalition of councils, combined authorities, local enterprise partnerships (LEP), universities and businesses across the region, is actively working with the government to build a collective identity, to present the Midlands as a competitive and compelling offer that is attractive at home and overseas.

As the UK Government requires all of its World Heritage Sites to produce management plans to fulfil UNESCO’s requirements for a management system, it is envisaged and will be promoted that these agencies need to acknowledge the DVMWHS Management Plan as part of their plans, understanding and embracing the pioneering tradition and ambition it represents.