Architas
Actions in past year
• Supported adviser in meeting regulatory requirements, which have become more demanding.
• Developed digital investment tools that allow advisers to really drill down into funds.
• Provided information to meet new regulations like the target market assessment.
Upcoming plans
• Produce content of interest to both advisers, and their clients.
• Continue developing podcast series that gives latest up-to-date view on what is happening in financial markets.
• Produce more in depth monthly updates on how the firm is tactically changing its portfolios.
Sarah Ackland, head of UK funds at Architas, says: “Our aim is to help advisers and their clients achieve what they both want in as straightforward and simple a way as possible. To receive this excellent level of recognition from advisers is a great endorsement of the partnership we have built with advisers to help meet the needs of their clients.
“Our focus is always to be as close to and as responsive as possible to advisers. This approach runs through everything we do, from events we run right across the country, to the fact we make sure the content is educational and not just a product promotion and is CPD-accredited.
“We have also tried to make sure that all the content we produce is relevant, interesting and simple to understand, and importantly wherever possible written in a way for advisers to share with their clients.”
Transact
Actions in past year
• Continued to expand the role of new client online service managers to complement small, in-house client service teams.
• Prepared the business to meet the requirements of the Retirement Outcomes Review.
• Origo for pension transfers has total market coverage.
• Revamped marketing website, which includes targeted adviser and client information.
• Added a section to Transact Online (TOL) entitled ‘Helpful Videos for Your Client’.
• Ongoing programme of ‘responsible pricing’ into 2019.
• Monthly system enhancements bring new functionality to TOL.
• Direct access for advisers to technical services team for support on client-specific queries.
Upcoming plans
• Continue to provide unlimited, accessible support from regional business and adviser support managers, technical support team and client service teams.
• Continue to deliver monthly platform technology updates in a stable, sustainable way.
• Advisers approaching retirement, or looking to expand their business, can make use of the matchmaking service provided by Transact, whereby like-minded advisers can be matched as buyers or sellers.
Jonathan Gunby, chief development officer, says: “As thought leaders we pride ourselves on often being first to market with new products and responding quickly to regulatory change.”
