Experience-Driven AI Governance for the Microsoft Ecosystem

At TrustDirectAI, we believe that effective AI governance isn't born from high-level strategy alone—it's forged from decades of in-the-trenches experience. Our approach is practical, implementable, and built upon a deep, foundational understanding of the Microsoft technologies your enterprise relies on. We move beyond theoretical policies to deliver tangible, operational capabilities that make responsible AI a reality.

Meet Darren Peat, Founder & Principal Consultant

Darren Peat is a senior IT architect with over two decades of specialized experience designing, implementing, and managing information governance solutions within complex enterprise Microsoft ecosystems.

He founded TrustDirectAI to address a critical gap in the market: the need for a consultancy that combines deep Microsoft technical proficiency with a foundational, security-first approach to data governance. After seeing countless organizations struggle with the risks and complexities of AI adoption, Darren built a methodology focused on addressing the root causes of AI risk—ensuring data is managed securely and ethically from the source.

His hands-on experience architecting solutions across the entire Microsoft stack gives him a unique, holistic perspective that prevents siloed policies and ensures your AI governance framework is coherent, defensible, and effective across your entire technology landscape.

> Connect with Darren on LinkedIn

Deep Ecosystem Expertise

Our guidance is grounded in comprehensive, expert-level knowledge of the interconnected Microsoft platforms that power your business. This ensures our solutions are not just compliant, but also optimized for performance, security, and user adoption.

Our specializations include:

  • Microsoft 365

  • Microsoft Azure

  • Microsoft Copilot

  • Microsoft Purview

  • Microsoft Teams

  • SharePoint Online

  • Viva Suite

Our Foundational Approach: Information Governance First

The biggest risks in AI—from data breaches to biased outputs—stem from a lack of control over foundational data. Our philosophy is simple: you cannot have responsible AI without robust Information Governance (IG).

For over 20 years, Darren has championed the principle of managing data securely where it lives. By building your AI governance framework directly within your Microsoft 365 tenant, we help you:

  • Avoid Risky Third-Party Solutions: Eliminate the costs and security vulnerabilities of moving sensitive data to external archiving systems.  

  • Prevent Dangerous "Data Hoarding": Implement intelligent data lifecycle management to ensure you only keep what you need, reducing your risk footprint.  

  • Create a Single Source of Truth: Leverage the built-in, intelligent capabilities of Microsoft Purview to create a defensible, auditable, and unified governance posture.  

This IG-first methodology is the key to moving beyond "DIY Governance" and building a truly resilient and responsible AI program.  

Why We Are Different

  • We are Specialists, Not Generalists. While other consultancies offer broad AI advice, we focus exclusively on the Microsoft ecosystem. This singular focus means we provide unparalleled depth and practical guidance for organizations like yours.

  • We are Practitioners, Not Theorists. Our recommendations are born from two decades of hands-on implementation. We don't just deliver strategy documents; we expertly configure Microsoft Purview, establish data quality processes, and build the tangible controls that turn your policies into reality.  

  • We are an Integrated Partner. We bridge the critical gap between your IT, legal, and compliance teams. We speak the language of technical architecture, regulatory risk, and business ROI, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned on a clear path to responsible and value-driven AI adoption.

Partner with Proven Expertise

Ready to accelerate your AI adoption with confidence? Let's build a governance framework that's as robust and reliable as the Microsoft platform it's built on.

> Request a Complimentary Copilot Readiness & Risk Assessment