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2025 Microsoft Inclusion Changemaker Partner of the Year
Valorem Reply is proud to announce that we have been recognized as winner of 2025 Microsoft Inclusion Changemaker Partner of the Year Award
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Last month, our team had the incredible opportunity to attend Microsoft Ignite 2025, one of the most anticipated technology events of the year. This global conference brought together innovators, developers, and business leaders to explore the future of AI, cloud, and enterprise solutions. For us, it was more than just an event. It was a chance to showcase our expertise, connect with peers, and gain insights that will shape the way we help our customers transform.
Our booth was a hub of innovation, featuring interactive experiences such as the Copilot AI-Scape Room, AI-vatar Studio, and our Digital Human Reply Concierge. These engagements were designed to spark conversations and demonstrate real-world applications of cutting-edge technologies. The response was overwhelmingly positive. As Ben Hungerford, Senior M365 Consultant, Valorem Reply put it, “Unlike many exhibitors with flashy marketing tech, we were demoing actual things that Reply had built and could speak to the underlying tech.”
A Dynamic Event with Lasting Impact
The energy at Ignite was palpable. “Really enjoyed it and so glad I went” shared Shaun Satterthwaite, Principal Consultant, Valorem Reply UK. “Plenty of topics to enjoy and learn from.” For many, the event was a deep dive into Microsoft’s vision for the future. Ben Hungerford noted, “Copilot and Microsoft's AI efforts took centre stage, but there were impressive advancements across the entire Microsoft solution stack.”
Networking was another highlight. “I made a lot of valuable new contacts” said Kason Carter, Account Executive, Valorem Reply. “Hearing customer challenges firsthand reinforced where organizations are feeling pressure today—whether around AI adoption, modernization, or operational efficiency.” These conversations will help us translate insights into targeted programs and solutions that directly address customer pain points.
Key Themes and Announcements
The main keynote set the tone for the event. “It shares the vision Microsoft has for the next year, helping us prepare for the years ahead” reflected Shaun. Among the most impactful announcements were advancements in AI governance and agent technology. “AI Agents have struggled due to lack of control and governance” Shaun explained. “The keynote addressed this with new tooling for developers, admins, and security teams. 2026 will see even more progress.”
Ryan McCamy, Practice Lead, Tech for Social Impact, Valorem Reply emphasized Microsoft’s focus on enterprise-level AI governance: “It will be important for us to understand these new products and advise customers on AI strategy and vision. Valorem Reply’s role can be in strategy, governance, and security. Implementing solutions and filling green spaces with custom solutions.”
Customer Engagement at Our Booth
Our interactive experiences were a major draw. “They enjoyed the Escape Room, thought the digital frame was fun, and loved the freebies” Shaun shared. Ben added, “Many people stopped to speak with Cordelia just by seeing her or hearing about her from others. They shared interesting use case ideas for the technology!”
Recognition as Partner of the Year
Winning the Partner of the Year award was a proud moment. “Clearly you must be the best in a given field and having won it shows we are in that premium group of partners.” said Shaun. Ryan added, “Our project is seen as having a legitimate global accessibility impact, bringing St Peter's Basilica to so many people who have never visited it in person.”
Actionable Insights for the Year Ahead
Our team returned with clear priorities:
- Leverage frontier program agents to supercharge internal work and build best practices for clients.
- Develop institutional expertise with Agent 365 for upcoming technical readiness sessions.
- Incorporate Work IQ capabilities into training materials.
Helping Customers Become Frontier Firms
Valorem Reply has long been at the forefront of AI innovation. “We’ve been working with AI for some time, helping customers resolve challenges, increase productivity, and test new ideas” Shaun explained. To help customers become frontier firms, we focus on evolving their IT estate—clean data, secure access, and Zero Trust principles. “Agents will have identities and tasks that need to be managed and controlled like humans” Shaun noted. Ben added, “A successful deployment of M365 Copilot forms the launchpad for quick Agentic successes that extend into frontier firm transformation.”
Looking Ahead
Microsoft Ignite 2025 reaffirmed that the future is AI-driven, secure, and collaborative. As Microsoft continues to push boundaries, we’re committed to helping our customers navigate this transformation, whether through Copilot adoption, AI governance, or innovative solutions that unlock new possibilities.
