Microsoft 365 User Adoption for Schools, MATs and Districts Building a HR Hub for Education in SharePoint – A Podcast with Spencer Academies Trust
Looking to streamline HR processes, improve security, and centralise resources in your school or Multi-Academy Trust (MAT)? In this episode of the Cloud Design Box Podcast, Josh Gibbs, Educational Technology Lead at Spencer Academies Trust, shares how his team transformed HR management with a custom-built SharePoint HR Hub.
Josh is no stranger to SharePoint in Education, having previously worked with Cloud Design Box to lead digital transformation projects across multiple schools and trusts. Now at Spencer Academies Trust, Josh is helping to address a pressing need — simplifying HR operations across a rapidly growing MAT while improving collaboration, compliance, and data security.
Key topics in this episode:
- Why a SharePoint HR Hub is the perfect solution for centralising HR resources
- How to manage permissions effectively without compromising security
- Overcoming the challenges of migrating from network drives to the cloud
- Leveraging SharePoint’s document management, version control, and backup features
- The importance of staff training to ensure smooth adoption
The Spencer Academies Trust HR Hub replaces scattered files and outdated network drives with a secure, cloud-based platform. Built in partnership with Cloud Design Box, the hub provides:
📂 A single, structured repository for all HR documents
🛡 Robust security features to protect sensitive data such as contracts and payroll
⚙ Permission groups based on staff roles for consistent and manageable access control
📈 Comprehensive training resources to boost user adoption and minimise disruption
At Cloud Design Box, we specialise in building SharePoint intranets for education that save time, improve collaboration, and strengthen compliance. Trusted by over 750 schools and MATs, our solutions are tailored to the unique needs of education organisations.
🎧 Listen now to see how Spencer Academies Trust built their HR Hub — and how your school or MAT could do the same.
Find out how we can support your digital transformation: www.clouddesignbox.co.uk/contact
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