Microsoft Mentors

Most Microsoft rollouts don’t fail because the technology is broken. They fail because people never change how they work. In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli Ridley sits down with Mark Reynolds, Founder and CEO of Hable, to unpack the problem Mark spotted while working at Microsoft, and why he left a successful corporate career to solve it. Microsoft customers were migrating to the cloud. The technology was live. The licences were provisioned. But meaningful adoption wasn’t happening. When Mark asked the Partner ecosystem who was responsible for fixing the active-usage problem, the answer was repeatedly: “That’s not our job, mate.” So Mark built a company around making it his job. Eleven years later, Hable has grown into a leading Microsoft Adoption and Change Management partner, helping organisations turn investments in Microsoft 365, Teams and Copilot into measurable business value. This conversation explores Hable’s journey through three major technology eras—cloud, remote collaboration and AI—and the shift every Microsoft Partner and business leader now needs to understand: The technical side of transformation is getting easier. The human side is getting harder. Mark explains why buying Copilot licences is not an AI strategy, why IT cannot own business-wide adoption alone, and why organisations need leadership, digital confidence and department-specific use cases before AI can create value at scale. This is a practical conversation for Microsoft Partner leaders, founders, CIOs and anyone responsible for AI adoption, Copilot rollout or organisational change. 👉 Enjoyed the episode? Like the video, subscribe and share it with someone responsible for turning AI investment into actual business value. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode The active-usage problem Mark identified while working at Microsoft Why Microsoft technology deployments weren’t creating genuine transformation What gave Mark the confidence to leave Microsoft and launch Hable How Hable created a category before Adoption and Change Management had a recognised name Why technical implementation alone does not produce business outcomes How COVID accelerated Microsoft Teams adoption almost overnight Why Copilot adoption is fundamentally different from previous Microsoft rollouts Why giving licences to enthusiastic early adopters rarely transforms an organisation How to move AI adoption beyond the first 16% of employees Why finance, sales and operational leaders must shape their own AI use cases How digital confidence affects adoption at boardroom and employee level Why AI implementation may be fast, but meaningful organisational change still takes time What Microsoft Partners need to understand about the growing importance of ACM Mark’s biggest lessons from moving from founder to CEO Why founders should hire people who think differently from them 📬 Enjoyed the Episode? Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for new episodes, Microsoft Partner insights and leadership lessons from across the ecosystem: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7175453155780915200 🔗 Links & Resources Connect with Mark Reynolds on LinkedIn 👉 [Add Mark’s LinkedIn URL] Explore Hable 👉 https://hable.co.uk/ Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/ Follow Cloud Decisions 👉 https://www.clouddecisions.co.uk/ 🏢 About Cloud Decisions Cloud Decisions helps Microsoft Partners and Microsoft-aligned businesses build high-performing teams across Cloud, Data, Security and AI. We combine specialist Microsoft ecosystem knowledge with data-led hiring strategies, helping Partners increase hiring velocity, protect delivery capability and scale sustainably as technology and skills requirements evolve.

A conversation on acquiring Microsoft capability, integrating culture, protecting people, and turning M&A into a real strategic advantage.

Buying Microsoft capability is the easy headline.

Building a business around it properly is the harder bit.

That’s what makes this conversation with David Keeling so useful.

This isn’t just a story about an acquisition.

It’s a story about why businesses make them in the first place.

David talks openly about the gap between wanting Microsoft capability and actually building it. Because in his words, you can’t just flick a switch, hire a few people, and suddenly become a serious Microsoft partner. The ecosystem is too complex, the skills are too specialist, and the credibility takes years to build.

Because this isn’t just about buying revenue.

It’s about buying capability.

Buying trust.

Buying a team that already knows how to navigate Microsoft properly.

David reflects on why Centrality was attractive as an acquisition, how Intercity approached the process with a clear cultural fit in mind, and why so much of the due diligence came back to one question: how do you make sure the capability you’re buying actually stays intact?

There’s a lot in this one for founders, Microsoft partners, MSP leaders, and anyone thinking seriously about growth through acquisition.

Because the truth is, becoming Microsoft-first isn’t just a positioning line.

It has to show up in the people.

The process.

The capability.

And the way the business actually operates after the deal is done.

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why Intercity chose acquisition rather than trying to build Microsoft capability from scratch

Why becoming a credible Microsoft partner takes years, not months

What made Centrality such a strategic fit for Intercity

Why cultural alignment and people retention mattered so much in the acquisition process

How David approached scaling Centrality with stronger structure, process, and capability

Why Microsoft security has become a much stronger proposition for customers and partners

How Intercity is helping customers unlock value from Microsoft licensing they already pay for

Why proprietary IP and customer-facing tooling can help Microsoft partners stand out

How David thinks about AI adoption, customer maturity, and practical use cases

Why leadership, health, and bringing people with you matter just as much as strategy

Memorable Quotes

“we are now Microsoft First MSP that is absolutely at our core”

“it’s not something that you can flick a switch and overnight… say we’re Microsoft capability”

“that journey to be known as they’re a great Microsoft partner can take… years”

“you’ve got great people how do we make sure that during this process that capability isn’t lost”

“the asset is the people”

“you’re like a Ferrari with no brakes”

Enjoyed the Episode?

Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insight-led conversations on cloud, cyber security, leadership, partnerships, and scale across the Microsoft ecosystem.

