Microsoft Copilot trial

The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) has approved a six-month trial of Microsoft Copilot, which will run from January to June. As part of this trial:

• 139 Selected participants will be allocated a Microsoft Copilot licence
• feedback will be requested throughout the trial to help us assess time savings and the overall impact of Copilot on our work
• participants in the trial will also have the ability to enable meeting transcription, which can assist with capturing minutes and actions and guidance has been produced for meeting organisers.

Important information about meeting transcription:

• the updated Privacy Notice will be attached to meeting invitations where there is the intention for transcription to be enabled
• opt-out options will be available
• sensitive discussions should be avoided, and manual notetaking should be used for these meetings.
• transcriptions will be retained for 21 days before being deleted

Access to Copilot Chat for all colleagues:

If you have not been selected to participate in the trial, you should be aware that all colleagues already have access to Copilot Chat, the free version of the tool. This can help with quick queries, drafting content, and improving productivity.

Please look out for upcoming training sessions, which will provide an overview of how to maximise productivity using Copilot features.

Once the trial concludes, the ELT will review all feedback and determine whether a wider rollout of licences should be undertaken.

Thank you for your support as we explore innovative tools to enhance productivity.

Published January 06, 2026