Microsoft Unpacked: UK Tour

Big Microsoft announcements. Real-world insight. No four-day conference required.

Microsoft Ignite is where Microsoft unveils its biggest innovations across AI, cloud, security, data and productivity. But for most organisations, finding the time to sift through hundreds of sessions and announcements isn’t realistic.

That’s why ANS and Microsoft are bringing Ignite Bitesize back.

Join us at one of our UK roadshow locations for a focused, practical breakdown of the most important announcements from Microsoft Ignite 2026. We’ll cut through the noise, highlight what matters most, and explain how the latest innovations could impact your organisation, technology strategy and day-to-day operations.

Whether you’re responsible for workplace productivity, security, data platforms, cloud infrastructure or AI adoption, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of what Microsoft announced and what it means for you.

Key Takeaways:

• The most important Microsoft Ignite announcements, distilled into practical business and technical insights
• The latest developments across Microsoft 365, Copilot, Azure, Security, AI and Data
• Guidance on how organisations are approaching secure AI adoption at scale
• Real-world demonstrations and expert commentary from Microsoft and ANS specialists
• An understanding of which innovations are likely to have the greatest impact over the next 12 months
• Opportunities to network with peers facing similar technology and transformation challenges

Agenda:

Morning Session: Modern Work, Copilot & Business Applications

10:30 – 10:50 |Welcome from ANS and Microsoft
10:50 – 11:50 | Modern Work & Copilot
Explore the latest innovations across Microsoft 365, Teams, Copilot and agent-driven productivity, and discover how organisations are transforming the employee experience with AI.
11:50 – 12:30 | Business Applications & Automation
See how Dynamics, low-code tools and intelligent automation are helping organisations streamline processes, improve experiences and unlock greater efficiency.
12:30 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch & Expert Demos
Connect with peers, Microsoft specialists and ANS experts while exploring hands-on demonstrations and practical use cases.

Afternoon Session: Security, Azure, AI & Data

14:00 – 14:20 | Welcome from ANS and Microsoft
14:20 – 15:00 | Security
Discover the latest advancements in Security Copilot, Microsoft Entra and Zero Trust, and learn how organisations can protect users, data and AI-powered environments.
15:00 – 16:00 | Azure, AI & Data
Explore the newest innovations across Azure, AI and Data, including the technologies helping organisations build intelligent, secure and scalable platforms for the future.

Why Attend?

Join ANS and Microsoft to explore the latest innovations across AI, security, data, cloud and Modern Work. Hear directly from the experts behind the technology, see practical demonstrations, and gain valuable insight into the trends shaping technology strategy over the next 12 months.

Meet the Speakers

Francis Dauncey

Client CTO – Strategic Accounts | Public Safety & National Security

Francis Dauncey is customer focused and results-orientated technical sales leader with experience of building and sustaining high performance teams. Boundless enthusiasm to inspire and motivate people, nurture and grow a business and empower the team to deliver innovative new solutions to customer challenges.

Kyle Hill

CTO at ANS

Kyle Hill joined ANS in June 2023 as Technical Services Delivery Director, quickly transforming the Professional Services and Centre of Excellence teams into industry leaders. In 2024, Kyle was promoted to Chief Technology Officer to continue developing and scaling world-class cloud, security, and digital services. Kyle is an expert in complex, multi-technology offerings, making him a sought-after authority and speaker on AI readiness and digital transformation. Additionally, he is recognised by Microsoft for his contributions to the tech community as a Regional Director and Most Valuable Professional (MVP).

Robert McMurdo

AI Workforce Specialist at Microsoft

Robert McMurdo is an AI Workforce Specialist at Microsoft, helping UK Central Government organisations embrace AI to transform how people work, boost productivity and drive better outcomes.

Chris Hampson

Director of Sales: Public Sector at ANS

Chris is Director of Sales for Public Sector at ANS, supporting organisations across Blue Light, Housing, Local Government, Central Government, Healthcare, Higher Education, and Not-for-Profit sectors to unlock the value of cloud, data, and AI. Having spent more than five years at ANS, including previously leading the Blue Light team, Chris has extensive experience helping public sector organisations modernise services, improve operational efficiency, and deliver better outcomes for the communities they serve.

Elliott Leighton-Woodruff

Enterprise Architect at ANS

With over a decade of experience, Elliot helps organisations simplify and get real value from technology. From cloud-first startups to regulated enterprises, he specialises in making Azure work harder through automation, practical AI, and reliable, scalable solutions. Passionate about cutting through complexity, he focuses on delivering outcomes that are both impactful and easy to manage.

James Hornby

Technical Specialist - Microsoft 365 at Microsoft

James Hornby is a Microsoft 365 Technical Specialist at Microsoft, focused on helping organisations solve business challenges using Microsoft 365, with expertise across security, compliance, Teams, SharePoint and Exchange.

Gavin Kemp

SR Solution Engineer at Microsoft

Gavin Kemp is a Microsoft-certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert with expertise in cloud architecture and DevOps, helping organisations make effective use of Microsoft Azure technologies.

Lester March

Senior Solution Engineer - Cloud & AI Platforms at Microsoft

Lester March is a Cloud & AI Solution Engineer at Microsoft, helping public sector organisations shape cloud strategy, modernise applications and adopt AI responsibly using Microsoft Azure.

Anna Maria Vasile

Data Solution Engineer at Microsoft

Ana Maria Vasile is part of the team at Microsoft and a First-Class graduate of The University of Manchester. Passionate about technology and continuous learning, she brings a growth mindset and a strong connection to Manchester’s tech community.