Links & Resources

Connect with David Keeling on LinkedIn

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-keeling-bb84a84/

Explore Intercity

👉 https://intercity.technology/

Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/

Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/clouddecisions

About Cloud Decisions

Cloud Decisions is a trusted Microsoft Talent Partner, we combine deep ecosystem knowledge with data-led hiring strategies to help organisations scale securely and sustainably in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Most businesses don’t fail because they start badly. They fail because they stop adapting. That’s what makes this conversation with Mark Taylor, Founder and CTO of Chorus, such a useful one. Mark didn’t build Chorus in a hot market with perfect timing, big funding, or some polished founder playbook. He built it the old-fashioned way. From scratch. From his parents’ bedroom. By spotting a real Microsoft opportunity early. And then by staying in the game long enough to evolve with the market over and over again. In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, we get into how Chorus grew from a Small Business Server opportunity in 1999 into a much broader Microsoft business spanning managed services, Dynamics, and cybersecurity. But more importantly, we get into the decisions underneath that growth. Because this isn’t just a story about staying around for 27 years. It’s a story about changing before the market forces you to. Mark talks about what it looked like to start as a technical founder wearing every hat, why Microsoft became a day-one strategic commitment, how a small early acquisition unexpectedly helped Chorus move into Dynamics, and why cyber has now become such a major growth engine for the business. He also reflects on one of the harder founder decisions: knowing when the company needs something different from you as a leader. There’s a lot in this one for founders, Microsoft partners, MSP leaders, and anyone trying to build a business with staying power. Because the truth is, long-term growth usually doesn’t come from doing one thing well forever. It comes from knowing what to keep. What to change. And when to let the business evolve into something bigger than its starting point. If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Microsoft Small Business Server gave Chorus such a clear starting point in the early days What it actually looks like when a technical founder has to learn sales, finance, operations, and leadership on the job How an early acquisition helped Chorus gain traction in Microsoft Dynamics Why staying tightly aligned to Microsoft created long-term leverage for the business How Chorus evolved from traditional managed services into a multi-pillar Microsoft business Why cybersecurity has become such a major strategic growth area How Chorus turned part of its cyber capability into a channel-led SOC-as-a-service model What changed in customer expectations as the market moved from server uptime to user experience and service speed Why stepping out of the CEO role was one of the right moves for the business What long-term adaptation really looks like when you’re trying to build a company that lasts Memorable Quotes “we had the very specific goal early on that... small businesses, they're going to want this small business server thing.” “you suddenly go, yeah, no, I can do this better. I can do this.” “if we stick to this, let's stick to this and be good at this.” “we now deliver SOC as a service to other MSPs.” “our CEO these days is just perfect for that role.” Enjoyed the Episode? Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insight-led conversations on cloud, cyber security, leadership, partnerships, and scale across the Microsoft ecosystem. Links & Resources Connect with Mark Taylor on LinkedIn 👉https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-taylor-1041864/Explore Chorus 👉 https://www.chorus.co.uk/Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/ Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/clouddecisions About Cloud Decisions Cloud Decisions helps Microsoft Partners and Microsoft-aligned businesses build high-performing teams across Cloud, Data, Security, and AI.

What does it take to build a Microsoft business that lasts nearly 27 years?

In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, we sit down with Mark Taylor, Founder and CTO of Chorus, to explore how the business grew from a bedroom startup in 1999 into a multi-pillar Microsoft business spanning managed services, Dynamics, and cybersecurity.

In this trailer, Mark shares part of that journey, from spotting the early Small Business Server opportunity, to backing Microsoft from day one, to evolving Chorus as the market changed.

This is a conversation about more than longevity.

It’s about:

🎙️ Full episode available tomorrow on Microsoft Mentors.

How has Microsoft security evolved from the world of Active Directory and infrastructure into one defined by AI, data security, and non-human identities?

In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli sits down with Luke Elston, Microsoft Practice Director at CyberONE, to explore both his personal journey and the wider evolution of Microsoft security over the last decade. From starting out in engineering roles at Microsoft during the early Azure years, to building deep expertise across identity, Defender, and Purview, to now shaping the roadmap for a specialist Microsoft-first MSSP, Luke shares a practical view of how the security conversation has changed — and where it is heading next.

This is a conversation about much more than certifications or tooling. Luke reflects on how identity has come full circle as a security priority, why Microsoft’s investment in security has changed the market, and what it takes to turn technical depth into commercial leadership. He also explains why CyberONE doubled down on Microsoft, how that specialisation has strengthened its relationship with Microsoft, and why leaders who want to grow their careers need to stop waiting for opportunities to happen by accident.

Along the way, the conversation explores Sentinel, Defender, Purview, MISA, MXDR, shadow AI, data governance, AI-powered attacks, voice cloning, non-human identities, and the growing importance of securing agents as organisations adopt Copilot and broader AI systems. For Microsoft partners, cyber leaders, technical specialists, and anyone trying to understand the new shape of Microsoft security, this episode offers a grounded look at what good security really looks like now.

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How Luke’s career started in Microsoft engineering roles and why Active Directory gave him such a strong security foundation

• Why identity has come back to the centre of the security conversation in the age of AI and non-human identities

• How Microsoft’s security stack evolved from early Azure and Defender investment into the broader ecosystem we now see across Sentinel, Purview, and AI security

• What changed in Luke’s career when he moved from engineering into architecture, go-to-market, and commercial leadership

• Why CyberONE chose to specialise so deeply in Microsoft security and how that has accelerated its growth

• What MISA, MXDR verified status, and Microsoft’s security ecosystem actually mean for partners and customers

• Why any serious AI adoption needs to start with a data security mindset

• How organisations should think about agent sprawl, shadow AI, and the risks of unmanaged non-human identities

• Why data security remains one of the most overlooked parts of many organisations’ security posture

• Why Luke believes a SOC should be one of the first investments a business makes, not one of the last

• How CyberONE is using AI internally to strengthen human-led security operations rather than replace them

💬 Memorable Quotes

“identity is that is a key part of security.”

“any adoption of AI generally needs to come with a data security mindset.”

“organizations who were early adopters of the various copilot products likely have agents floating around that don't have an identity associated.”

“assume breach or assume compromise.”

“get a SOC. Just get a SOC. Don't make that the last thing you invest in.”

📬 Enjoyed the Episode?

Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insight-led conversations on cyber security, AI, leadership, partnerships, and scale across the Microsoft ecosystem.

🔗 Links & Resources

Connect with Luke Elston on LinkedIn

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/luelston/

Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/

Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/clouddecisions

What does it really look like to build a business in the Microsoft ecosystem, sell it, and then do it all again? In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli sits down with Mags Totten, CRO at Yavrio and one of the most well-known commercial leaders in the Microsoft partner community, to unpack a career shaped by reinvention, timing, and a clear ability to spot where the market is heading next. From launching IA Cubed at the moment cloud was becoming the next major shift, to building Akari around accessibility and automation, to stepping into the ISV world with Yavrio, Mags shares what it takes to keep evolving while staying commercially sharp. This is a conversation about much more than startup success. Mags reflects on what changed when IA Cubed shifted from a lifestyle business into a company built for exit, what she learned from navigating post-acquisition integration, and why the Microsoft partner ecosystem has been such an important constant across every chapter of her journey. She also explains how her second company was shaped by a more personal mission, and why she still believes the best operators are the ones who can see what’s coming just before everyone else does. Along the way, the conversation explores cloud adoption, accessibility, modern work, product-led growth, partner strategy, the move from services into ISV, and what the next growth chapter at Yavrio could look like. For founders, Microsoft partners, commercial leaders, and anyone trying to build something meaningful in the ecosystem, this episode offers a grounded look at what it means to start, scale, exit, and start again. If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why Mags launched IA Cubed at the point cloud was becoming the next big market shift • How personal loss changed the company’s trajectory from lifestyle business to exit-focused growth • What Mags learned while building a business that investors would want to buy • Why brand, relationships, and ecosystem presence mattered so much in attracting acquisition interest • What the reality of post-acquisition integration looks like for founders, teams, and customers • How an accessibility event helped spark the vision behind Akari • Why technology became a bridge for inclusion, and how that shaped Akari’s early direction • What changed when Mags moved from service-led growth into the world of product and ISVs • Why Microsoft is putting bigger strategic focus on ISVs and ecosystem extensibility • What drew Mags to Yavrio and why she believes it’s the right business at the right time Memorable Quotes “we decided that we were going to be Scotland's first cloud champion.” “we started looking at how we would build a company to exit, which was brand new to me.” “It's a very steep learning curve and it's something you have to learn on the job, not alongside the job.” “I can usually see what's going to come just before it starts to come.” “what we're trying to do is change how fintech works.” Enjoyed the Episode? Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insight-led conversations on leadership, growth, partnerships, technology, and scale across the Microsoft ecosystem. Links & Resources Connect with Margaret Totten on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/margarettotten/Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/clouddecisions About Cloud Decisions Cloud Decisions helps Microsoft Partners and Microsoft-aligned businesses build high-performing teams across Cloud, Data, Security, and AI. As a trusted Microsoft Talent Partner, we combine deep ecosystem knowledge with data-led hiring strategies to help organisations scale securely and sustainably in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

“I can usually see what’s coming… just before it starts to come.”

