St James's Place has seen its assets hit £135bn due to net flows of £2.9bn in the first quarter of the year.
An update to investors this morning (April 29) showed net flows in the first three months of 2021 were up 22 per cent on the same period last year.
Investment returns were down slightly on last year but still added £3.22bn to SJP's assets.
Funds retention was steady, at 95.8 per cent compared with 95.4 per cent last year.
SJP chief executive Andrew Croft said: "I'm pleased to announce a record quarter for St James's Place. The moderate growth in new business that we saw in the early weeks of 2021 gathered pace through the quarter as confidence improved and clients sought to commit accumulated savings to longer-term investments.
"This, together with strong activity linked to tax year-end planning, resulted in an exceptional new business performance in March bringing gross inflows for the quarter to £4.79bn, 19 per cent higher than the corresponding period last year."
SJP's pension business made up the bulk of the inflows at £1.92bn, in addition to a net investment return of £1.52bn.
Investments saw £80m of net flows and delivered £800m in returns, while the Isa and DFM business delivered £900m in net flows and investment returns.
Croft added: "Although Covid-19 restrictions and economic uncertainty continue, the demand for trusted advice is stronger than ever and I am confident that, given the quality of the partnership and the strength of our client proposition, we are well placed to deliver another good year for St James's Place."
carmen.reichman@ft.com
