Aviva

Functionality and cost remain the only real drivers behind advisers wanting to switch platforms in an otherwise increasingly ‘sticky' market, a survey has found.

Insurer Aviva has launched a direct to consumer (D2C) platform giving consumers access to a general investment account, and ISA and a self-invested personal pension (SIPP).

A "combination of politics and pensions" contributed to slower sales across platforms in the first three months of the year, with the year-on-year (YOY) asset growth rate also receding, according to research.

Eight product launches, tweaks and updates advisers should know about

Clive Balchin had been with Sesame for 18 years but an ever more stringent approach to compliance pushed him to hand in his notice - just days before the group announced it was shutting its investment network.

Aviva has updated its protection offering, allowing multi-product quotes for the first time, live case tracking and a promise of 10% extra commission for advisers using its 'interactive' underwriting mode.

Countdown to 6 April: The line up in The Great Pension Reforms Race

Aviva has said it expects its acquisition of rival Friends Life to generate extra revenue of £600m over the next two years, including and cost savings for the company of £225m.

The public may view all protection products as "toxic" following the payment protection insurance (PPI) mis-selling scandal, according to the chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Insurance and Financial Services.

Carbon Financial Partners took home the inaugural Adviser Firm of the Year (UK) trophy at the 2015 Professional Adviser Awards, which recognises excellence across adviser firms, providers, platforms and asset managers.