The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site is managed by a Board which is chaired by Cllr Andrew Lewer, the Leader of Derbyshire County Council.  The Board has 10 members drawn from the local authorities and the commercial sector.  It is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the site and the production and delivery of the Management Plan.  The Director reports to the Board which meets at least three times a year.

Board Members:

Cllr Andrew Lewer (Chairman)
Dianne Jeffrey (Vice-Chair)
John Beswarick
Cllr Stuart Bradford
Cllr Philip Hickson JP
Patrick Morriss
Andrew Pugh
John Rivers
Cllr Geoff Stevens
Jacqui Sutton

The project delivery mechanism within the site is through four Panels which deal with the following:

• Conservation and Planning
• Site Operations and Development
• Tourism and Regeneration
• Research and Publications

These Panels are chaired by Board members.

Due to the size and complexity of the site and the numerous owners and stakeholders there is also a Partnership Forum which meets twice a year.  It is composed of representatives from partner organisations including local authorities, voluntary societies, regional agencies and conservation bodies.  The Forum provides WHS partners with the opportunity to communicate with the Board and the Board an opportunity to inform and consult with WHS partners.

The Derwent Valley Mills key partners are:

• Amber Valley Borough Council
• Derby City Council
• Derbyshire County Council
• Derbyshire Dales District Council
• Erewash Borough Council
• Belper North Mill Trust
• Derwent Valley Trust
• Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
• Friends of Cromford Canal
• Sir Richard Arkwright’s Masson Mills
• The Arkwright Society
• CBI East Midlands
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• English Heritage
• Natural England
• Environment Agency
• ICOMOS UK
• The Derbyshire Chamber and Business Link
• Alderwasley Parish Council
• Breadsall Parish Council
• Crich Parish Council
• Cromford Parish Council
• Dethick, Lea & Holloway Parish Council
• Duffield Parish Council
• Little Eaton Parish Council
• Matlock Bath Parish Council
• Belper Town Council
• Ripley Town Council
• Wirksworth Town Council
• Derbyshire Economic Partnership
• Peak District and Derbyshire Destination Management Partnership
• Derwent Valley Community Rail Partnership
• Darley Abbey Community Association
• Darley Abbey Society
• Belper Civic Forum