7th February 2013

Happy RDR New Year as we hit the road, Jack

Happy New Year tout le monde – I'm not quite sure where January has actually gone! December was a blur for a number of reasons and not all of them social ones – those advisers that I have spent time with in January seem to be all chomping at the bit eager to implement the plans and processes they have spent months agonising over.

January has also been exciting for me with AXA Elevate generously purchasing a number of licenses to my PAT due diligence tool and handing out to some lucky firms who get to receive my independent guidance and assistance in completing their platform due diligence.

Having spent a great deal of time chatting to Elevate-introduced advisers on a 1:1 basis this month, the majority tell me Elevate is a pretty good all round solution for a good number of their clients. Advisers consistently tell us Elevate are really good at providing the touchy feely stuff but what they can’t do is provide an impartial opinion – I on the other hand... So I sincerely hope those jammy advisers have really valued my data analysis, scoring, opinion and guidance and saved themselves heaps of time in the process. Hats off to Elevate for leading the way as a provider and helping advisers with the arduous task of platform due diligence.

The FSA declares that it is imperative that all adviser firms, whether they are happy or not with their current platform provider, keep up to do with who the current players are, the price differentials, functionality needs and align with their own service delivery necessities to clients.

So who’s read our latest free-of-charge publication – An IFAs Guide to The Platform Pricing Galaxy – click here to download it if you haven’t already. I have walked into many IFA offices this month and the guide has been proudly printed, bound and sits in pride of place in the centre of many desks. Has it been useful – I would be really grateful for your feedback – we are always looking for ways to improve our IFA publications making sure they are a useful and worthwhile read.

Ok, we’re are setting off again on the road with The Platforum Dream Team – 2013’s theme is "Best Practice" and we have some great speakers with some interesting messages to share in the form of case studies. Click here for the agenda. We will be popping up in Bristol, Southampton, Birmingham and London in March and April and venturing "up north" to Edinburgh and Manchester in November. The event is free for IFAs so do emailemma@theplatforum.com if you would like to reserve a place – numbers are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

I have received a large surge in IFA user reviews this month which form our User Leaderboard which you will all know as our version of trip advisor. Wealthtime, True Potential, Nucleus, Parmenion and Transact all receiving some great feedback from adviser users. If you are an adviser please do leave your ratings and reviews – you’ll be surprised just how many IFAs value a candid viewpoint. (The providers all tell you they are the best right?) Click hereto leave your reviews and take a look at who the winners and losers are.

I sign off this month by highlighting the latest Money Marketing wrap and platform report supplement – its got some really good insights into whats going on and of course yours truly makes an appearance!

Until next time
PAT

Wraps & Platforms