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"

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