Chess Board Predictions 2026: What UK Organisations Need to Prepare For

As the UK enters 2026, business leaders face another year defined by rapid technological change, rising security pressures, and a renewed focus on efficiency. Against that backdrop, senior figures from Chess have shared their view of the forces shaping the year ahead — from the global economic outlook to the impact of AI, and the operational decisions that could determine which organisations thrive and which struggle.

Their message is consistent: technology is no longer a back‑office choice. It is now central to cost control, resilience, and long‑term competitiveness.

Economic Caution, Technology Resolve

David Pollock — Founder & Chairman

Chess founder and chairman David Pollock begins with a rare note of optimism. Despite two years of uncertainty, he expects the UK economy to find its footing in 2026. Sterling could strengthen, inflation may ease — even if inconsistently — and interest rates appear set for a gentle downward path.

Internationally, he predicts a mixed picture: a US economy likely to rebound after short‑term volatility, India continuing its rise, and China steadily moving forward with quiet but persistent growth. He also believes that the long‑running conflict in Ukraine may edge closer to a ceasefire.

Yet it’s technology, not macroeconomics, that David sees as the defining force of 2026. AI adoption is “the big game in town,” already reshaping operations at Chess and accelerating rapidly among customers. Outsourcing — particularly managed support — is becoming more attractive as organisations look for efficiency and resilience.

But his strongest warning is about cybersecurity. With attacks increasing in speed and sophistication, he argues it should sit at the very top of every chief executive’s risk register: “It’s the single thing that can destroy a business.”

AI Crosses Into the Mainstream

Warren Pryer — Group Sales Director

If 2024 and 2025 were the years of experimentation, Group Sales Director Warren Pryer believes 2026 will be the year AI becomes business as usual for UK organisations.

By the end of the year, he expects 40–45% of companies to be using AI in their daily operations — a dramatic rise driven by new forms of intelligent, goal‑oriented systems. This new wave of technology, which he refers to as “Agentic AI,” can analyse goals, execute actions, monitor performance, and adjust its approach automatically.

• For organisations under pressure, the implications are significant. Warren highlights:
• Around 60% cost savings compared with equivalent human roles
• 24/7 availability with no downtime
• Consistent, high‑quality delivery
• Immediate scalability without recruitment delays

“The scope is almost infinite,” he says, pointing out that Chess is already seeing measurable gains in efficiency and ROI.

His message to businesses: those who move early will secure the biggest advantage.

Security Moves to the Boardroom

Stephen Dracup — Chief Operating Officer

For COO Stephen Dracup, 2026 marks a turning point in the security landscape. Cybersecurity has now moved from an IT challenge to a core organisational risk.

AI — the same technology boosting productivity — is also empowering cybercriminals. Attacks are becoming more personalised, more convincing, and far harder to detect. At the same time, regulators are increasing scrutiny, especially around uncontrolled AI use and weak data governance.

Another rising concern is the blurring of personal and workplace technology. As consumer AI tools become more powerful, employees are increasingly using them for work, creating unintentional data risks.

Meanwhile, quantum advancements are beginning to reshape cryptography, and attackers are increasingly targeting supply chains to access larger organisations.

Stephen argues that organisations need a proactive, governance‑led security model, centred on:

• Clear oversight of AI tools and data flows
• Modern, resilient systems
• Strong supplier governance
• Consistent monitoring and risk management

Those that get this right, he says, will unlock the full value of AI safely and securely.

Cost Pressure Drives Modernisation

Oliver Lofthouse — Sales Director

Sales Director Oliver Lofthouse delivers perhaps the most direct warning: 2026 will be another year of survival for many UK organisations. After two years of rising costs and squeezed margins, the imperative is clear — reducing operational spend is no longer optional.

Traditional cuts — hiring freezes, paused projects, tighter supplier negotiations — may provide temporary relief but do not solve long‑term challenges.
Instead, Oliver argues that cost resilience will come from technology‑led modernisation. Across the customer base, he sees organisations:

• Automating long‑standing manual processes
• Consolidating platforms to gain flexibility
• Reducing waste tied to hardware, licensing, and energy
• Introducing AI to boost productivity and customer service

“The right technology doesn’t increase your costs — it reduces them,” he says.

Chess continues to work with organisations seeking practical ways to modernise, whether through infrastructure upgrades, cloud migrations, security optimisation, or embedding AI into everyday workflows.

A Defining Year for UK Organisations

Across their differing perspectives, the Chess leadership team is united on one point: 2026 will reward organisations that move decisively.

• AI will shift from experimental to essential
• Security demands a board‑level, data‑governed approach
• Modernisation will be central to cost control
• Resilience will come from smarter technology adoption, not deeper cuts

For UK businesses planning their next steps, Chess is ready to help navigate the year ahead — with a focus on reducing risk, increasing efficiency, and unlocking the full value of digital transformation.