Case Study

Oxfordshire County Council leads the UK’s largest Copilot rollout with WM Reply

Oxfordshire County Council partnered with WM Reply and Microsoft to deliver the UK’s largest Microsoft 365 Copilot deployment, empowering 4,500 employees through AI-driven collaboration, cultural change, and frontline innovation.

The Vision

OCC aimed to modernise collaboration and efficiency with AI tools and a shared digital culture

THE SCENARIO

Reimagining digital collaboration for public service

Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) plays a vital role in enabling the success and wellbeing of its residents through services that support communities, culture, and economic growth. Facing fragmented workflows and inconsistent digital practices, OCC wanted to enhance productivity and collaboration with Microsoft 365 Copilot. The goal was to automate routine tasks, improve access to information, and free staff to focus on delivering high-impact public services.

how we did it

A people-centred transformation powered by AI

Working with WM Reply, OCC launched a transformation programme that placed people, not just technology, at its core. WM Reply began with a change-readiness assessment to understand organisational maturity and digital confidence across departments.

Following a pilot to identify champions and early adopters, OCC deployed all 4,500 Copilot licences simultaneously: an unprecedented approach in UK local government. Training and engagement initiatives, raining and engagement initiatives - including WM Reply's AI-Scape Room - built trust in AI tools, promoted innovation, and embedded an agile mindset across the council.

the result

Empowering employees through AI-driven collaboration

Oxfordshire County Council achieved rapid adoption and measurable cultural change. Over 80 % of employees actively use Copilot, reporting stronger collaboration, improved efficiency, and new ways of solving problems. The rollout is transforming how the council delivers services, creating capacity for value-adding work and setting the stage for continuous innovation.

Largest UK local-authority rollout

4,500 Copilot licences deployed — making OCC the UK’s largest Microsoft 365 Copilot implementation.

Rapid adoption and engagement

81 % adoption achieved through targeted training, communications, and advocacy networks.

Frontline empowerment

AI tools save time on repetitive work, allowing staff to focus on people-centred outcomes and service quality.

Continuous innovation

OCC continues exploring AI’s potential for automation, insight generation, and citizen engagement.

Oxfordshire County Council delivers essential services to residents and communities across Oxfordshire, supporting economic growth, wellbeing, and sustainable development through innovation and collaboration.

WM Reply is a Microsoft-focused Reply company specialising in digital-workplace transformation. It helps organisations adopt Microsoft 365, Co-pilot, and AI-powered collaboration tools to improve productivity, culture, and employee experience.