That ability to spot what’s next before the market catches up is what separates good operators from great founders.

In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, we sit down with Mags Totten to unpack a career built on seeing shifts early… and acting on them.

From building Scotland’s first cloud-focused business…
To scaling with an exit in mind…
To now operating at the intersection of finance and technology…

This is a conversation about timing, conviction, and building with intent.

In this episode, we explore:

This isn’t theory.

It’s lived experience from someone who’s built, scaled, and exited, and is now doing it again in a completely new space.

💬 If you’re a Microsoft Partner, founder, or operator:
Where do you think the next big shift is happening right now?

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders across the Microsoft ecosystem
🎧 Follow Microsoft Mentors for insights on cloud, AI, and Partner growth

What does Microsoft’s AI story actually look like now, once you get beyond the surface-level Copilot conversation? In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli sits down with Alex Pearce, Chief Strategist for Microsoft at Softcat and one of the UK’s longest-standing Microsoft MVPs, to unpack how the Microsoft AI landscape is evolving in real time. From the early days of Copilot as an in-app productivity tool to the rapid rise of agents, MCPs, extensibility, Microsoft Foundry, and frontier AI, Alex gives a grounded, practical view of what’s changing and what organisations need to understand next. This is a conversation about much more than product releases. Alex breaks down why the real opportunity in Microsoft AI is increasingly moving toward agentic workflows, richer context, and systems that can interact with data more intelligently. He also explains why Microsoft’s long-term edge may not always be first-mover innovation, but the ability to bring powerful AI capability into compliant, enterprise-ready environments. Along the way, the conversation explores frontier terminology, the growing role of MCPs as a foundational AI integration layer, the rise of shadow AI inside businesses, and why observability, quality assurance, and human oversight will become critical as agents get more capable. For Microsoft partners, technical leaders, and anyone trying to understand what comes after “just use Copilot,” this episode offers a clear lens on where the ecosystem is heading next. 👉 If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Alex says Copilot has evolved from a productivity tool into something much broader How Microsoft’s AI story now spans AI in Office, native AI apps, data and extensibility, and agentic platforms What Microsoft means by “frontier” — both as a transformation idea and a product lifecycle stage Why agents are creating more ROI than simple prompt-based use cases for many organisations How MCPs are becoming a foundational integration layer across Microsoft and other AI ecosystems Why context quality still drives output quality in AI and agent design Where Microsoft may hold an advantage over other AI vendors when compliance and governance matter How shadow AI is becoming a real commercial and operational risk inside organisations Why infrastructure, hyperscaler demand, and hardware constraints may shape the next phase of AI growth Why observability and quality assurance could become one of the most important disciplines in agentic AI 💬 Memorable Quotes “copilot is getting complicated, but for the good.” “it’s copilot not autopilot at this point.” “the more context you can give, the better the output.” “Microsoft will always bring these and go, there you go. Now you can use it in a GDPR data center.” “Quality assurance and observability with agentic is going to be so important. If you want to start a startup today, build that.” 📬 Enjoyed the Episode? Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insight-led conversations on cyber security, AI, leadership, and scale inside the Microsoft Partner ecosystem: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7175453155780915200 🔗 Links & Resources Connect with Alex Pearce on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajp15/Explore Softcat 👉https://www.softcat.com/Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/clouddecisions 🏢 About Cloud Decisions Cloud Decisions helps Microsoft Partners and Microsoft-aligned businesses build high-performing teams across Cloud, Data, Security, and AI.

Most Microsoft Partners don’t have a demand problem.

They have a talent problem.

In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli and Alex break down what’s really driving growth (and friction) inside the Microsoft Partner ecosystem, from Azure hiring challenges to scaling delivery teams effectively.

This is a straight-talking conversation about:

If you’re building or leading a Microsoft practice, this episode will feel very familiar, and probably challenge a few assumptions too.

How do you build a standout career in technology while staying relevant through every major shift in the Microsoft ecosystem? In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli sits down with James Pearse, CTO at ATEC Cloud, to unpack a career built on momentum, curiosity, and stepping outside the comfort zone. From early systems administration and consultancy pressure to Microsoft, global nonprofit work, cloud security, and building a modern Microsoft partner, James shares the moments that shaped his thinking and the principles that have served him throughout. Drawing on more than 20 years in technology, James reflects on what it takes to grow through change, lead with credibility under pressure, and stay commercially relevant as cloud, security, and AI continue to reshape the market. The conversation also explores where customer demand is heading now, why AI needs stronger governance, and what real differentiation looks like for Microsoft partners trying to stand out in an increasingly crowded market. 👉 If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

💡What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy James believes the best careers in tech are built by putting your hand up How moving from internal IT into consultancy changed the pressure and pace of delivery What James learned from working with Microsoft and leading technology engagements for the United Nations How cloud and security became the defining inflection points in his career What it takes to build credibility and project clarity in leadership roles Why Microsoft partners need sharper focus to differentiate in a crowded market How ATEC Cloud approached growth across security, managed services, and the wider Microsoft ecosystem Why AI security and governance are becoming critical as agents and copilots scale How to separate genuine AI use cases from simple workflow and automation problems Why the next phase of opportunity for Microsoft partners will depend on depth, clarity, and specialism

💬 Memorable Quotes“You can’t be afraid to ever step outside your comfort zone. You can’t be ever afraid to not put your hand up.” “You need to be able to portray that this is what we’re doing, this is why we’re doing it and this is how we’re going to do it.” “AI is really starting to pick up momentum, but no one’s really thinking about security of it.” “AI isn’t going to solve everything.” “You can’t be a jack of all trades because you’re being an expert at nothing.” 📬 Enjoyed the Episode?Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insight-led conversations on cyber security, AI, leadership, and scale inside the Microsoft Partner ecosystem: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7175453155780915200

🔗Links & Resources Connect with James Pearse on LinkedIn 👉https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamespearse/Explore ATEC Cloud 👉https://atech.cloud/Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/clouddecisions 🏢 About Cloud DecisionsCloud Decisions helps Microsoft Partners and Microsoft-aligned businesses build high-performing teams across Cloud, Data, Security, and AI. As a trusted Microsoft Talent Partner, we combine deep ecosystem knowledge with data-led hiring strategies to help organisations scale securely and sustainably in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Everyone’s talking about AI.

