As Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, ranks No.1 in the world for its Executive MBA for the third consecutive year, we look back on a decade of transformation that has helped build the platform behind that performance.

This is an institution operating at the highest level, where expectations are consistently high across teaching, research and global collaboration. Sustaining that position requires more than academic excellence. It requires a technology platform that is secure, resilient and capable of evolving alongside the organisation.

Nearly ten years ago, that was the challenge.

At the time, infrastructure was entirely on-premise, with systems distributed across the estate. As demand increased, maintaining consistency, resilience and confidence in the platform became harder. To support continued growth and global ambition, the school needed a simpler, more secure foundation designed for scale.

Building a cloud-first platform for long-term performance

This transformation was not a single project. It was a sustained programme of change, delivered over time.

Working alongside Saïd Business School, Intercity supported the transition from fragmented on-prem infrastructure to a single, secure, cloud-first operating model built on Microsoft.

The initial focus was on establishing control and stability. Systems were consolidated and modernised, creating a foundation for further change. Core services, including email and collaboration, were transitioned into Microsoft 365, enabling a more consistent and resilient environment.

From there, the organisation moved fully into Microsoft Azure, enabling a 100 percent cloud and Software as a Service (SaaS) operating model.

The result was a platform that is:

• Simpler to manage
• More secure by design
• Better positioned to support long-term growth

Importantly, this transformation was delivered without disruption, maintaining trust as the platform evolved.

From firefighting to confidence

Large-scale infrastructure change carries risk, particularly at leadership level.

Looking back on the early stages, Mark Bramwell, Chief Digital and Information Officer, recalls a very different experience. Service disruptions were frequent enough that regular apology emails became part of the routine.

Today, that picture has changed.

Instances of disruption are rare, and when they do occur, they are approached with attention, curiosity and a clear intent to improve.

As Asa Cooke, Associate Director of Service Delivery and Operations, puts it:

“It’s incomparable.”

That shift reflects more than improved performance. It reflects a fundamental change in how technology is experienced across the organisation.

Technology as the foundation of a world-class institution

Spend any time with the Saïd Business School team and you quickly understand what sits behind their success.

Their commitment to excellence is clear. And as Mark Bramwell and Asa Cooke describe, technology plays its part as the foundation that underpins everything.

Connectivity, systems and security quietly support teaching, research and collaboration at a global scale. The platform is stable, predictable and ready to support new demand.

This shift has enabled the IT function to move beyond reactive support and focus on delivering value. Automation, self-service and reliable systems have created space for higher-impact work and more personalised support where it matters most.

A partnership built over time

This transformation has been delivered through a long-term partnership built on shared accountability.

Intercity has worked alongside Saïd Business School teams at every stage, supporting both strategic direction and day-to-day operations. When challenges arose, they were addressed collaboratively, building trust and ensuring progress continued without disruption.

Over time, this has evolved beyond a supplier relationship into a partnership embedded in how the school operates its technology.

Supporting what comes next

Today, Saïd Business School operates on a cloud-first foundation designed for resilience, security and scale.

The infrastructure that once required constant attention now enables the organisation to focus on what matters most.

While much of it sits behind the scenes, it plays a critical role in supporting everything the school delivers, from student experience to global collaboration and research.

At this level, consistency matters. Reliability matters. Confidence matters.

Technology does not need to be visible to be valuable.

It needs to work.

HOW CAN WE POWER YOUR SUCCESS STORY?

If you would like to speak to one of our experts about how to get that balance right, we can help you take a clear, structured view of the governance and controls your organisation will need next.