ANS awarded Microsoft UK’s Partner of the Year
Microsoft UK has awarded leading cloud and digital services provider ANS its coveted Partner of the Year award, building on its win as UK Services Partner of the Year in 2024. It also named Rubrik as UK ISV [Independent Software Vendor] Partner of the Year, and CapGemini as UK GSI [Global Systems Integrator] Partner of the Year.
Presenting the award to ANS, Microsoft UK CEO Darren Hardman said: “It’s a privilege to work alongside you. Together, we’re not just driving innovation, we’re shaping the future.”
Based in Manchester and with around 750 experts in its employ, ANS helps more than 7,000 organisations across the public and private sectors unlock the potential of technology.
People-first
While technology is its medium, people are the driving force of the company, says Richard Thompson, CEO, ANS.
“Technology is always changing, but people remain the golden thread that delivers excellence,” he says.
This people-first philosophy extends to its relationships with customers, communities, and partners, says Thomson. Whether it’s working hand-in-hand with public sector organisations like Manchester City Council, private businesses like energy infrastructure provider Calisen, or insurance firm Aventum Group, ANS believes innovation begins with relationships.
“We own the issues together,” says Andy Bissenden, Chief Information Officer at ANS customer East Sussex Healthcare.
“That’s what a partnership should be.”
This people-first approach is also reflected in ANS’s committment to diversity and tech skills development.
Through the ANS Academy, the company opens doors for those who might never have considered a tech career.
And internal initiatives like the Squirrel Club, which celebrates neurodiversity within the company, create a safe and inclusive workplace.
Pothole progress
A long-standing relationship with Manchester City Council illustrates ANS’s ability to deliver transformative outcomes.
One stand-out collaboration involved the use of generative AI to streamline pothole classification. Rather than relying on time-consuming manual review, the council employed ANS’s AI expertise to automate image recognition, enabling faster responses, better resource allocation, and ultimately, safer streets.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in city operations, Manchester sees ANS as a vital partner in its progress.
“It’s flipped it from thinking about the technology, to really thinking about the use cases and the outcomes that we’re trying to achieve,” says Jon Burt, the Council’s Head of Enterprise Architecture.
Complete package
A unique strength of ANS lies in the proximity between its engineering teams and client stakeholders. This closeness allows for a deeper understanding of client goals and the ability to deliver tailored, measurable products and services.
With capabilities across Microsoft Azure, Copilot, Dynamics 365, Microsoft Power Platform and security operations, ANS is as comfortable deploying enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure as it is designing digital experiences or building AI workflows.
Whether working with local governments, universities, healthcare providers, or fast-growing businesses, ANS is helping shape an AI-powered UK.
But amid all the technology, Microsoft UK’s Partner of the Year never forgets its real differentiator is people. As one team member described the company culture: “Innovative, collaborative, trusted… and good fun, too.”