UK insurers are redirecting technology budgets toward post-merger integration and data migration following four major market consolidation deals, the Sollers Prediction Report 2026 said.
Sollers said M&A activity is pushing integration work higher on transformation roadmaps, with investment aimed at system migration, IT estate rationalisation, automation and artificial intelligence. The report frames these efforts around simplifying technology stacks, modernising core platforms and removing process bottlenecks that delay delivery.
“Rapid data migration after M&A is possible when insurers combine deep mutual institutional knowledge with strong cross-team collaboration,” said Michał Litwiński (pictured left), UK GI lead at Sollers.
While integration programmes are often discussed in terms of synergy delivery, the practical challenge remains the transfer and alignment of data across incompatible systems. Experian has warned that inaccurate or delayed data migration during M&A can trigger operational disruption, regulatory exposure, service issues and delays in capturing deal value. Experian also said integration projects typically require data cleansing, deduplication and standardisation to create a unified customer view.
Sollers’ report links this operational agenda to underwriting and pricing execution. It said insurers are prioritising stronger data integration, modern rating platforms and AI-enabled underwriting process changes, which it connects to “fair, competitive pricing.” Deloitte’s 2026 global insurance outlook adds that scaling AI depends on data quality, modernised systems and security foundations, with insurers needing standardisation and stronger controls to avoid inconsistent outputs and reduced trust.
In the Lloyd’s and London Market, Sollers said modernisation priorities include policy administration system consolidation, adoption of Blueprint Two-compatible core solutions, and the use of flexible pricing platforms integrated with underwriting systems. It also points to efforts to reduce spreadsheet-led workflows and centralise submission processes on unified platforms.
“Replacing fragmented workflows with unified platforms has shown that success hinges on deep migration experience,” Wojciech Korobacz (pictured right), head of UK London Market in the Sollers report, wrote. “Cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to manage the entire submission lifecycle in one place will become focus topics.”
The report also flags market conditions that influence budget decisions. It said the Lloyd’s and London Market is moving into a softening phase, linked to increased competition and potential profitability pressure. It expects continued consolidation, while rate stagnation or declines in commercial and reinsurance lines may complicate pricing decisions. Sollers said that after a relatively benign claims environment in the second half of 2025, uncertainty remains around future loss activity, citing the Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025 as a factor weighing on annual results.
Sollers said its 2026 edition reviews market and technology trends across nine regions and reported that 91% of its 2025 predictions were correct or partially correct, up 1.2 percentage points.
