ANS closes acquisition on Microsoft partner Preact

ANS said the buy will help it grow in the Microsoft business applications space

Manchester-based cloud and digital services company ANS Group has completed the acquisition of Microsoft partner Preact.

Based out of Maidenhead and established in 1993, Preact bills itself as a company that enables SMBs and charities to grow more efficiently with Dynamics 365 and CRM solutions built on the Microsoft Power Platform.

ANS said the addition of the Microsoft Gold partner will allow it to become the "best-resourced" provider in the Microsoft Business Applications community.

In a LinkedIn post, ANS CEO Richard Thompson said: "What a way to end the year… delighted to welcome Preact , who join the ANS Group today.

"A Microsoft Inner Circle member, Preact will help accelerate our Dynamics growth trajectory into SMB. Looking forward to an amazing year of opportunity in 2023."

ANS plans for 2023

In October former ANS CEO Paul Shannon stepped down from his role. He was succeeded by chief revenue officer Rich Thompson.

Following its 2021 merger with UKFast, the group laid out its ambitious growth plans, which include an EBITDA of £80m by the end of 2025.

ANS has its eyes set on a "strong focus" on process automation alongside a "consistent" recruitment drive, with a goal to train 200 new apprentices over the next three years.

It is also targeting double annual revenues by the end of 2025.