What ANS Group does

ANS Group Limited is a Manchester-headquartered, UK-focused digital transformation specialist operating since 1996 in cloud, security, business applications, and AI services. The company delivers managed Azure and AWS infrastructure alongside proprietary cloud offerings (Virtual Private Cloud, Private Cloud, UK Sovereign Cloud), Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and Business Central implementations, comprehensive managed security (MDR, Managed XDR, Managed SASE, ANS Protect) via a UK-based Security Operations Centre, and a growing Data & AI practice anchored on Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry, and Microsoft Fabric. ANS holds 15 Microsoft Specializations, Azure Expert MSP status, and is the first UK partner to achieve both the Microsoft Frontier Partner and Support Services designations, with Microsoft UK Partner of the Year 2025 reinforcing its position at the top of the UK Microsoft ecosystem.

The business model combines recurring managed services revenue (cloud and security subscriptions, typically multi-year enterprise contracts) with project-based professional services for migrations, Dynamics implementations, and AI readiness engagements, plus training revenue through the OFSTED-accredited ANS Academy apprenticeship programme. ANS serves a hybrid customer base spanning UK enterprise (Costa, Calisen, Slater Gordon, Ministry of Defence, Aventum Group), public sector (Manchester City Council, GMCA), higher education (Cumbria University), and an explicit SMB tier (up to 300 employees), distributed through direct enterprise field sales, inside sales, and a structured Channel Partner Programme covering Cloud, Security, AI Readiness/Copilot, and Dynamics 365. Backed by Inflexion private equity since at least 2025, ANS has pursued a programmatic M&A strategy, including Preact (Dynamics 365, 2022), Sci-Net Business Solutions (AI-readiness, October 2025), and Makutu (manufacturing, September 2025).

Name

ANS Group

Legal name

ANS Group Limited

Website

https://ans.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

ANS Group is a UK-based, Manchester-headquartered managed services provider specializing in Microsoft cloud, security, Dynamics 365, and AI/agentic AI transformation for enterprise, public sector, and SMB customers. Privately held under Inflexion, it holds 15 Microsoft Specializations and Frontier Partner status.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Managed IT Services

NAICS

Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

ITSM Managed Services (Run/Operate/Optimize) (BPAEAJAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

IT Operations, Event & Incident Management (NOC/SOC-to-ITSM) (BPAEAJAH), Secrets Management & Machine Identity (API keys, certificates, workload identity) (HDAEAJAJ), IT Governance, Risk & Compliance (IT GRC) Platforms (HDAEALAK), IT Service Management (ITSM) Platforms (HDAEALAA)

Keywords

• Managed cloud services
• Managed security services
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation
• Digital transformation consulting
• AI readiness services

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Managed Cloud Services: Recurring managed services revenue from Azure, AWS, and hybrid cloud management including infrastructure, migration, and optimization services.
2. Managed Security Services: Subscription-based security services providing continuous threat monitoring, detection, and response through UK-based SOC operations.
3. Dynamics 365 CRM and Business Central: Implementation, managed support, and ongoing services for Microsoft Dynamics 365 business applications across CRM and ERP.
4. Data and AI Services: AI readiness assessments, Copilot implementation, agentic AI deployment, and data platform modernization services.
5. Training and Academy Services: Apprenticeship delivery and Academy-as-a-Service offerings for upskilling technology teams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ANS Group is a Manchester-based managed services provider delivering cloud, security, and digital transformation services built primarily on the Microsoft ecosystem. The company offers managed Azure and AWS infrastructure, managed security (MDR/XDR/SASE), Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and Business Central ERP implementation, AI and Copilot enablement, and an OFSTED-accredited apprenticeship training academy for UK enterprises, public sector bodies, and SMB customers.

Product overview

ANS Group is a Manchester-based digital transformation specialist offering a comprehensive managed services portfolio built on Microsoft, AWS, and multi-cloud infrastructure. The core offering spans cloud services (Azure Managed Services, AWS Managed Services, Virtual Private Cloud, Private Cloud, Sovereign Cloud), business applications (Dynamics 365 CRM, Dynamics 365 Business Central), and AI/data capabilities (Microsoft Copilot, Modern Data Platforms, AI Readiness tools). Security services include Managed Detection and Response, Managed XDR, Managed SASE, and ANS Protect solutions. The portfolio is complemented by low-code development via Microsoft Power Platform, managed hosting, cloud migration, and application modernization services. Recent acquisitions of Preact (Dynamics 365/CRM specialist) and Sci-Net Business Solutions (65 specialists, Microsoft-focused) have expanded capabilities. The company also operates ANS Academy, an Ofsted-accredited apprenticeship programme, and offers Co-Managed services enabling partner ecosystem integration. The Microsoft partner ecosystem includes CSP, Azure Expert MSP, AWS Advanced Tier, and VMware designations.ANS positions itself as a 'Frontier Firm' enabler, helping organizations move from AI readiness to AI realisation using Microsoft Copilot and agentic AI, with the company deploying its own Customer Zero programme across Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot, and Azure AI Foundry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Preact: Microsoft partner specializing in Dynamics 365 and CRM solutions (acquired brand).
• Sci-Net
• ANS Academy
• ANS Glass

