As artificial intelligence reshapes how organizations generate value from data, a quieter shift is happening beneath the surface. The question is no longer just how data is protected, but where it is processed, who governs it, and how infrastructure decisions intersect with national regulation and digital policy.

Datalec Precision Installations (DPI) is seeing this shift play out across global markets as enterprises and public sector organizations reassess how their data center strategies support both AI performance and regulatory alignment. What was once treated primarily as a compliance issue is increasingly viewed as a foundational design consideration.

Sovereignty moves upstream.

Data sovereignty has traditionally been addressed after systems were deployed, often resulting in fragmented architectures or operational workarounds. That approach is becoming less viable as regulations tighten and AI workloads demand closer proximity to sensitive data.

Organizations are now factoring sovereignty into infrastructure planning from the start, ensuring data remains within national borders and is governed by local legal frameworks. For many, this shift reduces regulatory risk while creating clearer operational boundaries for advanced workloads.

AI raises the complexity

AI intensifies data governance challenges by extending them beyond storage into compute and model execution. Training and inference processes frequently involve regulated or sensitive datasets, increasing exposure when data or workloads cross borders.

This has driven growing interest in sovereign AI environments, where data, compute, and models remain within a defined jurisdiction. Beyond compliance, these environments offer greater control over digital capabilities and reduced dependence on external platforms.

Balancing performance and governance 

Supporting sovereign AI requires infrastructure that can deliver high-density compute and low-latency performance without compromising physical security or regulatory alignment. DPI addresses this by delivering AI-ready data center environments designed to support GPU-intensive workloads while meeting regional compliance requirements.

The objective is to enable organizations to deploy advanced AI systems locally without sacrificing scalability or operational efficiency.

Regional execution at global scale

Demand for localized, compliant infrastructure is growing across regions where digital policy and economic strategy intersect. DPI’s expansion across the Middle East, APAC, and other international markets reflects this trend, combining regional delivery with standardized operational practices across 21 global entities.

According to Michael Aldridge, DPI’s Group Information Security Officer, organizations increasingly view localized infrastructure as a way to future-proof their digital strategies rather than constrain them.

Compliance as differentiation

As AI adoption accelerates, infrastructure and governance decisions are becoming inseparable. Organizations that can control where data lives and how AI systems operate are better positioned to manage risk, meet regulatory expectations, and move faster in regulated markets.

DPI’s approach reflects a broader industry shift: compliance is no longer just about meeting requirements, but about enabling innovation in an AI-driven environment.

To read DPI’s full perspective on data sovereignty and AI readiness, visit the company’s website.

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As 2025 comes to a close, Tim Hickinbottom, Head of Strategic Accounts at Datalec Precision Installations (DPI), is reflecting on a milestone year both personally and professionally. With nearly four decades in the digital infrastructure and technology sector, Hickinbottom’s perspective offers insight into how experience, adaptability, and long-term vision continue to shape growth in an evolving industry.

A Career Built on Experience and Adaptability

Hickinbottom’s career began in 1986 at Compucorp and includes formative years in the Royal Navy and with British Aerospace in Saudi Arabia. These early experiences helped shape a leadership approach grounded in resilience, discipline, and adaptability. These are qualities that remain critical as data center and mission-critical services grow more complex and globally connected.

A Defining Year 

In 2025, DPI sustained its year-on-year growth while expanding into new regions. The launch of operations in APAC, continued momentum in the Middle East, and steady growth across Europe marked one of the company’s busiest periods to date. By year-end, DPI expects to operate 23 entities worldwide, with further expansion already underway.

According to Hickinbottom, this progress reflects both strong market demand and a deliberate strategy focused on operational discipline and long-term stability.

Strategy, Engagement, and Sustainability

Behind the visible growth is a leadership team focused on reinvestment and sustainable expansion. While much of this work occurs behind the scenes, evolving strategies and internal alignment are shaping DPI’s direction.

Throughout the year, DPI reinforced its global presence at major industry events including Datacentre World and GITEX conferences across multiple regions. At the same time, the company advanced its sustainability efforts, earning recognition from CDP and EcoVadis and preparing to share its Science Based Targets.

“These initiatives matter deeply to our clients and partners,” Hickinbottom notes, emphasizing accountability and environmental stewardship as core elements of industry leadership.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As DPI looks toward 2026, Hickinbottom remains optimistic about the challenges and opportunities ahead. With hard work embedded in the company’s culture and a clear focus on innovation, DPI is positioned to continue supporting data center operators and digital infrastructure stakeholders worldwide.

“Work should be enjoyable,” Hickinbottom reflects. “It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m excited for what’s next.”

To explore Hickinbottom’s full reflections on 2025 and his perspective on the year ahead, read the complete blog on Datalec Precision Installations’ website here.

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In an era where sustainability is no longer just a buzzword but a business imperative, the data center industry is under increasing pressure to demonstrate measurable environmental progress. Datalec Precision Installations (DPI), a provider of world-class global data center design, supply, build, and installation services, has taken a significant step in this direction. The company announced this week that it has been recognized for its transparency on environmental issues with a ‘B’ score from CDP Worldwide, the global non-profit that runs the world’s leading environmental disclosure system.

A Benchmark for Transparency

DPI’s ‘B’ rating in the climate change category places it among a select group of organizations demonstrating “Management” level stewardship. This score indicates that Datalec is not just aware of its environmental impact but is taking coordinated action on climate issues.

The achievement is notable given the rigour of the CDP process. In 2025, nearly 20,000 companies were scored, with CDP’s methodology widely considered the gold standard for corporate environmental reporting. By aligning with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework, CDP scores are a critical metric for the 640 institutional investors – representing over $127 trillion in assets – who use this data to inform their investment and procurement decisions.

Driving an Earth-Positive Economy

For the data center sector, where Scope 3 emissions and supply chain transparency are critical challenges, DPI’s disclosure represents a commitment to the future.

“We are proud to receive a B score from CDP, which is a meaningful recognition of the tireless and consistent work of our entire team towards achieving our ESG goals,” said Tim Hickinbottom, DPI ESG Group Lead. “Transparency and accountability are at the heart of our sustainability strategy, and this result reflects our commitment to driving positive environmental impact. While we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on continuous improvement and advancing sustainable practices.”

The Importance of Disclosure

Sherry Madera, CEO of CDP, emphasized that these scores are about more than just accolades. They are about future-proofing operations. “A CDP score is a sign of commitment to high-quality data that enables companies to take earth-positive economic decisions,” Madera noted. “Tackling environmental risks head-on will create a more resilient economy and increase companies’ ability to innovate and invest.”

To learn more about Datalec’s services and sustainability initiatives, visit www.datalecltd.com.

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