Insurance Business · 7 Oct, 08:59 · Technology briefing

The build versus buy decision UK insurers are getting wrong

A recent report highlights that UK insurers are increasingly mismanaging the critical build versus buy decision regarding technology infrastructure.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

A recent report highlights that UK insurers are increasingly mismanaging the critical build versus buy decision regarding technology infrastructure. Rather than leveraging existing market solutions, many firms continue investing heavily in custom development, often resulting in inefficiencies and delayed time-to-market. This trend suggests a strategic disconnect where organisations prioritise internal control over operational agility. The analysis indicates that this approach is becoming unsustainable as competitors adopt faster, more scalable commercial software packages. Professionals in the insurance sector must now re-evaluate their technology procurement strategies to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Employer demand for Medical Physics skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This shift demands that you rethink your strategic value within insurance technology. Roles focusing on vendor evaluation, integration, and change management are rising in prominence. If you specialise in custom software development, you must pivot towards understanding commercial ecosystems to remain relevant. Smart professionals will immediately upskill in evaluating third-party solutions and managing complex stakeholder negotiations. Prioritise courses that teach how to assess technology fit rather than just build it. You should demonstrate to your leadership that buying often yields faster ROI than building. Focus on bridging the gap between business needs and vendor capabilities. This is your opportunity to position yourself as a strategic advisor who optimises resources, not just a technical executor who creates bespoke code.

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Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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