Almost no one is talking about securing it.

In this clip, James Pearse shares why:

If you're working in Microsoft 365, Azure, or security, this matters.

🎧 Watch the full Microsoft Mentors episode tomorrow, 1 April!

Think cyber attacks start with malware?

Think again.

In this clip, Microsoft Security MVP Charlie Gough explains:

This is the shift every Microsoft Partner needs to understand.

🎧 Full episode is live!

What does “secure by design” actually look like in a modern Microsoft environment? In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli sits down with Charlie Gough, Microsoft Security MVP and Security Architect at Brightsolid, to explore why identity, not infrastructure, has become the true security perimeter. Drawing on over 20 years in IT, from early database and infrastructure roles through consultancy and into Microsoft security architecture, Charlie shares how the industry has shifted from traditional perimeter-based defence to identity-first, Zero Trust models built on Microsoft Entra. This conversation dives into the real-world challenges organisations still face: low MFA adoption, password-based authentication lingering in critical systems, resistance to change from business stakeholders, and the misconception that security is still “an IT problem.” We also explore AI governance, Copilot risk, shadow AI usage, Entra Verified ID, and how Charlie is helping evolve Brightsolid into a Microsoft-aligned, security-first hybrid cloud provider. Secure by design isn’t about buying more tools. It’s about designing identity, access, and governance correctly from day one. 👉 If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why identity is now the biggest attack vector in cybersecurity The evolution from Active Directory to Microsoft Entra Why MFA adoption is still lower than most people assume How conditional access and phishing-resistant authentication reduce real-world risk Why security is no longer an IT problem — it’s a business responsibility The practical application of Zero Trust principles How AI and Copilot introduce new governance challenges The risks of blocking AI tools and creating shadow usage The role of Entra Verified ID in the future of digital identity How to build a scalable Microsoft security capability inside a hybrid cloud provider 💬 Memorable Quotes “If anything’s going to get breached, it’s not going to be a device. It’s always going to come down to the identity.” “That password based authentication is so easy now to get past and just having that second factor can make a huge, huge difference.” “It’s not anymore. It’s a business problem.” “If you block Copilot or Copilot for 365, users are going to use their phone. They’re going to find a way of doing it.” “I think we’ll see more movement in the next 12 months, 18 months, as AI becomes more and more mainstream.” 📬 Enjoyed the Episode? Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insight-led conversations on cyber security, AI, leadership, and scale inside the Microsoft Partner ecosystem: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7175453155780915200 🔗 Links & Resources Connect with Charlie Gough on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliegough/Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliridley/ Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/clouddecisions Explore Brightsolid 👉 http://www.brightsolid.com/🏢 About Cloud Decisions Cloud Decisions helps Microsoft Partners and Microsoft-aligned businesses build high-performing teams across Cloud, Data, Security, and AI. As a trusted Microsoft Talent Partner, we combine deep ecosystem knowledge with data-led hiring strategies to help organisations scale securely and sustainably in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

How do you build a cybersecurity business in a world where attackers are using AI faster than defenders? In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli sits down with Matt Lovell, Founder of CloudGuard, to unpack the thinking behind building an automation-first cyber security platform designed to protect organisations that face enterprise-level threats without enterprise-level resources. Drawing on 35 years in technology, Matt shares how CloudGuard emerged from real-world delivery pressure; overwhelmed security teams, manual SOC processes, rising burnout, and a threat landscape accelerating faster than humans can reasonably respond. The answer wasn’t more people. It was automation, focus, and intelligent use of AI. This conversation explores the future of cyber defence, from phishing and impersonation attacks to generative AI, deepfakes, and why trust is becoming the most fragile asset in digital business. 👉If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode1. Why CloudGuard was built to be automation-first from day one 2. The real limitations of manual security operations centres (SOCs) 3. How AI is reshaping both cyber attacks and cyber defence 4. Why phishing, impersonation, and social engineering remain the biggest risks 5. How attackers exploit human trust, not just technical vulnerabilities 6. The role of Microsoft Sentinel and the wider Microsoft security ecosystem 7. Why many organisations already own the tools they need, but don’t use them 8. Practical cyber security priorities for SMBs heading into 2026 9. How threat intelligence improves detection and response at scale 10. Leadership lessons from building and scaling specialist tech businesses 💬Memorable Quotes“Attackers are far smarter in their use of AI than most organisations are prepared for.” “Automation isn’t about replacing people, it’s about making security sustainable.” “Too many businesses think they’re more secure than they actually are.” “You can’t rely on human instinct alone to defend against modern cyber threats.” “Technology should solve a clearly defined problem, not search for one.” 📬Enjoyed the Episode?Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insight-led conversations on cyber security, AI, leadership, and scale inside the Microsoft Partner ecosystem: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7175453155780915200 🔗Links & ResourcesConnect with Matt Lovell on LinkedIn 👉https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-lovell/Explore CloudGuard 👉 https://cloudguard.ai/Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn 👉https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn 👉https://www.linkedin.com/company/clouddecisions🏢 About Cloud DecisionsCloud Decisions helps Microsoft Partners and Microsoft-aligned businesses build high-performing teams across Cloud, Data, Security, and AI. As a trusted Microsoft Talent Partner, we combine deep ecosystem knowledge with data-led hiring strategies to help organisations scale securely and sustainably in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Daily change is the new normal in the Microsoft ecosystem.

New AI releases.
New Copilot capabilities.
New customer expectations.

The temptation?
Adopt everything. Move faster. Push harder.

But speed without clarity creates burnout.
And burnout kills delivery.

In this clip from Microsoft Mentors, Matt Lovell (CloudGuard) explains why:

• Reinvention is now part of every cloud career• AI won’t replace trust, judgement, or leadership• Succession planning is becoming urgent for Microsoft Partners• Perspective beats reaction in fast markets

The Partners who win won’t be tool-rich.

They’ll be resilient.

Full episode goes live tomorrow, 25 Feb @ noon (London time).

What does it really take to win Microsoft Partner of the Year, and more importantly, to build a business capable of earning it?

In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli sits down with Rob Young, Founder and CEO of Infinity Group, to unpack the 25-year journey behind their transformation from a traditional MSP into a pure-play Microsoft Partner, culminating in global recognition as Microsoft Partner of the Year.

Rob shares the real story behind the award, not just the headline moment, but the years of strategic decisions that led to it: walking away from legacy revenue, committing fully to the Microsoft ecosystem, investing early in Dynamics 365 and Business Central, and embracing customer-zero adoption long before it became fashionable.

This is a candid, experience-led conversation about Microsoft partner strategy, business applications, cloud transformation, AI adoption, and leadership at scale grounded in reality, not hype.

👉If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

💬Memorable Quotes

“We actually lost a customer, and that was a massive eye-opener for us.”

