Platforum’s research in the direct to consumer market allows firms to look behind the scenes into direct platforms in the UK to provide a benchmark for asset growth and to inform proposition development.

We look at the characteristics of propositions in the market and survey consumers on their routes to market. We cover current issues including: regulatory changes, the impact of the new pensions freedoms, the evolution of investment solutions, changes to platform and fund management pricing and external influences like the growth of US robo advisers.

Platforum publishes reports on UK, European and Asian fund distribution.

In the UK, we analyse the influences involved and aim to bring providers closer to the fund selectors, distributors, platforms and the end investor.

Our European Platforms and Open Architecture guide provides an overview of platforms in the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.

The Asian Fund Distribution Guide provides an overview of the fund markets across Asia, aiming to provide an overview of distribution, the major players, levels of demand for third party distribution and opportunities for non-local firm.

Despite the importance of financial advisers in the retail investment industry, there is little analysis and insight on the shape, structure and evolution of the adviser market. The Adviser Market research stream aims to address this gap by drawing out the key trends and themes through Platforum’s analysis of the available market data and our own extensive qualitative research with adviser firms.