Digital Planning has entered a strategic partnership with East Midlands Chamber, giving the Loughborough-based firm a formal platform to engage with the region’s business community and contribute to policy conversations that shape the local operating environment.

The collaboration enables the company to work more closely with member organisations, share technical expertise at Chamber events, and support initiatives focused on digital adoption.

East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “With rapidly evolving technology and the enormous opportunities presented by AI, Digital Planning is a valuable resource for East Midlands firms looking to streamline their processes or move their digital journey forward.

“I’m delighted to welcome Digital Planning as a strategic partner and I’m certain the insight brought will be highly beneficial to the Chamber and our members.”

Digital Planning works as a commercial R&D partner for mid-sized organisations operating in complex or regulated industries. Its portfolio covers secure automation, bespoke software, and cyber-resilient digital platforms for sectors including healthcare, manufacturing and financial services.

The firm collaborates with financial, scientific and international research institutions and is currently developing Metis, an AI system for contextual resource allocation.

Digital Planning Co-founder Mark Underwood said: “Digital Planning is really pleased to be partnering with East Midlands Chamber as we work together on the commercial R&D needed to transform productivity through original digital technologies.

“Digital Planning researches, develops, and delivers secure, next generation digital solutions that lift productivity, slash waste, and free people up to focus on higher-value work.

“Our partnership with the Chamber is already producing a really interesting bit of IP, and it’s deepening our role as a technology partner in complex and regulated industries aiming to confidently deploy next generation tech platforms.”

The company has gained regional recognition for its innovation, having won the 2025 Made in the Midlands Digital Technology Award and earned a shortlist position in a national entrepreneurship awards programme for its work in automation and data-driven technology.

A Derby arboriculture company has been fined £20,000 after an employee suffered life-altering back injuries when he fell over 30 feet from a MEWP basket. An employee of AP Tree Specialists Ltd had been carrying out tree surgery from the basket of a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) at a mobile site in Derby on 25 January 2024. When the machine stopped working while elevated, there was no one on site who could bring the basket safely to the ground. The employee attempted to abseil from the basket, resulting in a fall to the ground. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that AP Tree Specialists Ltd failed to plan, appropriately supervise and carry out work at height in a safe manner. The company had not completed a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for work at height activities, and employees were not appropriately trained in the use of lifting equipment. The director, Matthew Scholes, was acting as site supervisor at the time and was directly involved in decisions and actions that led to the injuries sustained by the employee. The Work at Height Regulations require employers to ensure that work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out safely. Where lifting equipment is used, HSE guidance states that operatives must receive appropriate training, and that rescue planning, equipment and personnel must be considered as part of site assessment. AP Tree Specialists Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £6,956 in costs at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 3 December 2025. Director Matthew Scholes pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £400 in costs. HSE investigating inspector, Kerry Scott, said: “This incident could have been avoided if AP Tree Specialists Ltd had planned the work at height with suitable and sufficient risk assessments and safe systems of work, including a rescue plan. “They should have provided the employee with the correct information, instruction and training for working at height and for using the lifting equipment. HSE will not fail to take action where companies and directors do not ensure the health and safety of their employees.” This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Arfaq Nabi and supported by paralegal officer Thomas Smith.

It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to James Pinchbeck, founder and director of Pinchbeck Marketing and Advisory. Every year, marketers and creative agencies look forward to Pantone’s Colour of the Year. Although Pantone began in print, its influence now extends across digital design through HEX and RGB, shaping the visual direction of brands and campaigns. Cloud Dancer, the choice for 2026, is a soft and airy white that represents clarity, a sense of reset and a quiet optimism. It feels well suited to the year ahead for businesses and the wider marketing profession. For owner managed businesses, scale ups and professional firms, 2026 is likely to encourage a return to clear thinking. Many SMEs still operate without a coherent plan or meaningful measures of success and rely on bursts of activity rather than long term direction. The year ahead should bring a stronger focus on revisiting strategy, refining value propositions and selecting performance indicators that genuinely reflect impact rather than simple vanity metrics. AI will continue to progress from curiosity to everyday capability. It will support content creation, enhance customer insight and help with decision making. Just as importantly, organisations will need to understand how AI is influencing customer behaviour, prompting fresh thinking about messaging, brand experience and the allocation of marketing investment. The rise of fractional marketers is also expected to continue during 2026. As businesses recognise gaps in senior in house marketing capability and as AI reshapes required skills, many will seek part time strategic leaders who can provide clarity and accountability without the cost of a full time appointment. This development will also influence agencies, who will be expected to work alongside fractional marketing leaders and offer deeper strategic input. Cloud Dancer captures the essence of the year. It signals a moment for clearer thinking, purposeful resets and a gentle but confident sense of optimism.