“If we wanted Microsoft to believe in us, we had to be all in across the stack.”

“AI is just another business application if you don’t understand the problem you’re trying to solve.”

“We went through the same pain as our customers; data, security, governance.”

“You’ve got to let go and trust people if you want the business to scale.”

📬 Enjoyed the Episode?

Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insights, episodes, and leadership lessons from across the Microsoft Partner ecosystem:

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7175453155780915200

🔗 Links & Resources

Connect with Rob Young on LinkedIn

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyounginfinitygroup/

Explore Infinity Group

👉 https://www.infinitygroup.co.uk/

Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/

Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn

👉 https://www.clouddecisions.co.uk/

🏢 About Cloud Decisions

Cloud Decisions helps Microsoft Partners and Microsoft-aligned businesses build high-performing teams across Cloud, Data, Security, and AI.

As a trusted Microsoft Talent Partner, we combine deep ecosystem knowledge with data-led hiring strategies to help organisations scale sustainably and stay competitive as Microsoft technologies evolve.

What happens when a deeply technical engineer has to stop doing everything themselves, and learn to lead instead?

In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli sits down with Iain Williamson, Practice Lead for Cloud Platform & Security at Intelogy, to explore a 25-year career journey shaped by long-term growth, trust, and one of the hardest transitions in tech: letting go of hands-on delivery to step into strategic leadership.

From joining a small, startup-style Microsoft consultancy with no formal academic tech pathway, to leading cloud and security strategy at board level, Iain shares what it really takes to evolve from engineer to leader without losing your technical edge.

This is a candid conversation about career longevity, delegation, cloud and security realities, and why modern Microsoft Partners must focus on outcomes, not just technology.

👉 If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

💬 Memorable Quotes

“It was tricky because I like rolling my sleeves up and getting stuck in… I had to learn the art of delegation.”

“You stop talking to engineers and start talking to CIOs and CISOs, the language has to change.”

“Just because you’re in the cloud doesn’t mean you’re secure.”

“The days of a transacting partner are long gone.”

“If you feel supported, trusted, and listened to, that’s why you stay.”

📬 Enjoyed the Episode?

Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insights, episodes, and hiring data across the Microsoft Partner ecosystem:

👉https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7175453155780915200

🔗Links & Resources

Connect with Iain Williamson on LinkedIn:

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/iainwilliamson/

Explore Intelogy:

👉 https://www.intelogy.co.uk/

Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn:

👉https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/

Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn:

👉https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloud-decisions/about/

🏢 About Cloud Decisions

Cloud Decisions helps Microsoft Partners and customers build world-class technical teams across Cloud, Data, Security, and AI.

As a trusted Microsoft Talent Partner, we combine deep Microsoft ecosystem knowledge with data-led hiring strategies to help organisations scale faster, smarter, and with confidence.

Why does leadership feel harder than engineering?

In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Iain Williamson, Practice Lead at Intelogy, shares what the transition from hands-on technical delivery to senior leadership really looks like after nearly 25 years inside the same Microsoft Partner.

We discuss:
• Why technical excellence can limit impact at scale• The mindset shift from doing the work to enabling outcomes• Why cloud doesn’t equal secure by default• How AI and Copilot are surfacing long-standing gaps

This episode is for engineers moving into leadership, practice leads, and Microsoft Partners building cloud, security, and AI services for the long term.

🎧 Full episode drops tomorrow, 11 Feb!

What happens when you start an IT business at 20 years old, wing it for years, scale it to a multi-million-pound MSP, and then realise the biggest problem in the industry isn’t technology, it’s trust? 

In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli sits down with Mit Patel, founder of Netstar and now CEO of Assurix, to unpack a 25-year journey through the MSP and Microsoft Partner ecosystem. 

From early days learning IT by trial and error, to building and exiting a successful MSP, Mit shares why differentiation in the MSP market is broken, why most SMEs struggle to choose the right provider, and why “proof trumps the promise” when it comes to security and service delivery. 

This is a candid, insight-led conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, and what it really takes to raise standards across the MSP industry without fear-mongering or shortcuts. 

👉 If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode 

How Mit built and scaled an MSP from scratch, starting at just 20 years old 

Why most MSPs sound identical to buyers, and how that hurts the whole industry 

The hidden problem of “invisible security” for SMEs 

Why trust, proof, and operational maturity matter more than marketing claims 

What changes when MSPs stop competing on price and start competing on outcomes 

How Assurix was born out of real-world MSP and buyer failures 

💬 Memorable Quotes 

“All MSPs sound the same to SMEs. They all say the same stuff.” 

“I had no idea about strategy. I had no idea what to do. We were pretty much winging it.” 

“They don’t understand when security isn’t good because it’s invisible.” 

“Proof trumps the promise.” 

“We’re trying to raise the bar in our industry and help good MSPs win.” 

📬 Enjoyed the Episode? 

Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insights, episodes, and hiring data across the Microsoft Partner ecosystem: 
👉 https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7175453155780915200 

🔗 Links & Resources 

Connect with Mit Patel on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitassurix/ 

Explore Assurix: https://assurix.com/ 

Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/

Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/clouddecisions 

🏢 About Cloud Decisions 

Cloud Decisions helps Microsoft Partners and customers build world-class technical teams across Cloud, Data, Security, and AI. 

As a trusted Microsoft Talent Partner, we connect businesses with the skills and insight they need to scale effectively inside the Microsoft ecosystem. 

Our approach blends deep partner knowledge with data-led hiring strategies, helping organisations grow faster, smarter, and stronger. 

When all MSPs sound the same, the wrong ones keep winning.

That’s the uncomfortable reality Mit Patel breaks down in this episode of Microsoft Mentors.

After 25 years building, scaling, and exiting an MSP, Mit explains why differentiation in the MSP market has failed, and how that failure creates real risk for customers and real frustration for high-quality providers.

We get into:
• Why buyers rely on the wrong signals• How promises replaced proof• Why security weaknesses stay hidden until it’s too late• And what has to change if MSPs want to compete on value, not price

This isn’t theory.
It’s the result of decades inside the ecosystem.

▶️ Watch the trailer.Full episode goes live tomorrow.

What happens when you grow up coding on an Amstrad and end up leading one of the UK’s most forward-thinking Microsoft Partners?

