Platform competition hots up
The largest platforms have lost 20% of their market share over the past three years with the top five now accounting for 70% of total platform business, compared to 90% in 2010.
The largest platforms have lost 20% of their market share over the past three years with the top five now accounting for 70% of total platform business, compared to 90% in 2010.
Cofunds' chairman Charlie Eppinger is stepping down from the business as Legal & General's acquisition of the platform completes.
Chris Last is to replace Martin Davis at the helm of Cofunds following the completion of the acquisition of the fund platform by Legal & General.
Stephen Mohan, managing director of operational services at Cofunds, has agreed to join Allfunds Bank in October.
Cofunds has announced plans to offer 3,000 clean fee share classes by July, up from 2,700 now, while Fidelity FundsNetwork's aim by June is only a third of that level at 1,000, Portfolio Adviser can reveal.
GAM’s discretionary fund management (DFM) proposition is now available on Cofunds, offering smaller investors cheaper access to the portfolios via a pooled assets collective structure.
The number of platform providers is expected to shrink by two-thirds once the terms of the FCA's platform paper are revealed at the end of this month or early next.
Legal and General (L&G) has acquired the remaining 75% share of Cofunds in a deal worth £131m.
Global equity income sales overtook those of sterling strategic bonds for the first time ever in February making it the second most popular sector in the month, according to data provided by Cofunds.
The IMA Mixed Investment 20-60% Shares sectors remained popular with investors using Cofunds last month while Jupiter Merlin Income Portfolio held its position at the bestselling product.
A degree of stability returned to fund inflows and outflows in October, according to Cofunds, after four previous months of volatility.
RSM Tenon has appointed Cofunds to do the back-office work for its self serve proposition and to provide platform services to RSM Tenon Wealth Management.