A survey reveals UK IT and telecoms executives are increasingly willing to take risks, with many eyeing private equity investment and overseas markets to drive growth amid cost and regulatory challenges.
UK technology, IT and telecoms executives are signalling a noticeably stronger appetite for risk as they map growth plans for 2026, according to a survey commissioned by mid-market investor ECI Partners, with many firms also actively weighing private equity and overseas expansion to accelerate scale.
ECI’s research found 55% of respondents in the tech, IT and telecoms cohort reported being more willing to take risks than a year earlier, while 21% said their risk appetite had fallen and 24% saw no change. Across the broader UK business community, ECI and accompanying coverage show a lower aggregate figure , around 47% , reflecting variation by sector and company size, with larger organisations and technology firms tending to be the most upbeat. According to ECI’s analysis, 57% of businesses with more than 500 employees expressed higher risk tolerance and tech companies led overall confidence readings.
Cost pressures remain the dominant headwind. The ECI survey and parallel reporting name rising operating costs as the single greatest concern facing firms, cited by around 31–33% of participants. Other recurring worries include the pace of digital transformation, the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence, talent shortages and regulatory compliance, each accounting for smaller but material shares of anxiety among leaders.
Interest in private equity is pronounced. ECI’s poll indicates roughly half of tech, IT and telecoms businesses are considering private equity investment, and respondents expect more than capital from potential partners. Sector know‑how and networks, alongside technology and AI expertise, were each highlighted as leading benefits. ECI’s findings dovetail with wider market signals: industry reports note a resurgence of private equity activity focused on tech‑enabled, recurring‑revenue businesses and a growing willingness among PE houses to pursue UK deals and cross‑border transactions.
Many companies see external funding as a route to international markets. The survey shows an overwhelming majority of tech, IT and telecoms leaders view overseas expansion as a key growth lever for 2026, with more than four in five to nearly nine in ten firms (depending on the sample breakdown) considering cross‑border strategies. When it comes to financing that expansion, respondents most commonly pointed to private equity and venture capital, with government grants and bank lending also cited as options. Executives described a range of market entry approaches under consideration, from hiring local sales teams and partner distributions to acquisitions and product localisation, while flagging compliance and procurement differences as practical hurdles.
The broader private equity backdrop supports this appetite. Sector analyses published by specialist firms point to rising deal appetite in the UK and an increasing focus on quality, margin improvement and future‑fit growth stories; separate surveys of PE professionals report a growing orientation towards international transactions and public‑to‑private opportunities. These trends help explain why management teams are approaching PE houses as strategic collaborators rather than purely financial backers.
Commenting on the survey, Tom Wrenn, Managing Partner at ECI, said: “This research is what we like to see as investors – positive sentiment from UK business leaders with a renewed appetite for risk. What is particularly striking is the number of management teams actively considering private equity as they look to expand internationally and navigate the shifting sands of GenAI. We see this from the Founders and CEOs we speak with, who are looking for experience and expertise from their partner to navigate the growth opportunities ahead of them. Across five decades of investing we’ve refined a repeatable value creation model, which is one reason many CEOs look to partner with ECI. The findings reflect this, underlining that businesses increasingly see PE as a strategic partner, not just a provider of capital.”,
ECI says it manages funds of about GBP £3bn and targets growth businesses valued up to GBP £300m, taking majority or minority stakes. For UK tech leaders, then, the year ahead appears to be defined by a willingness to embrace risk, a pragmatic hunt for know‑how alongside cash, and a clear push to translate that combination into international growth despite lingering cost and regulatory pressures.
- https://itbrief.co.uk/story/uk-tech-leaders-embrace-risk-private-equity-global-growth – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.business-money.com/announcements/uk-tech-leaders-embrace-risk-as-confidence-returns/ – A recent survey by ECI Partners reveals that 55% of UK tech, IT, and telecoms leaders are more willing to take risks than a year ago, indicating increased optimism. Rising costs are the primary concern for 31% of respondents, followed by digital transformation (15%), AI threats (14%), talent shortages (11%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The study also highlights a growing interest in private equity, with 54% considering such investments, and a strong inclination towards international expansion, with over 89% contemplating it as a growth strategy for 2026.