For Helen Gelling, curiosity wasn’t just a childhood hobby. It became the foundation for a career that’s spanned continents, cloud revolutions, and courageous leadership decisions. In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, Oli sits down with Helen Gerling, CEO of Shaping Cloud, to unpack her lifelong journey through technology, from dial-up modems and AOL chatrooms to leading cloud, data and AI transformation for UK organisations. Helen shares how an early fascination with technology shaped her worldview, why curiosity beats credentials when hiring, and the pivotal moment she turned down a senior government role to lead Shaping Cloud. It’s an honest, energising conversation about the people side of tech, and how staying curious can change the course of your career. 👉 If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, follow and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Helen’s early curiosity for technology sparked a lifelong career in cloud and data Why loving what you do matters more than formal qualifications in today’s tech landscape What makes a great leader in a rapidly changing Microsoft Partner ecosystem How Helen navigated a major career crossroads and chose leadership over comfort Why the best technologists are still the most curious learners 💬 Memorable Quotes “I feel like I was born into tech. By five or six I was coding on an Amstrad at home.” “Some of the hackers I met online tried to take over my computer and some of them succeeded! But I was just curious, not malicious.” “I’m less interested in qualifications. I look for hunger, that curiosity for all that tech can do.” “Don’t do tech just for the money. Do it because you love it, and there’s loads of opportunity if you do.” “It’s a rare opportunity to be gifted the chance to lead a company and make something of it.” 📬 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to the Microsoft Mentors Newsletter for insights, episodes, and hiring data across the Microsoft Partner ecosystem: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7175453155780915200 🔗 Links & Resources Connect with Helen Gelling on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-gerling-b031093/Explore Shaping Cloud: http://www.shapingcloud.com/ Connect with Oli Ridley on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ridley/Follow Cloud Decisions on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloud-decisions/🏢 About Cloud Decisions Cloud Decisions helps Microsoft Partners and customers build world-class technical teams across Cloud, Data, Security and AI. As a trusted Microsoft Talent Partner, we connect businesses with the skills and insights they need to accelerate transformation. Our team combines deep ecosystem knowledge with data-led hiring strategies, helping organisations grow faster, smarter, and stronger in the Microsoft Cloud.

Most tech careers don’t stall because the tools change.

They stall because judgement doesn’t.

This episode of Microsoft Mentors is about what actually compounds over time.

Not credentials.

Not frameworks.

But the decisions people make when there’s no clear answer.

We talk about:

How leadership evolves as responsibility increases

This episode is for people playing the long game in tech — and for leaders who want to build teams that last.

🎧 Full episode drops tomorrow!

Most Microsoft partners don’t fail because of tech.

They fail because of decisions.

This is Trailer One for Microsoft Mentors — Series 3.

Five leaders.

20+ year careers.

No interest in hype.

This series breaks down:

Why “differentiation” usually isn’t

What actually drives long-term scale

How leaders survive multiple tech cycles

Why consistency beats intensity every time

Not motivation.

Operating principles.

This is the first drop.

More coming.

Series 3 launches Wednesday, 28 January.

What happens when you give a start-up mindset the scale of a global giant? 

100,000+ employees. 
Global systems integrator. 
Layers of process that can slow anyone to a crawl. 

And yet, a Microsoft business unit emerged that runs like a start-up. 
Fast. 
Innovative. 
Able to get new ideas to market before the keynote’s even finished. 

In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, we cover: 

-The “creep” from hands-on engineer to strategic leader (and how to plan for it) 
-Why leaving after 17 years made him better when he came back 
-How to build GTM plans before Satya’s even finished the keynote 
-The real enterprise play in Sovereign Cloud & AI 
-Why upskilling sales teams is just as important as technical teams 
-Leading with ambition and humanity inside a huge organisation 

Adam’s career path is part roadmap, part reality check for anyone trying to move fast in a big corporate without breaking it. 

🎧 Full episode live now! 

If you’ve tried to build a Microsoft practice inside a big corporate, how did it go? 

Think you need a master's degree to lead global Microsoft Security Strategy?Wrong, Jason Revill started with a train ticket to Hull, now he is.... Global Microsoft Security Practice Director at Avanade! Shaping Security strategy used by the world’s biggest enterprises in the GenAI era. But his career started with a £7k loan, a train to Hull and a big bet on becoming an expert in Microsoft technology hardly anyone knew how to use! 🎙️ On this week’s Microsoft Mentors: ➡The £7k bet that unlocked his career (and why MIM still has a place in his heart) ➡ Building Avanade’s Security Practice from scratch ➡ Moving from IC to global leader without losing touch with tech ➡ Copilot, agents, and what’s next for Microsoft Security This one’s for you if you're: 👉 Trying to stand out in a crowded consultancy 👉 Wrestling with the IC → Manager transition 👉 Wondering what to bet on next 🔊 Full episode live now! #MicrosoftSecurity #Leadership #Copilot #CareerInTech #ForefrontIdentityManager #MicrosoftPartner #Podcast #Avanade

Straight out of university, he and two mates launched a small MSP in Austin.No capital.No customers.No business degrees.Just curiosity, grit, and a knack for solving real tech problems.Fast forward 25 years…Shane Gronniger is now CEO of GCS Technologies, one of Texas’ top Microsoft Partners:➡️ 45+ employees➡️ 100s of long-term clients➡️ Still 100% privately owned➡️ Still no outbound sales teamHis growth strategy?Earn trust. Educate clients. Stay hands-on with the tech.No lock-in. No fluff. Just real work and real relationships.In this week’s Microsoft Mentors, Shane shares the blueprint:➡️ Why GCS bet big on Microsoft-first security➡️ How to grow without sales reps or investors➡️ What “AI readiness” really looks like in the SMB market➡️ How to keep clients loyal with zero contractsIf you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to go from support engineer to Microsoft Partner CEO, this is your episode.What would you tell your younger self starting out in tech?

How do you deliver outcomes, no matter the platform? 
Everyone has the same tools. The difference is what you do with them. 
 
That’s the ethos behind Telana, the new force born from Ancoris + Sundown Solutions. 
 
This week on Microsoft Mentors, we unpack how Telana is blending Azure and GCP to deliver applied innovation, not just technology. 
 
Because here’s the truth: 
✅ Innovation isn’t tech for tech’s sake 
✅ Buyers don’t care about cloud loyalty 
✅ It’s all about solving real business problems 
 
So… Azure or GCP? 
Wrong question. 
 
The most exciting projects in 2025 are multi-platform by design because customers want outcomes, not infrastructure debates. 
 
Telana is delivering those outcomes: 
 
>£1.5M annual savings for a retail client through smarter data 
>Real-time clinical environments running seamlessly on GCP 
>Strategic AI adoption on both Microsoft and Google stacks 
 
@André Azevedo has seen this play before; from Cloudreach’s 30→1000 headcount growth to building Telana’s brand that’s purpose-built for this next era. 
 
We talked: 
➡️ What applied innovation actually looks like in the field 
➡️ Why Microsoft + Google is a strength, not a split 
➡️ The leadership lessons that shaped Telana’s launch 
 
Are you designing your cloud strategy around platforms or outcomes? 
 
#Azure #GCP #CloudStrategy #MicrosoftPartners #InnovationLeadership #AppliedInnovation #MicrosoftMentors #Telana #CloudTransformation   

IBM & Microsoft.  
Once fierce rivals. Now strategic partners. 

If you'd said this in the 80s in the midst of the PC wars, you'd be laughed out of the server room. 

Fast forward to today, IBM have a strong strategic partnership with Microsoft and have  launched a dedicated Microsoft Practice. 
 
