Cloud specialists UKFast and ANS to merge under new identity in 2022

The boards of Manchester cloud specialists ANS and UKFast have announced that the two companies are to merge.

In doing so, the combined group will become one of the UK’s leading, independent digital transformation businesses across both the public and private sectors.

The merger follows the acquisition of ANS by Inflexion Private Equity in June 2021. Inflexion already controlled UKFast.

The combined group will better serve existing and new customers as part of an enlarged business reflecting the rapid market growth opportunity for digital and cloud services.

The merger combines the security and private cloud practice of UKFast combined with ANS’s public cloud and digital go-to-market, bolstering the capabilities of both organisations.

The merged businesses will be operating with a combined strategy and operational board from January 2022, with a new brand for the combined business being announced in due course.

Paul Shannon has been appointed CEO of the combined group, bringing significant digital transformation experience to the business.

Paul Shannon said: “I am excited to lead an enlarged group which provides significant scale and platform for future growth. Together the businesses will offer a better service to customers and will be well placed to take advantage of the significant market growth opportunity.”

Also, Richard Bishop, formerly UKFast chair, will be returning to the business and joins as group chair.