The Marlborough Group has launched the Select Platform, described as a ‘next-generation' investment platform for financial advisers and their clients, combining market-leading technology, a highly competitive annual charge of 0.20% and a commitment to exceptional service.
The platform is based on integrating technology from adviser technology company Seccl together with customer relationship management software. Phil Gilder, the platform's managing director, was a member of the team that founded Seccl.
Marlborough Group said that the combination of technologies increases efficiency in the management of client accounts on the platform and provides advisers with benefits such as comprehensive user-friendly reporting on portfolio performance.
The platform has been designed to facilitate integration with advisers' back office systems using application programming interface (API) technology. It is also supported by a service team available by phone, email, live chat or video call. There is also a 24-hour online knowledgebase.
The platform offers Marlborough's managed portfolio solutions (MPS) range, as well as Marlborough's multi-asset funds. In addition, advisers will be able to select other providers' investment solutions, which will be added to the platform.
ISA, Junior ISA and self-invested personal pension (SIPP) wrappers are available, in addition to general investment accounts, and the client-facing portal can display the adviser firm's branding.
Richard Goodall, CEO, 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."
"We're using next-generation platform technology to enable advisers to increase back-office efficiency, saving them time and resources. We've also designed the platform to help reinforce all-important client relationships, by making it significantly easier for advisers to report key portfolio information in clear, informative ways their clients will really value.
"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 said: "Our focus from the outset has been on understanding exactly what advisers need, then specifically designing a platform to provide it. 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.
"All this is backed up by comprehensive support from our highly experienced team, who are committed to delivering first-class service across a range of channels.
"We're also conscious of the cost pressures facing advisers and that Consumer Duty places a significant focus on them achieving value for clients. So, we're offering the Select Platform for a highly competitive fee that represents very attractive value."
On the investment products side, Marlborough Group offers a range of 21 actively managed MPS portfolios offering active, passive or blended options to meet different client preferences. The portfolios charge a 0.25% discretionary management fee.
It also offers four multi-asset funds: Marlborough Conservative, Marlborough Cautious, Marlborough Balanced and Marlborough Global, which are free to select from the best funds globally.
