Financial technology firm Fintel has reported a landmark year of growth, driven by a major strategic overhaul and a key acquisition that has cemented its position in the UK’s rapidly evolving retail financial services sector.
The Huddersfield-based company saw its turnover rise by almost 10% to £85.9 million for the year ending 31 December 2025, up from £78.3 million the previous year. According to the company, £7.0 million of this growth was inorganic, stemming from acquisitions made in the prior year.
Strategic Shift and Acquisition Power Growth
Chief Executive Matt Timmins described 2025 as a “defining year” for the business, which has undertaken a significant internal transformation. Fintel has streamlined its operations into two core divisions: Software & Data, and Services. This move, the company stated, creates a simpler and more scalable platform intended to underpin its next phase of expansion.
A crucial element of last year’s performance was the acquisition of research firm Rayner Spencer Mills (RSMR). The deal, for which Fintel had announced a conditional agreement to buy a 70% stake in July 2024, contributed £3.4 million in revenue and £1.1 million in EBITDA. The company highlighted that RSMR strategically enhances the fund research and ratings capabilities of its Defaqto brand.
This acquisition is part of a broader pattern of consolidation for Fintel, which has now integrated nine previous buys into its new structure. The company noted that a key lesson from this process has been the importance of cultural alignment and compatible management teams.
Recurring Revenue and Profitability in Focus
The results underscore a deliberate pivot towards stable, predictable income streams. Revenue from Software as a Service (SaaS) and subscriptions jumped 9.6% to £48.7 million, now representing 57% of Fintel’s total revenue.
Profitability metrics also improved. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 16.6% to £25.9 million, with the EBITDA margin strengthening to 30.1%. Operating profit rose to £12.5 million.
While net debt increased to £31.1 million, Fintel emphasised its strong balance sheet position, holding £17.3 million in cash and with £72.5 million of available headroom in its credit facility. The firm said this provides flexibility for further organic and inorganic investment, a strategy already in motion with the earnings-accretive acquisition of Pearson Ham Group’s market pricing business in January 2026.
Positioning for a Transforming Market
Fintel’s strategy is set against a backdrop of significant change in UK financial services, a market being reshaped by technology, data, and regulation such as the Financial Conduct Authority’s Consumer Duty. The sector is also experiencing rapid consolidation, with merger and acquisition activity seeing a notable rise in value and foreign interest during 2025.
The company stated it is positioning itself at the centre of this transformation through its combination of software, proprietary data, and distribution platforms. It has continued to invest in products like the Defaqto Matrix360 market intelligence software and the Omnicore distribution platform, while also embedding artificial intelligence into its technology to reduce the burden on financial advisers.
Looking ahead, Timmins said Fintel’s ambition is “to build the most connected, insight rich and intelligent platform in the sector.” A significant step towards this will be the scheduled launch of the Defaqto Unity Platform in the third quarter of 2026.
The company faces competition from a range of firms including Alpha Financial Markets Consulting, GlobalData, and larger international players like Morningstar and FactSet.
Shareholder Returns and Confident Outlook
Reflecting its confident performance, Fintel is proposing a final dividend of 2.5 pence per share, making a full-year dividend of 3.8 pence per share—a 4.1% increase on the previous year and continuing a three-year streak of dividend growth.
In a statement, CEO Matt Timmins said: “We have entered the new financial year with clear strategic momentum, high levels of recurring revenues and a stronger platform enabling opportunities for organic growth. Fintel has made a strong start to FY26, with trading in line with the board’s expectations; the group is poised to accelerate its strategy to deliver long term value for advisers, partners and shareholders alike.”
