Architas is the company in the investment sector that has improved the most in this year’s Service Awards.
Sarah Ackland, head of UK funds, says she is particularly proud of this accolade at a time when regulatory challenges are becoming ever more demanding, especially for advisers.
She says: “The role of a product provider like Architas is to support the adviser in meeting these requirements.
“This could be through the use of our new digital investment tools that allow advisers to really drill down into our funds, or information to meet new regulations like the target market assessment.
“Our focus is always to be as close to and as responsive as possible to advisers. This 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.”
The company also tries to ensure all the content it produces is relevant, interesting and simple to understand, and importantly wherever possible written in a way for advisers to share with their clients.
Looking ahead, the business plans to continue evolving the way it produces information for advisers and their clients.
Ms Ackland adds: “During 2019 we introduced a weekly podcast series that gives our latest views on what is happening in financial markets, as well as a more in-depth monthly update on how we are tactically changing our portfolios.
“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.”
Way to success
• Introduced digital investment tools so advisers can drill down into Architas’ funds.
• Ran UK-wide events.
• Produced relevant and interesting content that advisers could share with clients.
• Launched a weekly podcast series and an in-depth monthly update.