ANS Group hires first CRO in bid to double revenue and EBITDA

Richard Thompson joins the firm after spending 20 years with TalkTalk

ANS Group has appointed its first ever chief revenue officer in former TalkTalk boss Richard Thompson as the firm sets its sights on doubling its revenue and EBITDA by the end of 2025.

Thompson joins the ANS Group board after spending 20 years with telecoms giant TalkTalk, where he held roles including director of sales operations, marketing director, commercial director, and managing director within TalkTalk Business.

ANS says Thompson will take responsibility for its sales, marketing and commercial functions, with a remit of driving significant growth through both new and existing channels.

"Having taken some time out to work out my next step after 20 years with TalkTalk, the opportunity at ANS felt like the perfect fit," Thompson said.

"I love to be the challenger, disrupting markets and generating huge growth. That's what I saw in ANS.

"This is a Manchester-based tech business with amazing talent, a fantastic renovated workspace on the way, and a massive commitment to not only doubling EBITDA, but then seeing how we can push things even further.

"Hitting our targets depends on understanding what we're great at and making smart decisions, expanding our channels and continuing to invest in the best talent."

The Microsoft Gold Partner is currently in the process of making a number of hires across its commercial and people divisions with the goal of doubling its EBITDA to £80m and revenue to £240m by the end of 2025.

ANS merged with internet hosting firm UKFast earlier this year and Thompson joins an ANS board comprising of CEO Paul Shannon, COO Chris Hodgson, M&A director Catherine Greening, CFO Steve Townsley and chairman Richard Bishop.

"Richard sees in ANS a group of hugely passionate, talented and collaborative people who are relentlessly focussed on challenging the status quo in the tech industry and making digital transformation accessible to everyone," Shannon said.

"When you combine all of that with Richard's knowledge and experience of maximising key strategic partnerships and his track record in building high-performing commercial teams, that's where we really turn up the dial on our growth."