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FintelAnnouncement

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RNS Number : 3215P  Fintel PLC  19 January 2026

19 January 2026

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION AS DEFINED FOR THE PURPOSES OF
ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 569/2014 WHICH FORMS PART OF
THE DOMESTIC LAW OF THE UNITED KINGDOM PURSUANT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
(WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("UK MAR"). UPON PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCMENT THIS
INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Fintel plc

("Fintel", the "Company" or the "Group")

Acquisition

Accelerating growth in Software & Data division through acquisition of
Pearson Ham's insurance pricing data business

Fintel plc (AIM: FNTL), a leading provider of software and services to the UK
retail financial services sector, today announces that it has completed the
acquisition of the Pearson Ham Group's market pricing business (the "Market
Pricing Business"), a leading provider of proprietary pricing data to the UK
insurance industry (the "Acquisition"). The total cash consideration for the
Acquisition of £11.0m consists of an initial cash consideration of £7.5m and
deferred consideration of £3.5m payable as to £2.0m in April 2026, and
£1.5m in July 2026.  The Acquisition will be earnings accretive for the full
year ending 31 December 2026.

Acquired through Defaqto, one of the UK's leading adviser technology and
product ratings business, the acquisition further strengthens Fintel's
Software and Data division and accelerates its strategy to become the key
technology and data partner to the UK retail financial services sector.
Product and pricing data, coupled with generative and agentic AI capabilities
will power the growth of Matrix 360 and Defaqto ratings, delivering powerful
data to product manufacturers and price comparison services.

Strategic Rationale:

·      Comprehensive Data Advantage: Defaqto will now offer the most
extensive product and pricing datasets in the UK personal lines insurance
market, covering motor, home, travel, and pet insurance.

·      Enhanced Technology Solutions: The integration of pricing data
will accelerate innovation across Defaqto's technology portfolio, including
its recently launched Matrix360 platform, which already serves 22 major
insurers.

·      AI-Driven Future: Proprietary data assets will underpin new
capabilities such as "value for money" ratings and advanced benchmarking
tools, supporting the industry's transition to an AI-driven economy.

With access to the most extensive product and pricing data in the market,
Defaqto is now uniquely positioned to understand and interpret consumer value
more effectively than any other provider. Defaqto's data forms the foundation
of its Star Ratings and expanding technology product portfolio, which includes
market intelligence software ''Matrix360''. Launched earlier this year,
Matrix360 has already been adopted by 22 major insurers.

The acquisition is expected to generate FY26 revenue of £2.6m and deliver
FY26 EBITDA of £0.9m.  Taking into account the incremental interest cost on
increased borrowing and tax payable on additional profits, the acquisition
will be net earnings accretive in FY26.

Fintel funded the transaction entirely from existing financial resources,
leveraging the competitive debt terms announced in July 2025 as part of its
new £120 million RCF facility.

In addition, to retain and incentivise key management in the acquired business
who were not materially interested in the existing equity of the parent
selling company, a separate Growth Share Plan will be shortly implemented and
will be aligned to growth and profitability targets.

John Milliken, Fintel Software & Data CEO commented:

 "We are extremely excited about this strategic acquisition. The Pearson Ham
Group pricing business is a profitable, growing, cash generative business with
a rich historic data set and a strong value proposition that is invaluable to
the UK insurance industry.  The winners in the AI economy will be those with
unique, valuable, proprietary data and expertise who can also innovate to
benefit their customers. Through the combination of unrivalled product and
pricing data Defaqto have the tools to help the industry to better understand
and deliver consumer value."

Matt Timmins, Fintel CEO commented:

"This acquisition is an important milestone in growing our Software and Data
division. It exemplifies the type of high-quality, synergistic acquisition
that we target as part of our strategy - enhancing our capabilities, deepening
our market position, and reinforcing our position as the strategic technology
and data partner to UK financial services."

Stephen Kennedy, CEO PHG Market Pricing commented:

"We are delighted to become a part of the Defaqto family, because of the
exciting ideas we have to grow the business and Defaqto's proven ability to
integrate and add value to the businesses they acquire. I am really excited
about the strong synergies which will deliver significant benefits to the
business and its clients"

For further information please contact:

 Fintel plc                                 via MHP Group

 Matt Timmins (Chief Executive Officer)

 David Thompson (Chief Financial Officer)
 Zeus (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)  +44 (0) 20 3829 5000

 Martin Green

 Dan Bate
 Peel Hunt (Joint Broker)                   +44 (0) 20 7418 8900

 Benjamin Cryer

 Kate Bannatyne

 Alice Lane
 MHP Group (Financial PR)                   +44 (0) 7710 117 517

 Reg Hoare                                  Fintel@mhpgroup.com (mailto:fintel@mhpgroup.com)

 Veronica Farah

 Lexi Iles

 Notes to Editors

 Fintel is a leading provider of software and services to the UK retail
 financial services sector. Through its two divisions, Software & Data and
 Services, and portfolio of trusted brands including Defaqto, Simplybiz and
 threesixty, Fintel provides technology and expert support services to
 thousands of intermediary businesses, data and distribution services to
 hundreds of financial institutions, and expert product ratings that empower
 millions of consumers to make better informed financial decisions.

  For more information about Fintel, please visit the website:
 www.wearefintel.com
 (https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r06/___http:/www.wearefintel.com___.ZXV3MjpuZXh0MTU6YzpvOjIxNmVhMmQzMjFhNTY2OWIxZmI3MmY1ODMzZDRjYjVjOjc6MWE3MzowMjM5MTljNWZmMGY1ZWM2ZjI0Njc5MTlkMjA2MmQxMDA4M2YyNmVhMzRlZmE1YTdjMzA2OTU5OWI2ZGJkODkzOnA6RjpU)

 

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