Defaqto acquires Pearson Ham’s market pricing business

Defaqto has acquired Pearson Ham’s market pricing business for £11m.

Pearson Ham specialises in pricing strategy, price optimisation, discount management and capability development. In insurance, it provides market price tracking services, working with most providers in the UK.

Defaqto said acquiring its market pricing business was a strategic move that would boost its portfolio of data and technology propositions for the UK retail financial services and insurance industries.

It also felt the addition of the business meant it had ”extensive product and pricing datasets in the UK personal lines insurance market, covering motor, home, travel and pet insurance”.

John Milliken, chief executive at Defaqto, said: “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 artificial intelligence (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 has the tools to help the industry to better understand and deliver consumer value.”

Plans for integration

The £11m acquisition was completed through Defaqto’s parent company Fintel.

The market pricing business will initially operate as a standalone entity before being integrated into Defaqto during 2026.

Stephen Kennedy, chief executive of Pearson Ham market pricing, said: “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.”