Products and services

• Azure Managed Services Comprehensive managed Azure cloud services providing infrastructure management, optimization, migration support, and ongoing operations for enterprise workloads on Microsoft Azure.
• AWS Managed Services Managed AWS cloud services delivering infrastructure management, migration support, and optimization for AWS-hosted environments, delivered under AWS Advanced Tier and MSP designations.
• Virtual Private Cloud (eCloud VPC) ANS's proprietary virtual private cloud solution offering accessible and affordable cloud services targeted at SMB customers removing barriers to growth.
• Private Cloud Dedicated private cloud infrastructure providing resilience, speed, and hyper-fast connectivity for enterprise requirements.
• Sovereign Cloud UK-sovereign cloud solution ensuring data residency and compliance for sensitive workloads, aligned with VMware Sovereign Cloud and Microsoft requirements.
• Azure Virtual Desktop Desktop virtualization services delivered through Microsoft Azure, providing flexible and secure remote work environments for end users.
• Cloud Migration Services Migration services helping organizations move workloads to cloud environments across Azure, AWS, and ANS private cloud platforms.
• App Modernisation Application modernization services transforming legacy applications into cloud-native solutions for improved performance and scalability.
• Cloud Consultancy Expert consulting for cloud strategy, architecture design, and implementation planning across multi-cloud environments.
• Managed Hosting

Quantifiable outcome

• 52% decrease in data labelling alerts through strengthened identity controls and improved data governance
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• MicrosoftflagshipTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft is ANS's primary technology partner. ANS holds extensive Microsoft certifications including 15 Specialisations across Modern Work, Business Applications, Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, Infrastructure, and Security. ANS is the first UK Microsoft partner to achieve both Microsoft Frontier Partner and Support Services designations, and won Microsoft UK Partner of the Year 2025.
• AWScoreTechnology or IntegrationAWS is a technology partner providing cloud infrastructure capabilities. ANS holds AWS Partner Network accreditations including Advanced Tier Services, MSP, Solution Provider, and specialized cloud capabilities.
• VMwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationVMware is a technology partner for cloud infrastructure. ANS was named VMware CSP Innovation Partner of the Year and holds VMware Principal Partner Cloud Provider status.
• Aventum GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAventum Group partnered with ANS for a one-week innovation sprint on agentic AI using Microsoft tools. The partnership focused on developing AI agents for onboarding processes and compliance checks. ANS led hackathon-style workshops with Aventum's Innovation Lab using Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry, and low-code tools.
• YouGovminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANS partnered with YouGov to survey 1,000 UK IT decision-makers on AI readiness, producing industry research reports.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Version 1: Ireland-based Microsoft-focused managed services and digital transformation partner. Comparable on Microsoft Solution Partner designations, enterprise managed services, and Copilot/AI delivery, but primarily serving Irish and UK markets.

Broad incumbents

• Sopra Steria: Large European IT services firm with significant UK public-sector and defence footprint. Comparable on enterprise cloud, security, and managed services delivery to government and regulated clients, but operates across many technologies beyond Microsoft.
• Capgemini: Global IT services giant with a major Microsoft practice. Comparable on enterprise-scale cloud, AI, and digital transformation delivery to large UK enterprises and public sector, though much broader in scope and geography.

Direct peers

• Avanade: Joint Accenture-Microsoft venture and the largest pure-play Microsoft-focused services partner globally. Directly comparable as a Microsoft Solution Partner with deep Azure, Dynamics 365 and Copilot delivery capabilities targeting enterprise and public-sector clients.
• Softcat: UK-listed IT infrastructure provider with a large Microsoft practice. Comparable on UK enterprise and public-sector cloud, licensing, and managed services, though with stronger hardware-led roots.
• Crayon Group: Nordic-headquartered cloud economics and Microsoft-focused managed services provider. Comparable as a Microsoft Tier-1 partner offering Azure managed services, FinOps, and software asset management to enterprise customers.
• Bytes Technology Group: UK-listed Microsoft-focused IT services and software licensing partner. Comparable as a UK-headquartered Microsoft partner with strong enterprise presence and overlapping managed cloud, security, and Dynamics practices.
• SoftwareONE: Switzerland-based global software and cloud services provider with a large Microsoft practice. Comparable as a Microsoft-focused managed services and licensing partner serving enterprise customers across multiple geographies.
• Insight Enterprises: Global Microsoft Tier-1 partner offering managed cloud, security, and digital transformation services. Directly comparable in Azure Expert MSP positioning, managed services portfolio, and enterprise/SMB customer mix.

Emerging players

• KPMG Microsoft Practice: Big Four firm's dedicated Microsoft business including Dynamics 365, Azure and Copilot transformation services. Comparable on enterprise AI, cloud, and Dynamics implementation work, though delivered as part of a broader consulting portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ansgroup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ANSGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/ans-268783513155758
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ans-group-plc

Compliance33 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A8 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ANS Group