Retail Distribution Report

The rise of the self-directed investor is changing the shape of distribution. For many asset managers with retail channels, more than half of all customers will be self-directed, even if today’s £ volumes still come largely from the advised channel. In the era of Consumer Duty, the need to understand these investors is significant. Direct books alone do not paint a representative picture of demographics, user journeys, costs paid, service or other factors.

Who is it for?

This report is essential reading for asset managers, investment trusts, and wider market observers, including consultants and acquisitions, looking to navigate the shifting dynamics of retail distribution.

As self-directed investors play an increasingly dominant role in the market, understanding their behaviours, needs and impact is critical for those shaping and responding to modern distribution strategies.

Key chapters

1. The UK self-directed landscape – data to support understanding of current self-directed landscape, and the scale of growth and change in recent years

2. Platform profiles – Profiles of 9 of the top self-directed platforms in the market, identifying commercial opportunities and understanding how platforms deliver value in unique ways 

3. Fees and charges–Pricing tables for top platforms across a range of investor profiles and scenarios, helping asset managers understand both costs and value delivered to customers of key distributors, so considering value across the entire chain

4. Investor decision making –understanding what information is important to investors when purchasing and reviewing their investments, typical investment buying journeys and points of influence, and how this differs for Funds, Investment Trusts and ETFs

5. Forecast for £AUA and customer growth in the non-advised channel