Nucleus, the adviser-built wrap platform, announced record profits in its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2017.

The group generated a 19% increase in operating profit from 2016’s £4.3m to £5.1m in the latest figures.
 
Assets under administration rose 22% from £11.1bn to £13.6bn as a result of a rising equity market and an increase in net inflows over the course of the year.
 
Gross inflows increased by 41% to £2.6bn, which the firm said was as a consequence of improved market sentiment and investor confidence, while net inflows for the full year increased by 72% from £1.0bn to £1.7bn representing a gross/net ratio of 64%.

Revenue increased from £33.3m to £40.4m.

 
David Ferguson, founder and chief executive of Nucleus, said: “Our focus on attracting long-term net inflows and growing assets under administration has delivered another year of strong results for Nucleus.

The advised platform market continues to grow strongly and our audience continues to thrive.

“We are better positioned than ever before to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities in the platform sector over the coming years.”
 
“We have invested heavily in large-scale infrastructure initiatives over the past three years to lay the foundations for the next stage of our growth.

“I believe we are poised to accelerate this progress even further over the coming year by remaining fully committed to investing in next generation technology and enhancing a platform proposition that has been designed hand in hand with advisers, for the express benefit of them and their clients."
 
Stuart Geard, chief financial officer, added: “2017 was another extremely positive year for Nucleus with growth across all of our key metrics.

“Our assets under administration grew 22% to £13.6bn and we are delighted to announce a record operating profit in this, our sixth year of continuous growth in profits.”
 
“At the same time, we have continued to invest in the platform, our proposition, our people, our infrastructure and our servicing capabilities all in line with our longer-term strategy of building a scalable, resilient, secure and sustainable business.”
 
“Nucleus continues to be strongly cash generative, with a strong balance sheet which enabled the payment of an inaugural £4.8m dividend in the year.”