Winners 2016
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Leading platform journalist
Winner: Sam Brodbeck
Sponsored by IFDS
Our winner broke some of the biggest stories around platform consolidation in 2015/16 but he didn’t just break the stories. He demonstrated a knowledge of context and of the wider industry by providing insight and analysis which moved the story forward.
• Clive Waller, Managing Director, UKPA
• Sam Brodbeck
• Steve Parkinson, CEO Platforms, IFDS
• Kate Silverton -
Dynamic Planner best platform for adviser service
Winner: AXA Elevate
Sponsored by Dynamic Planner
The winner of the award is the platform that received the highest average score across a four service categories in a survey run throughout the summer by the PFS and promoted by Professional Adviser. The survey attracted over 1300 votes.
In second place: Parmenion
• Clive Waller, Managing Director, UKPA
• David Strattton, Head Of Ifa Distribution, Old Mutual Wealth
• Kate Silverton
• Ben Goss, CEO, Distribution Technology -
The platform of the decade
Winner: Transact
Sponsored by Genpact
This platform broke the mould, challenged the market model, and set the pace of change. They have delighted their users and clients with super service, employing highly competent, well-trained personnel to ensure satisfaction, day in, day out for well over a decade.
In second place: Nucleus
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Barry Frame, VP Business Development, Open Wealth Genpact
• Glen Sweet, Head Of Sales, Transact
• Kate Silverton -
Best institutional platform
Winner: Allfunds
Sponsored by Calastone
Our winner came from nowhere just a couple of years ago; today they offer a great all round proposition. They do everything. Their growth is outstanding. They have achieved scale in Europe and the UK.
In second place and highly commended: SEI.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Teresa Walker, Client Relationship Director, Calastone
• Simon Shapland, UK Country Head, Allfunds
• Kate Silverton -
Leading innovation in workplace solutions
Winner: Hymans Robertson
Sponsored by Professional Pensions
The winner has built a system that addresses both employer and employee needs. They show fresh enthusiasm, passion and customer focus and unsurprisingly demonstrates really positive results.
In second place: Staffcare.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Jonathan Stapleton, Editor, Professional Pensions
• John Taylor, Partner, Hymans Robertson
• Kate Silverton -
Best investment management platform proposition
Winner: Nucleus
Sponsored by Fundscape
The winner has made huge progress in investment support, adopting a rare partnership approach with advisers, putting them in the driving seat. These people understand that their job is to support advisers helping their clients.
Second: Standard Life Wrap.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Scott Macdonald, Operational Finance Manager, Nucleus
• Bella Caridade- Ferreira, CEO, Fundscape
• Gordon Murray, Client Services Director, Nucleus
• Kate Silverton -
Best wealth management platform
Winner: Succession
Sponsored by SEI
This is a really clear, client-focused wealth management proposition. It offers the full range of wealth management, financial planning and corporate planning services. The investment matrix has been built with clients in mind.
In second place and highly commended: Old Mutual.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Simon Taylor, Platform & Investment Director, Succession Advisory Services
• Brett Williams, Managing Director, SEI
• Kate Silverton -
Leading Innovation award
Winner: Nucleus
Sponsored by GBST
The judges loved this entry. They said they have created a true and meaningful picture of a client’s portfolio’s real performance over time, time and money weighted. This product was developed with advisers using new technology to provide them with truly bespoke, accurate reporting..
In second place and highly commended: Scalable Capital.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Andy Smith, Chief Technology Officer, Nucleus
• Rob De Dominicis, CEO, GBST
• James Desmond, Adviser Communications Manager
• Kate Silverton -
Leading independent planning tool provider
Winner: FE Analytics
Sponsored by Bravura Solutions
The winner was found by asking those who use these applications, the advisers, to vote.
In second place: Voyant.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Tony Klim, Group CEO, Bravura Solutions
• Gary Wheeler, Sales Director, FE
• Kate Silverton -
Leading integrated planning tool provider
Winner: Technical Connection and Seven Investment Management
Sponsored by RSMR
The judges said they pushed the boundaries of how platforms and their planning tool partners can interact with end customers. It looks good and combines a great games-based DNA with robust technical excellence from one of the industries most trusted brands.
