Role: CEO, ANS
What’s been your business high point of the last 12 months?
One of our proudest achievements over the past 12 months was being named Microsoft UK Partner of the Year 2025. It recognised not only the quality of our solutions and customer service, but also our commitment to innovation, including becoming the first MSP to establish a dedicated Customer Success Unit.
Building on that momentum, we’ve continued to invest in our AI capabilities, becoming the first Microsoft partner to achieve both Frontier Firm accreditations as we evolve into a truly AI-enabled business.
We’re equally proud of the impact we’re having on the next generation of talent. In January of this year, our ANS Academy became the first apprenticeship provider to be awarded a ‘strong standard’ across all categories under Ofsted’s new inspection framework – helping to build tomorrow’s channel workforce.
Name one thing your company is looking to achieve in 2026.
We help businesses move from AI readiness to AI realisation, addressing a rapidly growing market need that supports our ambition for double-digit revenue growth in 2026.
What keeps you awake at night as a partner leader?
Our 700+ employees are the heart of ANS, so maintaining and strengthening the inclusive culture that supports them is always top of mind. At the same time, our industry moves incredibly quickly, and ensuring we continue to lead the way in AI realisation requires constant focus and adaptability.
Is AI being over-hyped?
It’s difficult to overstate the transformative potential of AI. What is often underestimated, however, is the importance of getting the foundations right – security, governance and data readiness are critical to realising those benefits.”
What’s been your most successful internal AI project to date, and why?
Becoming a Frontier firm – a human-led, AI-enabled business – is a core pillar of our strategy. As part of our journey to become this, we broke the service algorithm in Managed Services – which was a real highlight.”
Can you share a surprising prediction about how UK IT channel partners or the UK IT channel will evolve over the next 5 years?
The UK IT channel remains highly fragmented, and I expect consolidation to accelerate as partners seek greater scale, deeper expertise and stronger AI capabilities. At the same time, the economics of AI will evolve rapidly. As the cost and value of tokens continue to shift, we’ll see significant changes in how organisations consume, price and govern AI services, creating new opportunities and business models across the channel.
Which tech gizmo (hardware or software) could you not function without?
For me, it’s the iPhone and the Oura Ring – they’re at the top of their game.
Which three famous people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party?
Trump, Bowie, Ricky Gervais.
If you had a warning label, what would it say?
Persistently optimistic. May frequently say ‘we’ll get there’, and then keep working until we do.
Which tech figurehead has impressed you the most this year, and why?
While he’s undoubtedly a divisive figure, it’s hard not to be impressed by what Elon Musk has achieved with SpaceX’s record-breaking IPO this year – astronomical!
But when it comes to creating a positive impact closer to home, Microsoft UK & Ireland CEO Darren Hardman stands out. His commitment to developing digital skills, creating opportunities and helping people from all backgrounds build careers in technology makes him one of the industry’s most influential figureheads.
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