The UK adviser platform sector has stabilised at its highest assets under administration in five years, driven by increased confidence, broader choice, and evolving selection criteria, according to Defaqto’s latest report.
The UK adviser platform market has entered a more settled phase, with assets under administration now at their highest level in five years, according to new research from Defaqto.
The firm’s first “In Focus: Adviser Platforms” report says 32 platforms from 27 providers are active in the market, underlining both the breadth of choice available to advisers and the degree of consolidation that has taken place over time. Defaqto said the sector has expanded and matured over the past two decades, while recent data suggests it is now stabilising after a period of rapid growth and change.
That recovery in platform assets comes despite a dip in 2023-24, which Defaqto links to renewed confidence in investment markets and in the platform model itself. The report also points to a more demanding selection process, with advisers placing greater weight on due diligence, functionality and the ability of a platform to support better client outcomes.
Analysis of recommendations made through Defaqto Engage during 2025 found that Quilter and Aviva together accounted for 46% of adviser platform inflows. Financial strength, online functionality and suitability for the intended client base were among the most commonly used criteria when advisers were choosing between providers.
The report comes as service quality continues to shape the competitive landscape. Defaqto’s 2026 Service Rating Analysis for platforms found that new business administration is the most important service discipline for advisers, with satisfaction levels varying across different operational areas. Fundment was ranked top for service in that study, based on adviser feedback and the weighting of service categories.
Defaqto said future change could be driven by the Consumer Duty, artificial intelligence-enabled tools, targeted support and simplified advice, all of which may influence how advisers assess platforms and how providers develop their propositions. The report includes service ratings, star rating criteria, financial strength assessments and platform profiles covering areas such as charges, cash handling, re-registration, capital gains tax tools and other due diligence data.
Andrew Duthie, insight manager for wealth and protection at Defaqto, said adviser platforms had become central to how advice firms work and how client outcomes are delivered. He said firms were now balancing tougher expectations around due diligence and service with the opportunities created by automation and digital servicing.
- https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/news/platform-aua-reaches-five-year-high/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.defaqto.com/resources/2026-service-rating-analysis-platforms – Defaqto’s 2026 Service Rating Analysis for platforms presents findings from an annual satisfaction survey among financial advisers, assessing service levels of wealth and protection product providers. The report highlights that new business administration is the most important service discipline, with satisfaction levels ranging from 70% to 84% across various areas. Fundment emerged as the top-ranked platform for service in 2026, based on adviser feedback and weighted importance of service disciplines.
- https://parmenion.co.uk/insight-and-resources/news-and-insights/one-of-the-uk-s-fastest-growing-platforms/ – Parmenion reports a 25% growth in assets under management and administration (AUMA) in 2025, reaching £16.4 billion. The company also achieved record gross flows of £3.3 billion, positioning itself among the UK’s fastest-growing platforms. Parmenion was ranked as the most recommended UK adviser platform by advisers, according to the Investment Trends 2025 UK Adviser Technology and Business Report.
- https://www.defaqto.com/resources/2026-service-rating-analysis-dfm – Defaqto’s 2026 Service Rating Analysis for Discretionary Fund Managers (DFMs) provides insights from an annual satisfaction survey among financial advisers. The report indicates that quality of staff—investment and existing business are the most important service disciplines, with satisfaction levels ranging from 81% to 90% across various areas. Timeline was ranked first overall for DFM service in 2026, based on adviser feedback and weighted importance of service disciplines.
- https://www.defaqto.com/resources/2026-service-rating-analysis-bonds – Defaqto’s 2026 Service Rating Analysis for bonds presents findings from an annual satisfaction survey among financial advisers, assessing service levels of wealth and protection product providers. The report highlights that existing business administration is the most important service discipline, with satisfaction levels ranging from 70% to 78% across various areas. Performance varies across operational disciplines, with highest scoring providers differing across administration, new business, online facilities, reporting, and technical support.
- https://www.defaqto.com/resources/2026-service-rating-analysis-pensions – Defaqto’s 2026 Service Rating Analysis for pensions provides insights from an annual satisfaction survey among financial advisers. The report indicates that new business administration ranks highest in importance, followed jointly by administration staff and existing business administration. Satisfaction levels range from 76% to 86% across various disciplines, with performance varying across operational and decumulation services. Highest scoring providers differ across administration, reporting, online facilities, and decumulation servicing.
- https://www.defaqto.com/solutions/engage/defaqto-in-focus-mps – Defaqto’s ‘In Focus: MPS’ report offers comprehensive analysis of the Managed Portfolio Service (MPS) market. Part 1, ‘View from Above: Market Landscape,’ reveals trends from over 2,000 portfolio platforms across more than 120 firms, covering areas such as ESG adoption, pricing shifts, and platform growth. Part 2, ‘On the Ground: Provider Perspective,’ provides firm-level analysis across multiple data points, assisting discretionary fund managers, asset managers, and advisers in understanding market dynamics and making informed decisions.
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The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
6
Notes:
The article references Defaqto’s “In Focus: Adviser Platforms” report, which is not publicly accessible due to website restrictions. Without access to the original report, it’s challenging to verify the freshness and originality of the content. The article’s publication date is not provided, making it difficult to assess if the information is recent or recycled. The lack of accessible sources raises concerns about the article’s freshness and originality.
Quotes check
Score:
4
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes attributed to Andrew Duthie, insight manager for wealth and protection at Defaqto. However, without access to the original report or independent verification, it’s impossible to confirm the authenticity of these quotes. The absence of verifiable sources for these quotes is a significant concern.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
The article originates from Money Marketing, a UK-based publication focusing on financial services. However, the lack of access to the original Defaqto report and the inability to verify the content independently raises questions about the reliability of the information presented.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about the UK adviser platform market reaching a five-year high in assets under administration and the dominance of Quilter and Aviva in adviser platform inflows are plausible. However, without access to the original Defaqto report or independent verification, it’s difficult to confirm the accuracy of these claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The article’s reliance on a non-publicly accessible Defaqto report, the inability to verify quotes and data independently, and the lack of accessible sources raise significant concerns about its accuracy and reliability. Without access to the original report or independent verification, publishing this content is not recommended.