- https://www.uktech.news/news/half-of-uk-business-owners-more-willing-to-take-risks-as-confidence-grows-20260108 – A recent survey by ECI Partners reveals that 47% of UK business owners and CEOs are more willing to take risks than a year ago, signalling increased optimism. Confidence grows with company size, with 57% of businesses employing over 500 people expressing a higher risk appetite. Technology companies lead in confidence, with 58% reporting a greater willingness to take risks, while only 31% of retail sector companies share this sentiment. Rising costs remain the top concern for 33% of respondents, followed by digital transformation (14%), AI threats (13%), and regulatory compliance (11%).
- https://www.ecipartners.com/news-and-insights/insights/2026/uk-business-leaders-ceo-business-confidence-risk-appetite-2026 – ECI Partners’ recent survey indicates that 47% of UK business leaders are more willing to take risks than a year ago, with technology businesses leading at 58%. Confidence increases with company size, with 57% of businesses with over 500 employees more open to risk. Rising costs are the primary concern for 33% of respondents, followed by digital transformation (14%), AI threats (13%), and regulatory compliance (11%). The survey also highlights a robust outlook for private equity, with 57% of businesses considering such investments, and a strong inclination towards international expansion, with 84% of medium-sized businesses contemplating it as a growth driver for 2026.
- https://www.business-money.com/announcements/uk-business-leaders-show-renewed-appetite-for-risk-as-confidence-returns/ – A recent survey by ECI Partners reveals that 47% of UK business owners and CEOs are more willing to take risks than a year ago, signalling increased optimism. Confidence grows with company size, with 57% of businesses employing over 500 people expressing a higher risk appetite. Technology companies lead in confidence, with 58% reporting a greater willingness to take risks, while only 31% of retail sector companies share this sentiment. Rising costs remain the top concern for 33% of respondents, followed by digital transformation (14%), AI threats (13%), and regulatory compliance (11%).
- https://www.siglobal.com/insights/private-equity-report-2025 – SI Global’s 2025 Private Equity Insights Report indicates a 21% year-on-year increase in private equity investment in the agency services sector, marking a significant rebound from the 2023 downturn. The report highlights a shift in investment patterns, with a focus on quality, margin improvement, and future-fit growth stories, particularly those that are tech-enabled and digitally mature. The findings suggest a growing appetite for private equity in the UK, with Southeast Asia, the UK, and the US leading in investment, each with distinct drivers.
- https://www.business-sale.com/insights/industry-insights/confidence-in-uk-deals-increasing-among-pe-firms-226741 – A recent study by Deutsche Numis reveals increased confidence among UK private equity professionals, with 81% viewing the UK as more attractive for M&A activity compared to other regions. The survey indicates a growing interest in public-to-private transactions, with 26% of respondents focusing on UK public assets, up from 14% in 2023. Additionally, 38% of professionals are exploring international deals, compared to 15% in 2023, reflecting a broader strategic outlook among UK private equity firms.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article was published on 4th February 2026. Similar findings were reported by ECI Partners on 8th January 2026, indicating that the core data is not new. ([ecipartners.com](https://www.ecipartners.com/news-and-insights/insights/2026/uk-business-leaders-ceo-business-confidence-risk-appetite-2026?utm_source=openai)) However, the specific focus on technology, IT, and telecoms sectors in the current article adds a degree of freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The article includes a direct quote from Tom Wrenn, Managing Partner at ECI Partners. A search for this quote reveals it was first published on 8th January 2026. ([ecipartners.com](https://www.ecipartners.com/news-and-insights/insights/2026/uk-business-leaders-ceo-business-confidence-risk-appetite-2026?utm_source=openai)) This suggests the quote is reused from earlier publications, raising concerns about originality.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article originates from IT Brief UK, a niche publication focusing on technology news. While it provides industry-specific insights, its reach and reputation are limited compared to major news organisations.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about increased risk appetite among UK tech leaders and interest in private equity align with broader industry trends. ([ecipartners.com](https://www.ecipartners.com/news-and-insights/insights/2026/uk-business-leaders-ceo-business-confidence-risk-appetite-2026?utm_source=openai)) However, the article lacks specific examples or data points to substantiate these claims, which diminishes its credibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents findings from a survey commissioned by ECI Partners, with a focus on UK tech leaders’ increased risk appetite and interest in private equity. However, the content lacks originality, as it reuses quotes from earlier publications and relies heavily on a press release from ECI Partners without independent verification. These factors raise concerns about the freshness, originality, and reliability of the information presented.