Published by Sue Johns-Chapman
Published Date 20.08.2025 
Leading digital transformation company, ANS, has been shortlisted for the Best Application of Tech (Public Sector) award, as well as Tech Company of the Year (Large) award.
These nominations reflect our commitment to making technology accessible to all, and championing technology that truly serves people.
Who we are
Based in Manchester, ANS is on a mission to empower 4,000 organisations across the UK to accelerate their digital transformation journeys.
We enable every organisation, regardless of its size, to access the best technology for its needs. From global banks to local healthcare services, we’re transforming how they work to stay competitive in a tech-driven world.
At the heart of our mission is a belief that tech should be inclusive and human-centred. We’re dedicated to leading the future generation of tech talent through our ANS Academy, supporting more than 250 apprentices over the past decade. As Microsoft’s UK Services Partner of the Year 2024, we pride ourselves on our suite of services to build AI-readiness, including public and private cloud, data services, security, business applications, and low code.
Best Application of Tech (Public Sector)
- Addressing rising cyber threats in healthcare
Cyber threats in the healthcare sector are rising, impacting both technology and patients. Both potential data loss and disruption to critical patient services put lives at risk.
- A proactive solution
We partnered with Staffordshire & Shropshire Health Informatics Service (SSHIS), a shared service provider for multiple NHS trusts and local authorities, to launch a cloud-based Security Operations Centre (SOC). Covering 615 servers and more than 20,000 users, we brought SSHIS’s ambition to life. Together, we set out to improve cyber vigilance, increase uptime, drive efficiencies and, most crucially, safeguard patient safety and quality of care.
Providing 24/7 monitoring, the SOC quickly identifies potential threats, which our dedicated triage team assesses and mitigates before they can cause harm. This constant vigilance supports IT teams, empowers clinical staff, and ultimately, protects patients.
- Impact where it matters most
Since launching, the results have been transformative. Most importantly, SSHIS has experienced zero successful cyber attacks. Its phishing vulnerability has been significantly reduced thanks to targeted internal simulations, further reducing the likelihood of attacks. And by shifting to a hybrid cloud approach, the organisation has cut capital and maintenance costs compared to traditional outsourcing. All of these outcomes benefit patients, improving their safety and experience.
Adam Cooper, Director of Health Informatics at SSHIS, said: “This has felt like a true partnership from the very beginning. ANS didn’t just deliver a product, they took the time to really understand us and the pressures we face as a 24/7 healthcare organisation. By listening to our needs, engaging with our teams, and working with us to produce a solution, together we have strengthened SSHIS’s cybersecurity posture, supported our staff, and protected patient services. ANS’s proactive approach, combined with mutual respect and open communication, meant we were able to shape something together that truly works for the way we deliver care. It’s been a collaborative journey throughout.”
And the reach continues to grow. With SSHIS now offering SOC services across a consortium of NHS and public sector organisations, this partnership has become a blueprint for public sector resilience and a model for secure, scalable infrastructure nationwide.
Tech Company of the Year (Large)
- A tech company for all
At ANS, we believe technology should be human-centred and drive real impact. We’re big enough to deliver at scale but small enough to care.
We’ve reached new heights in 2025, uniting our innovations and social impact.
- A people-first culture
We know our success wouldn’t be possible without our strong team of people behind us. That’s why we prioritise our people-centred approach, building the best UK tech workforce.
Over the past 18 months, we’ve welcomed more than 160 new hires and promoted 237 team members, deepening our expertise in AI, data, and cloud engineering. We know the importance of getting young people involved in tech. That’s why we pride ourselves on the success of our Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ ANS Academy, which had 39 apprentices graduate last year alone, with 70% of those continuing their professional journey with us.
Our culture is powered by inclusion. With 444 members actively involved in 10 employee-led communities, and over 50 inclusion events hosted annually, we’ve created a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Our people-focused approach is reflected in our partnerships with our customers. John Burt, Head of Enterprise Architecture at Manchester City Council, said, “The true quantum leap we’ve seen in technology and advancement is in AI. We’re already seeing big impacts of that. This has been a long-term relationship with ANS, and they are certainly a strategic partner and one of the biggest and brightest businesses in Manchester.”
- A tech movement for good
But our impact goes beyond the workplace. That’s why we invest in our community, using our tech for good to support those who need it most. From raising over £100,000 for causes including the Trussell Trust’s South Manchester foodbank, to building a free, accessible website for Facial Palsy UK that improves usability for people with limited facial mobility – we make sure we’re truly using tech for good.
Over the last year, we’ve proven that technology can be delivered at scale, ethically, and accessibly, no matter the business size or sector. We’ve excelled in all areas, making technology accessible to all.
Impact that matters
Our impact goes beyond business. We’re not just transforming technology, we’re transforming access, opportunity, and impact, both internally and in UK businesses. Our approach is ambitious, inclusive, and built to last.
