The Platforum conducts research into the UK and European platform industry. Click on a publication below to view more information.
Swirls of movement continue on the D2C supply side. Platforms that have targetted SIPP assets have done well. The stockbrokers continue their march into funds and offering general investment propositions. And the life companies and adviser platforms are looking at ways to facilitate execution-only propositions for the adviser community.
It is more important than ever for groups to understand the way financial advisers interact with platforms in order to piece together a view of where the market is heading. How should platforms adapt their business models to reflect these trends? What opportunities and challenges does a growing platform market pose for asset managers, life companies and service providers when forming strategic relationships?
In June 2012, the Fund Platform Group (FPG) decided to conduct some research with the aim of identifying some of the key challenges and changes faced across Europe by those working in retail financial services. The survey was conducted over a four week period throughout October 2012 among some of the most influential platform groups, fund buyers and fund sellers across Europe.
Released in March 2013, this second edition of the Guide to European Platforms and Open Architecture provides an overview of platforms in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK. We also look at the growing cross-border players. The report reviews distribution in each market, takes a look at the major open architecture platforms across Europe and ends with a look at revenue models and future trends.
The Platforum is pleased to bring you our first Guide to Platform Pricing – a reference document for all advisers wanting help with understanding the latest pricing structures of today’s 30+ adviser platforms. This paper aims to provide financial advisers with the fundamentals to have an informed discussion with their platform about fees and charges, to quantify any ‘trade-off’ between price and value and be sure that he or she has the latest details of ‘RDR-ready’ platform pricing.
Since we wrote our preview issue last November, the corporate platform market has broadened a bit, deepened a bit, but remained steady in many ways. What has changed is the level of noise about these complex and multi-faceted propositions that are trying to find their feet in the corporate benefits space.
This report starts with the consumer, looks at the degree of advice which is taken both today and in the future, analyses where consumers will go to access financial products, what will influence buying decisions and, ultimately, what this all means for those in the ‘factories’, making investment product for this world of skinnier margins, low returns and advice and platforms which, surprise surprise, are not free.
We find the market research useful, and when it has been applicable, we have used it to provide context in Board discussions.
Charlie Eppinger, Chairman, Cofunds
As the platform arena becomes ever more important across the distribution landscape the research provided by Platforum is not only timely, useful and insightful, but is also market leading.
Jasper Berens, Head of UK Intermediary Sales, JP Morgan Asset Management
We've seen a number of reports on platforms - the UK Platform Report is the most detailed and informative, and is one I refer to frequently"
Simon Bussy, eBusiness Manager, Zurich
Well done - an exceptionally good report…I’m only part way through and you have not over-sold it! .
Hugo Thorman, MD, Ascentric
White Papers
The Platforum has authored several white papers. These include:
Stochastic Modelling Tools: A Hitchhikers Guide - View the paper here
Cash on Platforms: King or Joker? - View the paper here
Employee Benefits Platforms - View the paper here
