Changing Social joins the Microsoft AI Business Solutions Inner Circle 2026–27

We’re incredibly proud to share that Changing Social has been invited to join the Microsoft AI Business Solutions Inner Circle for 2026-27.

For anyone who’s spent time in the Microsoft partner ecosystem knows exactly what that means. For anyone who hasn’t, here’s the short version: the Inner Circle is an invitation-only community reserved for a small group of Microsoft’s most strategic partners worldwide. Widely regarded across the ecosystem as the top 1% of Business Applications and AI partners. It’s not something you apply for. It’s earned through consistent delivery, customer impact, and a genuine alignment with where Microsoft is heading.

In Microsoft’s own words to us:

“Your exceptional performance has earned you a place among Microsoft AI Business Solutions’ most strategic partners worldwide. This recognition reflects your commitment to customer success, innovation and business excellence.”

To be recognised in this way is a fantastic achievement and it belongs to everyone across the business who helped make it happen.

 

Why this matters

Recognition is incredible, but what makes the Inner Circle genuinely valuable is the access it brings.

Membership means:

• A closer line to Microsoft’s leadership and product teams, the people closest to the roadmap, the strategy, and the decisions that shape what comes next.
• A seat at the Inner Circle Summit in Spring 2027, bringing the FY27 community together in person to connect with Microsoft executives and fellow members.
• Monthly virtual community sessions throughout the year, focused on the topics that matter most to this group, giving us a direct channel to insight, priorities, and meaningful dialogue across the network.
• A dedicated Microsoft Executive Sponsor paired with us for the year, deepening the relationship at a senior level.
• Greater visibility across Microsoft, alongside a community of the highest-performing partners globally.

For our customers, that translates into something simple and tangible: earlier insight into where Microsoft technology is heading and a partner with a stronger, more direct relationship with the people building it. When we’re closer to the source, you are too.

 

The story behind the recognition

This didn’t happen by accident. Over the past period, we deliberately set out to re-engage with Microsoft’s leadership teams and reposition Changing Social from a pure-play Adoption & Change Management partner to the Microsoft Partner of Choice for AI Workplace Transformation.

That shift took focus, belief, and a huge amount of effort from people right across the business. The Inner Circle invitation is another sign that our strategy, when we execute it well, really does pay off.

 

A word from our CEO

“I’ve admired the Inner Circle programme for years, but it’s always been one of those things where you never quite know how you get in, or who gets you in,  but it’s always felt both exclusive and slightly elusive. So, this is a fantastic achievement for us and for everyone at Changing Social; it will allow us closer access to Microsoft’s leadership and product teams, as well as greater visibility across Microsoft itself.

It’s also an important reminder that we need to maintain the highest standards in our delivery, sales governance and every interaction we have with our customers and Microsoft. Being invited into Inner Circle is a brilliant achievement, but ‘how’ we do what we do matters just as much. We need to keep delivering the quality of work that earned us this recognition in the first place.

It’s great to see everyone’s hard work paying off.”

Steve Crompton, CEO, Changing Social

 

Keeping the bar high

That last point is worth holding onto. The invitation is a milestone, not a finish line. What earned us a place in the Inner Circle is the same thing that will keep us there: doing exceptional work, governing it well, and treating every customer and every Microsoft interaction with the standards they deserve.

We’re honored to be welcomed into the 2026-27 cohort, and above all, we are genuinely excited for the year of collaboration ahead. To our team, thank you. To our customers and to Microsoft, we’re looking forward to what we’ll build together next.

It’s going to be a fantastic year.