Five members of the Conservative Party chose the ATA Recruitment Headquarters at the historic Derby Conference Centre as a stop off point during their campaign trail.

Included in the delegation was Shadow Minister of State for Europe Mark Francois MP, MEP Emma McClarkin and Conservative Candidate for Derby South Jack Perschke all of whom were impressed by the Conference Centre and Catalis’ training facilities, not just in terms of its heritage as a centre for railway training but also its role as a conference centre and its reputation as a world class rail and health and safety training facility.

The visit was organised by Campaign Manager Phil Bailey as part of an industrial tour of Derby South and Derby North and follows David Cameron’s rally at Burton’s Marston Brewery on the 21^st April where he set out plans for the region.

For more than 70 years, the Derby Conference Centre has been at the core of the railway industry within the city and it therefore seemed only fitting that it should form part of the Conservatives visit to the town whilst on the campaign trail. The building operated by the RTC Group is head office to the Group’s businesses, Catalis – a leading rail and health and safety training organization, ATA Recruitment, a white collar engineering and technical recruitment specialist, Ganymede Solutions – focusing on the supply of contingent labour and the Derby Conference Centre, a hotel facility offering conference and event facilities to the corporate and private sector.

Indeed Phil Bailey, who is also Chairman of the Local Conservative Association, said the Derby Conference Centre was an obvious choice to be included on the tour. 

He commented: “As a party our brief is trade and looking at how we can improve it and rail is one of the main ways of getting people working. With its fantastic training facilities, we see Catalis, ATA and the Derby Conference Centre as continuing to play an integral role in this. However the facilities the Centre has to offer goes far beyond that. 

“The whole set up and ethos of the RTC Group is absolutely fantastic and an important part of the fabric of Derby and we are proud to have such an organization and venue on our doorstep.”

Shadow Minister of State for Europe, Mark Francois was equally impressed with the facilities and commented: “I have been really impressed by the facilities here at both the Derby Conference Centre and Catalis.

“Everyone knows that the economy is in difficulty, but we have to grow our way out of trouble then make certain we are providing the right skills set for the 21^st century.

“The RTC Group through Catalis and subsequent businesses is evidently doing that and is an asset to the city and wider economy.”

In recognition if its heritage, the Grade II listed Derby Conference Centre, was last year awarded the Transport Trust’s Red Wheel Commemorate Plaque and in addition to continuing to operate as a centre of excellence for railway training.

Indeed each of the individual businesses continue to play a major role within the railway marketplace and only last week ATA Rail, the recruitment arm of the RTC Group, held a jobs fair which was attended by over one-third of redundant Jarvis workers in their quest for alternative employment.         

Andy Pendlebury, Chief Executive of the RTC Group plc commented: “We were extremely pleased to be selected for a visit as part of the campaign trail.

“We have always taken great pride in our offering both to the rail industry and beyond and to receive such recognition is absolutely fantastic and a great tribute to all our staff.”