Recently, he has been focusing on applying semantics and linked data to create enduring data assets for enterprises. Derek actively participates in a wide range of collaborations across industry, has contributed to a number of data initiatives, such as the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) network, and working in partnership with the Open Data Institute and the European bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) industry programme.

Derek represented industry interests on the design for Agrimetrics a UK Agritech centre, and now sits on the Agrimetrics Advisory Board and is also visiting Professor, at the University of Reading in the School of Agriculture Policy and Development.