Reflecting on 10 years of Cloud Design Box, with our Founder, Tony Phillips
This year marks a major milestone for Cloud Design Box: ten years of helping schools, trusts, colleges, local authorities and businesses to work better together with people-first Microsoft solutions.
From a one-man start-up with a laptop and a £20 logo, to a trusted partner of more than 750 organisations, Cloud Design Box’s journey is one built on vision, trust, and an unwavering commitment to making everyday life easier for its customers.
To begin the celebrations, we sat down with the Company’s Founder, Tony Phillips, to look back on where it all began, the moments that have shaped the company along the way, and what’s next for the Cloud Design Box community.
Tony, what was it about your background that made starting Cloud Design Box feel like the right path?
I have always been drawn to how technology can bring people together and make things work better, especially in education. My university dissertation was all about using SharePoint to build a managed learning community for an entire city. That notion, of connecting people, information and processes, has stayed with me ever since.
Then in my early career, I worked in schools and with education technology companies, helping to design and deploy SharePoint solutions. I saw first-hand what worked, what didn’t, and how frustrating it could be for staff when technology added complexity rather than removing it. So, when the time came, it felt natural to build something that put people first, using tools like SharePoint and Teams in a way that genuinely makes everyday life easier for all concerned.
Take us back to the beginning of Cloud Design Box, how did it come to life?
When I set up the Company back in in 2015, I was armed with a vision, some meagre savings and quite a bit of determination. It was just me initially, my laptop, and a £20 logo I had bought online! It really was a shoestring start, but I knew that if I focused on solving real problems for schools, I could make a difference.
Ten years later, that vision has clearly paid off. How would you describe where Cloud Design Box is today?
Fast forward a decade and here we are, among the top 6% of UK SMEs by revenue and employees, with more than 750 organisations relying on us every day. That’s not something we take for granted. We know that the majority of start-ups don’t make it beyond five years, yet we continue to grow stronger every year. Our 98% customer retention rate says more about our relationships than any polished sales pitch ever could!
What’s been the secret to that longevity and growth?
For me there are a couple of fundamental things. First, the trust that has been placed in us by schools and MATs, colleges, local authorities and businesses has fuelled every milestone. I still remember our first order, six days after I registered the business. One school became two, then ten, then hundreds: Hull College, Jordanhill School, St Helen’s and so many more. Those early partnerships helped us learn, refine and develop.
Secondly, we would be nowhere without our people. We’ve built a team of outstanding individuals who are not only brilliant at what they do but are completely aligned with our mission. They demonstrate our values every single day, whether that’s going the extra mile when on-boarding, delivering training that makes a huge difference to widespread adoption of the product within an organisation, or jumping on a call at short notice to solve a problem when someone needs us most.
It’s that shared commitment and sense of purpose that has kept our customers with us for so long, and it’s what makes me so proud to lead this team.
How has the company evolved since those early days?
In the beginning, it was all about classic SharePoint on-prem, but our drive to listen and adapt meant we were ready as the world changed – our customers trusted us to help them evolve.
At our core, we’re education specialists, and that’s still our passion. We know that when schools, trusts and colleges run smoothly, children have the best chance to reach their full potential.
But over time, we started to get asked: “Could you do this for our businesses too?” So now, our services reach beyond schools and we support local authorities, charities, public safety organisations, professional services firms and more. Whether it’s a classroom, a council office or a corporate boardroom, the goal is the same: people working better together.
Are there any milestones that really stand out for you?
There are so many moments I look back on fondly, but a few really stand out.
A huge moment for me was when we took on our first employee, Lloyd, who joined us as an apprentice, and it marked the start of building a team that would grow far beyond just he and I. Not long after, Darren, our COO, came on board. That was a massive turning point because he brought so much experience and leadership into the business and helped shape the culture we’re so proud of today.
Then, of course, the Covid years were unlike anything any of us had seen before. Schools and businesses suddenly had to find ways to function remotely overnight, and I’m proud that we were there to help make that happen. We launched the CDB Portal to keep staff and students connected and supported schools through all that uncertainty.
It was around that time we realised that looking after our people was just as important as looking after our customers. So, we launched our wellbeing programme, held our first all-company conference, and later achieved the Mind Workplace Wellbeing Gold Award. I’m really proud of that because it says a lot about how much we care about the people behind the work.
And then there’s recognition from the industry; being shortlisted for and winning, numerous awards, both as a company and for individuals on the team. It just proves that our people are what make us special.
Finally, surpassing the 750-customer mark earlier this year was a huge milestone. Knowing that so many schools, trusts, colleges and businesses trust us to help them work better together – that’s what it’s all about.
What makes you most proud when you look at what Cloud Design Box has become?
Our mission has always been to make everyday tasks smoother and smarter. For the busy teacher, the school leader balancing strategy and the day-to-day, or the business manager trying to keep teams aligned, our technology should take the stress away, not add to it. I’ve mentioned recognition from the industry, which is nice, but far more important than that is recognition from customers for a job well done, particularly when it’s volunteered with no prompting!
What does the future hold?
We’re focused on sustainable growth, and staying true to our roots. We’ll keep investing in the features and services our customers need. We’ll keep listening. Our dream is big: to become the global leader in SharePoint and Teams solutions for education and business. But it’s not about us, it’s about helping our customers unlock what’s possible, wherever they work or learn.
This anniversary is really about celebrating them. We’ll be sharing stories, running competitions and highlighting the moments that matter, from that £20 logo to some of the UK’s most prestigious schools and companies who have chosen Cloud Design Box!
I’m proud of our story, but the real legacy is what our customers achieve every day. So thank you, for your trust, your ideas, your honesty and your support – and for the amazing work that you do! Here’s to the next 10 years, together!
About Tony Phillips
Before founding Cloud Design Box, Tony Phillips built up deep expertise at the intersection of technology, education, and user-focused design.
Tony’s path combined hands-on technical skills with a strong understanding of what schools and businesses really needed. As a Web Technician at West Park School, he managed SharePoint implementations as far back as 2003.
At Core Education & Technologies, he progressed from SharePoint Engineer and Designer to Solutions Consultant, and then to Deployment and Support Manager, leading nationwide projects for schools and trusts and local authorities across the UK.
His work ranged from front-end design and branding to large-scale SharePoint deployments, migrations and integrations. Tony became known for his ability to bridge the gap between technical delivery and end-user experience delivering training and consultancy that made complex technology accessible to all.
Alongside his career, Tony has earned multiple Microsoft certifications, a testament to his commitment to keeping Cloud Design Box at the forefront of Microsoft’s ever-evolving ecosystem.
It’s this unique blend of technical expertise, education sector insight, and user-centred design that inspired Tony to launch Cloud Design Box, which has enabled organisations of all shapes and sizes to maximise their investment in Microsoft 365, SharePoint and Teams.
Outside of work, Tony is married with two young daughters who keep him on his toes. Family time is incredibly important to him, whether that’s heading out on day trips, helping with homework, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home. When he’s not with his family, Tony enjoys staying active at the gym and following his beloved Derby County, no matter how challenging the season! He’s also passionate about allergy awareness, driven by personal experience, and actively supports efforts to improve understanding and safety for families living with severe allergies.
