The Connaught Trust is a small to medium sized UK charity supporting its operations through a largely cloud based IT environment. The organisation relies on Microsoft 365 for email and document management, with files stored in SharePoint. It is supported by a mix of part time staff and volunteer trustees, requiring simple, secure, and accessible systems to enable collaboration across a distributed team.
As the organisation evolved, its technology environment had grown without a clear structure or long-term management strategy. While Microsoft 365 was in place, the SharePoint environment had become increasingly difficult to navigate, making it challenging for users to find and manage information efficiently. Inconsistent permissions and document structures created uncertainty around governance and data management, while the overall user experience required improvement.
Several end-user devices were approaching end of life and no longer aligned with modern security standards, increasing operational risk and limiting the organisation’s ability to take advantage of newer Microsoft features. In addition, there was limited visibility around backup and recovery capabilities within the Microsoft 365 environment, creating concerns about resilience and business continuity.
The organisation wanted greater confidence in its systems, clearer reporting on IT performance and a more proactive approach that would support future growth while reducing risk.
We began with a comprehensive best practice review of the organisation’s existing Microsoft 365 environment, infrastructure and end-user experience. This assessment provided a clear understanding of current challenges, identified areas requiring improvement and established a roadmap for modernisation.
A key focus of the project was the redevelopment of the SharePoint environment. Working closely with stakeholders, we reviewed the existing structure, simplified navigation and introduced a clearer document management framework. Permissions were redesigned to align with organisational requirements, improving security while making it easier for staff and trustees to access the information they needed.
To strengthen endpoint security and improve performance, legacy devices were replaced with modern Windows 11 systems. This ensured compatibility with current Microsoft technologies, enhanced security capabilities and delivered a more reliable experience for users.
We also implemented a managed Microsoft 365 backup solution, providing independent protection for critical business data and introducing greater confidence in recovery capabilities. This helped strengthen the organisation’s resilience and supported long-term governance objectives.
Alongside the technical improvements, we introduced an ongoing managed service that included proactive monitoring, regular maintenance, strategic guidance and clear reporting. This provided the organisation with greater transparency around its technology estate and ensured potential issues could be identified and addressed before impacting users.
By combining technical modernisation with long-term strategic support, we helped create an IT environment that was secure, scalable and easier to manage.
The organisation now benefits from a modern, structured and secure technology environment that supports both its day-to-day activities and future ambitions. SharePoint has become significantly easier to navigate, enabling users to find information more quickly and collaborate more effectively across teams and trustee groups.
Improved permissions and governance have strengthened information security while reducing administrative complexity. Staff and volunteers have greater confidence in accessing and sharing documents, leading to more efficient working practices and improved productivity.
The introduction of Windows 11 devices has enhanced performance, security and reliability, providing users with a better overall experience and reducing the risk associated with ageing hardware. The implementation of a managed Microsoft 365 backup solution has also improved organisational resilience by ensuring critical data is independently protected and recoverable when required.
With proactive monitoring, regular reporting and strategic IT guidance now in place, the charity has greater visibility of its technology estate and clearer direction for future development. The organisation can focus on delivering its mission knowing that its IT systems are being actively managed, maintained and aligned to best practice.
- Improved SharePoint structure with clear document management and permissions
- Enhanced collaboration for staff and volunteer trustees
- Migration to secure, supported Windows 11 devices
- Full device encryption and centralised management
