Data validation & governance top UK digital agendas

Data validation and governance have become leading digital transformation priorities for UK organisations in 2026, according to Workiva research highlighting growing concern about fragmented information flows as companies expand their use of automation and AI.

Workiva's 2026 Benchmark Survey Report is based on responses from 1,497 executives and practitioners in finance and accounting, sustainability, internal audit, operations and legal functions at global organisations.

In the UK, 62% of respondents named automating data collection and validation as their top digital transformation initiative for 2026. A further 20% chose strengthening data governance.

The results suggest many organisations are moving away from isolated reporting improvements and focusing instead on the underlying data processes that support both financial and non-financial reporting. Improving governance for these information sets is now a high priority for 2026.

Funding and ownership

The findings also point to stronger organisational backing for data programmes. In the UK sample, 80% reported IT support for this shift, and 84% cited dedicated budgets.

Together, those indicators suggest initiatives are moving beyond informal fixes within individual teams and into structured programmes with defined resources. They also place IT closer to the centre of reporting and controls, as corporate functions face tighter demands for auditability, traceability and timely access to data.

Workiva Industry Principal for GRC Graeme Fleming said a unified view of data is increasingly important as firms rely on automated processes for business decisions and reporting.

"Whilst AI adoption continues to drive timely, strategic financial decisions, the lack of a unified view of data across the business poses a real risk. Worryingly, almost all (95 percent) of investors agree that leaders underestimate the risk posed by fragmented data in financial reporting," said Graeme Fleming, Industry Principal for GRC, Workiva.

Barriers to influence

The UK results also highlight operational friction linked to data access and quality. Almost half of respondents (44%) said a data issue is preventing them from having a strategic influence at work.

Among these barriers, 20% cited a lack of real-time data, while 24% pointed to restricted access to data held by other departments.

Fleming said such gaps can affect decision-making and confidence in automated outputs.

"Without a unified view of the data, leaders and practitioners do not have all of the relevant insights to make strategic decisions about their business and, worse still, they can't always trust the information that fuels AI. In fact, almost half (44 percent) of UK respondents believe that a data issue is preventing them from having a strategic influence at work, whether through a lack of real-time data (20 percent) or restricted access to data from other departments (24 percent)," said Fleming.

Risk and compliance

As companies increase their reliance on automation and AI, the survey highlights the consequences of weak data foundations. Poor-quality information can disrupt reporting cycles, forecasting and operational planning, and weaken controls and assurance processes across multiple reporting domains.

Fleming linked data quality issues to business and regulatory exposure.

"Consequently, they are not only missing out on the benefits of AI, but they are also at risk of being negatively impacted: poor quality financial and non-financial data can lead to missed opportunities, bad or delayed operational decisions and the potential for regulatory fines or even legal action," said Fleming.

The focus on "financial and non-financial" data reflects broader changes in corporate reporting. Many organisations now report a wider range of metrics to stakeholders, including sustainability information, risk factors and operational indicators. These data sets often sit in different systems and are managed by different teams, complicating standardisation and assurance.

Single source

A recurring theme is the need to consolidate core reporting data and apply governance and standards consistently across departments. Fleming described this as a leadership issue rather than a purely technical exercise.

"To lead effectively, the C-suite must drive transition to a single source of truth. This isn't a back-office project; it's a strategic imperative to ensure 'no surprises' and enable proactive advice on strategy. To mitigate this risk, business leaders must align immediately on unified data sets and reporting standards to anticipate future challenges and advise proactively on strategy. The leaders who are making progress are focusing on fundamentals. For example, they are investing in data quality and governance while integrating finance, technology, and sustainability," said Fleming.

Heading into 2026, the survey suggests UK organisations are directing digital transformation budgets towards data collection, validation and governance, with IT involvement and dedicated funding influencing how quickly programmes move from priorities into delivery.