Why? 

Because transformation at enterprise scale now demands collaboration at enterprise scale. 

🟦 Azure 
🟨 Fabric 
🟩 Copilot 
🟪 AI at the edge of every workflow 

Customers are looking for aligned ecosystems.  
 
And IBM’s new Microsoft Practice puts decades of enterprise consulting muscle behind Microsoft’s modern cloud stack. 

In this week's Microsoft Mentors podcast, I sat down with Tim Callahan to unpack: 
➡️ The vision behind IBM’s Microsoft Practice 
➡️ What this means for Azure customers (hint: faster idea-to-impact) 
➡️ How IBM is restructuring to fuel transformation, not turf wars 
➡️ And why, in a world racing toward AI, it’s not about picking sides, it’s about building bridges 

This episode is packed with insight, nuance, and a few throwbacks to OCS and Blue Yonder mailboxes 👴 

What do you make of the IBM + Microsoft alignment?  

It started with two people in a pub… and ended with 250 people queuing outside a packed-out Azure event. 

That’s how you build credibility in the Microsoft ecosystem. 

Before Azure was mainstream, Elastacloud were deep in the weeds. Writing tools, building community, and backing the tech nobody else cared about (yet). 

Richard Conway and Andy Cross didn’t just spot the trend. 
They help make it happen. 

➡️ Founded the UK Azure user group 
➡️ Trained 200+ Microsoft Partners 
➡️ Got seconded by Microsoft to onboard customers at scale 

That traction led to big data specialism, high-performance projects, and eventually, acquisition by Acora. 

Now Richard’s CTO of a modern MSP, helping mid-market customers navigate the same cloud journey Elastacloud once pioneered. 

If you’re trying to build credibility as a Microsoft Partner, this is how it’s done. 

Since refocusing his attention on his own health and fitness (and dropping 30kg!) Hugh rediscovered his energy and built a culture that runs (literally) on wellbeing. 

His big realisation? 

Making time for your health + fitness doesn’t slow the business down. 
It supercharges it. 

🏃 Valto Run Club now takes 10+ people out every Thursday 
⛰️ They’ve just hiked all 15 Welsh 3000s in under 24 hours for charity 
💬 And some of the most honest business conversations now happen mid-jog, not in boardrooms 
 

And it’s led to clear, measureable results for the business... ➡️ Stress is lower 
➡️ Retention is up 
➡️ Performance is stronger 
➡️ And the business has scaled to 50+ people with a genuine culture of care 

Hugh shares the full story on this week’s episode of Microsoft Mentors;from burnout to business breakthrough, and how he's weaving wellbeing into the Microsoft Partner playbook. 

If you're a founder, leader, or future CEO in the Microsoft space... 
This one’s a blueprint for building a business that’s fit for scale, and fit for life. 

Grow to scale or grow to sustain?
The founder dilemma no one talks about enough.

Big vision. Bigger risks.
And a million micro-decisions in between.

This week’s Microsoft Mentors Live is a proper deep dive with Mitesh Chauhan — founder of LA Net.

We cover the gritty side of building a Microsoft services business from scratch:

Wearing every hat — delivery, sales, accounting, hiring

Training talent from scratch (and watching them outgrow you 👀)

Walking away from easy revenue to protect your niche

The big question we kept circling back to:

➡️ Are you building to scale?
➡️ Or building to sustain?

Two very different mindsets.Two very different outcomes.
Neither wrong — but one will burn you out if you’re not honest about what you're really chasing.

🎙️ It’s one of my favourite chats so far — and a must-watch for anyone growing an MSP, Microsoft Partner, or technical consultancy.

£18m → £100m revenue

50 staff → 170 employees

And a Microsoft Practice they never meant to build.

This week on Microsoft Mentors, I sat down with Rob Quickenden, CTO at Cisilion — who shared how a “defensive move” to stop losing Cisco clients to Skype for Business accidentally became their biggest growth engine.

We unpacked:💥 How Cisilion evolved from a Cisco-first shop to a dual-vendor powerhouse
💥 Why Teams was the tipping point — not just for tech, but talent
💥 The very real challenge of staying relevant as a Partner while growing fast
💥 And what’s next with Copilot and AI.

It’s rare to hear a Microsoft Partner story told this honestly.

"We've signed 15 new customers, hired 7 people and will have achieved x2 Microsoft Solution Partner designation in the first 12 months!"

Today’s Microsoft Mentors episode features Chris, co-founder of Mondo Cloud, one of the UK’s newest Microsoft CSPs!

➡️ From running bars in a football stadium

➡️ To leading Cloud transformation in a £100M+ MSP

➡️ To launching Mondo Cloud from scratch last October

It’s a story of betting on yourself, building from the ground up, and putting service levels back where they belong, at the centre of the relationship.

We covered: 

✔️ The MSP acquisition cycle, and why service breaks post-M&A

✔️ How 365 leads into Azure (and what to watch for)

✔️ Start-up pain points, tech stacks, and Partner Centre nightmares

✔️ Why “first fix” is Mondo’s north star

✔️ And his biggest learnings as a brand new CSP

🎙️ Listen here on LinkedIn Live or on Spotify / YouTube

If you’ve ever had to fight Partner Centre… You’ll feel Chris' pain 😅

"With Azure, you've won an empty bucket... and the right to fill it with gold."

That line from James Marshall stuck with me.

Because it perfectly sums up how different selling Azure is compared to traditional IT services.

In the old model? You won a deal, delivered the solution, and moved on.

In Azure? Winning the deal is just the start. You’ve won the right to go deeper — to fill that bucket with value, consumption, and impact.

💡 But here’s the catch: most partners are only filling that bucket a quarter full.

They do the first migration… maybe a DR plan… and stop there. Then it’s on to the next shiny new customer.

James and I dug into:

Why partners stall after the first project

The mindset shift from acquisition to expansion

How the best are using specialization, standardization, and data to scale

The “Rule of 78” and why Q1 is way more important than Q4

Why GenAI will follow the same journey infra engineers did with Azure

🔁 This episode was packed with insight for Microsoft Partners — especially those growing Azure practices in CSP.

If you’re building buckets and wondering how to fill them — or how to stop losing revenue through the holes — this one’s for you.

Ever wonder what actually happens at Microsoft's MVP Summit?

Azure MVP Jonathan D'Aloia gives us the low down...

Well, more of a feel for what it's all about... the event and MVP's are under NDA after all!

We covered a lot of ground though...

➡️ JD’s path to becoming an MVP, specialising in Infrastructure as Code with Bicep & Terraform

➡️ Real-world advice on building AI-ready data platforms using Azure Databricks, Fabric, and Synapse

➡️Tips for aspiring MVPs, how to start contributing, find your niche, and deal with imposter syndrome

➡️ What really happens at the MVP Summit: product feedback loops, deep dives with Microsoft product teams, and the power of in-person connection

➡️The story behind launching the Surrey Azure User Group

JD’s biggest takeaway?

