The digital economy is constantly evolving, but for the thousands of organisations across the East Midlands, from SMEs to charities, the challenge remains the same: a persistent digital skills gap and a rising tide of cyber security threats. The stark reality is that the UK is experiencing approximately four nationally significant cyber attacks every week, as reported by the NCSC. This constant threat is a burden on every organisation, making the need for focused, regional support more critical than ever.
This is why FWD.london, in collaboration with The Community Revolution (TCR) and supported by the work of regional and national organisations such as the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce (EMCC) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), is launching a comprehensive, region-wide Industry Digital Needs (IDN) study.
Help us create the evidence-based digital roadmap
For too long, digital support programmes have been designed based on broad assumptions rather than the specific, validated needs of the East Midlands business community. As the FSB highlighted in their report, The Tech Tonic Report, the key barriers to tech adoption remain clear: a lack of technical expertise and insufficient funding or a clear return on investment (ROI). We are addressing this head-on.
The IDN study is a chance for your voice to be heard. We are calling on East Midlands businesses and passionate business advocates to step forward and provide the definitive data needed to drive real change.
How your participation helps
- If you are a business owner or staff member: Your input will directly inform the design of commercially viable, socially valuable applications and services, particularly in high-demand areas like cyber security and digital skills programmes, that solve the problems you face. You will stop wasting time on generic solutions.
- If you are a business advocate, policy-maker, or a team member at an organisation like FSB or EMCC: The study provides independent, high-quality data to strengthen your policy work, secure funding, and ensure that the support you offer your network is perfectly aligned with the region’s most critical needs. This will help your organisation move towards a unified, evidence-led strategy.
Securing a confident digital future
Your contribution is critical. By participating in a short, targeted survey, you are helping us to create a clear, evidence-based roadmap for the region. This is a direct investment in the future economic resilience of the East Midlands, ensuring that FWD.london and TCR deliver targeted support that genuinely closes the validated digital skills gaps, a need often championed by the EMCC on behalf of its 4,000+ member organisations.
Your help is needed now. To ensure FWD.london and TCR deliver targeted support that genuinely closes the validated digital skills gaps, please sign up today.
