DB ESG champions refugee support in Derby and urges local rail sector to join forces.

Partnering with the charity Upbeat Communities is a powerful way to demonstrate social responsibility and make a real difference.

(Derby, 8th of December 2025) DB ESG, a leading provider of rolling stock engineering solutions, is calling on Derby-based rail companies to join its mission to create a thriving community where refugees are empowered to rebuild their lives and contribute to society. For over five years, DB ESG has partnered with Upbeat Communities, a Derby based charity dedicated to supporting refugees who have fled conflict and persecution. DB ESG was the first rail company to back the charity, demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. The partnership with Upbeat started in 2019, when DB ESG funded German language lesson for its employees through Derby Language School, a social enterprise established in 2012 to help fund Upbeat’s work. All profits from this language school are used to transform the lives of refugees. To date, DB ESG has invested over £34,000 in lessons, enabling the charity to provide free English classes to over 1000 refugees, supporting their integration into the city of Derby.

In December 2024, DB ESG expanded its support by selecting Upbeat Clean as its commercial cleaning partner for its Derby offices. Upbeat Clean employs refugee women on real living wage salaries, offering flexible work and mentoring. The business recently became the first in Derbyshire to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunities category and is the only cleaning company in the UK to achieve this prestigious accolade.

Suzanne Bassett, Operations Director at DB ESG said: “We are delighted with the quality of work provided by Upbeat, both through the Language School and the cleaning services. On the cleaning side, we not only receive a first-class service, but we also help to change lives, supporting our company values and ethical employment practices. We urge other local rail businesses to join us. What better way to demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.”

Michael Gladwell, Managing Director, Upbeat Clean added: “Our partnership with DB ESG shows how businesses can make a real difference. Every contract helps us create opportunities for refugee women to thrive and has enabled us to pay over a million in real living wages.”

About DB ESG:

DB ESG, established in 1995, is a leading specialist provider of rolling stock engineering solutions for the UK rail industry. As part of DB Systemtechnik, we form one of the largest rolling stock consultancies in Europe. Our world-class experts and solutions add value to both our customers and the UK rail sector.

For further information visit: www.deutschebahn.com/dbesg

About Upbeat Communities:

Upbeat Communities is a Derbyshire-based charity supporting refugees and asylum seekers to rebuild their lives through community, language learning, and employment opportunities. Our social enterprise, Upbeat Clean, creates meaningful jobs, particularly for women from refugee backgrounds, while delivering high-quality commercial cleaning services.

To learn more about our work as a charity or explore ways to support, visit www.upbeatcommunities.org or www.upbeatclean.co.uk or contact us at hello@upbeatcommunities.org.

Upbeat Communities is a registered charity 1162856.