Marlborough launches low cost platform for advisers
Fund manager Marlborough has launched an investment platform for financial advisers and their clients with an annual charge of 0.2%.
The company says its new Select Platform will offer the latest technology, low charges and a commitment to high levels of service.
The platform is being run by managing director Phil Gilder who was part of the team that launched adviser platform technology company Seccl.
The new Marlborough Select Platform integrates Seccl’s technology with customer relationship management (CRM) software.
This will provide a number of benefits, including comprehensive reporting on portfolio performance, Marlborough says.
A key aim of the Select Platform is to save advisers’ time using application programming interface (API) technology to provide better integration with their back-office systems, reducing the need for repetitive data entry.
There is also a service team who can be contacted by phone, email, live chat or video call.
The platform offers Marlborough’s managed portfolio solutions (MPS) range and Marlborough’s multi-asset funds. Advisers can also access other providers’ investment solutions, which will be added to the platform.
ISA, Junior ISA and self-invested personal pension (SIPP) wrappers are available as well as general investment accounts and the client-facing portal can display the adviser firm’s branding.
Richard Goodall, CEO of Marlborough Group, said: “The Select Platform very much reflects our partnership approach, which is based on working with forward-thinking advisers who share our entrepreneurial spirit, and helping them to grow their businesses.
“With the increased regulatory responsibility heralded by the FCA’s Consumer Duty, we believe advisers will value the opportunity to further enhance their investment communication with clients. We expect this to increase engagement, which should also support clients in making informed investment decisions.”
Phil Gilder, managing director of the platform, said: “We’ve used the latest technology to streamline processes and integrate seamlessly with advisers’ back-office systems. It’s a digital-first, paperless platform that provides a smooth and highly intuitive experience for advisers and their clients.
“We’re also conscious of the cost pressures facing advisers and that Consumer Duty places a significant focus on them achieving value for clients.”
Marlborough has a range of 21 actively managed MPS portfolios offering active, passive or blended options. The portfolios have a 0.25% discretionary management fee. The firm has four multi-asset funds: Marlborough Conservative, Marlborough Cautious, Marlborough Balanced and Marlborough Global and these are free to select from the best funds globally.