Community is a game-changer. Whether it’s joining a user group, sharing knowledge online, or just connecting with others in the ecosystem... it all compounds.

🎧 Give this one a listen if you’re building solutions on Azure, eyeing the MVP program, or simply want to get a feel for what the MVP Summit is all about!

We'd planned 10 episode for Series 1, but guess what... we wanted to give you ONE more!

Not only that, but our first ever in person podcast with Curtis Milne, Microsoft Azure MVP for IaC and Liverpool's very first Microsoft MVP!

We talk about Curtis MVP journey, his passion for mentorship, IaC, Cloud Adoption Framework and much much more!

"The Microsoft Tech Community is in a rocky state in certain elements.. we're here to steady the ship"

This week on Microsoft Mentors: The Podcast, I'm joined by Ethan Sumner, CEO of DevEx Connect.

Ethan has been instrumental in the set up and growth of a number of Microsoft / DevOps Tech community groups.

He know first hand, just how difficult it can be to fund, maintain and grow users groups... the life blood of the tech community.

That's where DevEx Connect comes in... supporting community groups and brining the community together at global conferences!

AND if you're in the North West, you can experience DevEx Connect first hand next week (29th / 30th October).

I'll be there, Camera and Microphone in hand so what more reason do you need to get your tickets ASAP!

Link to podcast and event in the comments 👍

We'll be back on LinkedIn Live in a couple of weeks once we finally work out this bloody tech issue!

Manchester Summit - DevEx Connect

COVID nearly killed in-person tech events!

But the Microsoft Cloud community wasn't having it... it was time for them to step in!

This week on Microsoft Mentors: The Podcast I'm joined by Nathan Sweeney.

Nathan in a MVP for Microsoft Azure, AzureAI and M365 Co-Pilot Lead at KPMG and co-founder of The South Coast Summit... one of the UK's largest community led Microsoft Tech conferences.

We delve in his career, the rapid emergence of Azure / M365 AI capabilities and of course, hear the true behind the scenes story of why South Coast Summit was launched and the work it takes to run it!

Listen here on Spotify, Linkedin Live or wherever you get your podcasts!

Me: What have you learnt from 27 years working with Microsoft Technologies?

Ed: Change is a constant inevitability!

This week on Microsoft Mentors: The Podcast, I'm joined by Ed O'Brien, Cloud Practice Director at Sopra Steria.

Starting out in IT in 1997, building Microsoft solutions has been a focus for Ed since day one.

Now he spends his time, building and scaling Cloud Practices to deliver cloud excellence for customers.

We dive into the change in the IT landscape over the course of Ed's career, the massive impact cloud can have for any organisation and how close we are to an AI takeover.

Tune in here on Spotify or wherever you get your podcast!

How the hell do you become a Head of Cloud by aged 30?

Ryan: Well, it started like this...

This week on Microsoft Mentors: The Podcast, I'm talking to Ryan Haraburda - Head of Cloud @ Tesco... all by aged 30.

Ryan's career has sky rocketed, from IT Apprentice to Head of Cloud in less than 15 years.

If you want a lesson in drive, determination, self-reflection and self-learning... grab a cuppa and listen up.

On LinkedIn Live or wherever you listen to your podcast ;)

No matter how skilled the individual team or how reputable the employer... mentorship still plays a MASSIVE part in your career development! 

This week on Microsoft Mentors: The Podcast, I'm joined by Richard Cheney - Azure Practice Lead at Cloud Direct (Azure Expert MSP). 

Richard's career in Microsoft technologies spans over a decade including over 7 working closely with Microsoft Partners to develop their Public Cloud proposition for Microsoft. 

My conversation with Richard hits right at the heart of what Microsoft mentors is all about... 

Having open conversation with the successful leaders in the Microsoft eco-system, so we can all learn from their experiences and offer mentorship at scale to the community! 

You don't have to be a techie to work in tech!

That's the biggest lesson from todays episode of Microsoft Mentors; The podcast with Paris King from Softcat!

We delve into Paris' first step into the Tech Industry in Softcat's graduate scheme, her progression through a number of different roles within their Microsoft business and ultimately to her current role as Head of Cloud Alliance and Customer Experience.

If you're interested in tech but don't want to be a hands-on techie... Paris' journey is a great example of other career paths within the IT Channel.

Security is, or at least should be, at the heart of all IT strategy... especially in the Cloud.

This week on Microsoft Mentors: The Podcast, I'm joined by Ru Campbell... Microsoft Security MVP and Microsoft Security Practice Lead at Microsoft Security Partner of the Year Winner ThreatScape.

We discuss Ru's route to becoming a Microsoft MVP, his role at Threatscape helping organisations overcome the challenges they face face in cybersecurity, the importance of leveraging the native security features within Microsoft licenses and the future of Microsoft security, including the move to passwordless authentication and the role of generative AI.

Ever wondered how you become a CTO?

This week on Microsoft Mentors: The Podacst, we unpick the career journey of Paul Bevis, CTO at Microsoft Solutions Partner, FSP.

We track Paul's career from Developer, through his time as a Technical/Solutions Architect and ultimately to his current role as CTO.

Paul gives us his insight into digital transformation, the rise of AI and how his position on Tech UK's Cloud Committee helps influence national policy on technology!

Alex Pearce shares his career journey in the tech industry, starting from his work experience at a hospital to becoming a network manager in a school.

He discusses the impact of cloud computing and Microsoft's free services on education.

Alex also talks us through his experience as a Microsoft MVP and the importance of community and knowledge sharing.

He then shares his transition from running his own business to joining Softcat as the Chief Strategist for Microsoft and Education.

The conversation explores the different aspects of Microsoft Copilot and how organizations can leverage its capabilities. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the various versions of Copilot and utilizing the features already available in Microsoft 365 licenses.

The conversation also highlights the significance of learning how to prompt Copilot effectively and the potential for AI to enhance productivity.

In this episode of Microsoft Mentors, we dive into the career of John Savill, one of the most recognisable names in the world of Microsoft Azure.

We discuss John's early passion for technology and how it has steered his career journey towards his current role in the Office of the CTO at Microsoft.

John started his YouTube channel as a hobby and it has now grown into one of the most widely cited sources of Azure knowledge in the world, acting as a platform for both John and the wider Microsoft community to stay up to date with the rapid rate of change in Microsoft Cloud technologies.

If you're passionate about Cloud and want to learn from the career journey of one of the biggest names in the Microsoft community, then put your headphones in and enjoy!

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Early Spark in Technology

04:20

Transitioning from Hobby to Work

08:01

Becoming Involved with Microsoft Technologies

14:38

Joining Microsoft and Evolving Roles

23:01

Current Role in the Office of the CTO

25:23

John Savill's YouTube Channel

27:49

The Importance of Giving Back

29:44

Staying Up to Date with Cloud Technologies

38:11

The Collaborative and Engaged Microsoft Community