In second place and highly commended: Intelliflo and Cofunds.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Verona Smith, Head Of Platform, 7IM
• Simon Forrester, Business Development Manager, RSMR
• Tony Wickenden, Joint Managing Director, Technical Connection
• Kate Silverton -
Leading platform-enabled retirement proposition
Winner: AJ Bell Investcentre
Sponsored by Dunstan Thomas
The winner here, the judges said, sets the standard for flexibility of investment, for technical support and has invested heavily in technology, all supported by a strong underlying platform.
In second place and highly commended: Zurich.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Mike Morrison, Head Of Platform Technical, AJ Bell
• Graeme Gets, Founder, Digital Keystone
• Kate Silverton -
Leading innovation in investor engagement on platforms
Winner: Wealth Wizards
Sponsored by Winterflood Business Services
The winner sets the standard for flexibility of investment, for technical support and has invested heavily in technology, all supported by a strong underlying platform.
Second and highly commended : Wealthify.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Philip Blows, Account Director, Wealth Wizards
• Helen Oxley, Head Of Business Development, Winterflood Business Services
• Kate Silverton -
Best use of platform technology
Winner: Digital Keystone and Aegon
Sponsored by Professional Adviser
This entry shows the benefit of a long-term relationship between platform manager and their technology supplier and the importance of integration and connectivity; the winning partnership offers an excellent user experience that feels really modern.
Joint second: GBST and Just Retirement, GBST and Retirement Advantage.
• Matthew Pheasey, Distribution Director, Aegon
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Julian Marr, Editor, Professional Adviser
• Martin Coyle, Strategic Retail Director, Aegon
• Graeme Gets, Founder, Digital Keystone
• Kate Silverton -
Leading adviser practice (up to 10 advisers)
Winner: Price Bailey
Sponsored by FNZ
The winner is a firm that runs a sophisticated discretionary proposition plus a tax planning service at really low cost on Praemium’s platform. In their own words “If you have a great proposition and great service, you will have a great business.” The winner certainly has all of that.
In second place: First Wealth.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Christopher James, Managing Director, FNZ TA Services
• James King, Partner, Price Bailey
• Kate Silverton -
Leading adviser business (over 10 advisers)
Winner: Aspect 8
Sponsored by Old Mutual Wealth
The winner, the judges said, demonstrates an incredible depth of understanding of the business; a combination of technology, investment and financial planning that provides the client with outstanding service at a very realistic cost. Running on the SEI powered Fusion Wealth platform.
In second place and highly commended: True Potential.
• Scott Goodsir, Managing Director Uk Distribution, Old Mutual Wealth
• Ian Cooke, CEO, Aspect 8
• Brian Potter, Director, Aspect 8
• Kate Silverton -
Best platform provider (AUM up to 15 billion)
Winner: AXA Elevate
Sponsored by The Lang Cat
The winner was found by asking those who use the platforms, the advisers, to vote. 1300 did vote.
In second place: Parmenion
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Mark Polson, CEO, The Lang Cat
• Nick Lee, Managing Director AXA Self Investor
• Kate Silverton -
Best platform provider (AUM over £15 billion)
Winner: Standard Life Wrap
Sponsored by FE
The winner was found by asking those who use the platforms, the advisers, to vote. 1300 did vote.
In second place: Transact.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Noel Butwell, UK Distribution Director, Standard Life
• Gary Wheeler, Sales Director, FE
• Kate Silverton -
Platform of the Year 2016
Winner: Nucleus
Sponsored by Schroders
Our winner has been through the pain of re-platforming and is now flying. It is one of the most transparent of platforms with the customer at its heart. Their new investment solution is the best the judges have seen and they have a clear distribution strategy. In addition, they are profitable!
In second place and highly commended: Seven Investment Management.
In third place and highly commended: Fusion Wealth.
• Keith Richards, CEO, Personal Finance Society
• Doug Heron, Chief Financial Officer, Nucleus
• James Rainbow, Head Of UK Financial Institutions & Strategic Accounts, Schroders
• Garry Mcluckie, Nucleus
• Kate Silverton