Investment Platforms & Specialist Providers

Regulatory expertise for investment platforms, fintechs, and specialist financial services providers

We provide specialist investment platform compliance support for platforms, fintechs, and specialist providers serving retail and intermediary markets. With significant client assets under custody and growing regulatory expectations around consumer outcomes, platforms face a demanding compliance environment.

Our consultants understand the operational complexity of platform businesses and help build compliance frameworks that scale with growth.

Sector Overview

Investment platforms sit at the intersection of multiple regulatory regimes. CASS requirements for client assets, Consumer Duty obligations for retail outcomes, and operational resilience expectations for critical infrastructure all demand attention. The FCA treats platforms as systemically important given the assets they custody.

Whether you operate a D2C platform, adviser platform, or specialist custody service, our investment platform compliance expertise helps you meet regulatory expectations while supporting business growth.

Sector-Specific Challenges

Investment platforms we work with commonly face:

  • Meeting CASS requirements for significant client asset holdings
  • Implementing Consumer Duty across the customer journey
  • Building operational resilience for critical business services
  • Managing financial promotions across digital channels
  • Satisfying product governance requirements for platform offerings
  • Supporting technology change within regulatory constraints
  • Preparing for FCA platform supervision and data requests

We help firms tackle these sector challenges proactively, reducing risk and improving operational confidence.

RESOURCES

Recent insights and articles for investment platforms and specialist providers

Understanding FCA and PRA Fee Blocks

Understand Fee Blocks and their role in the FCA and PRA's funding allocation for authorised firms in the UK.

2026 Regulatory Priorities

Stay ahead of 2026 regulatory priorities. Discover practical guidance from Leaman Crellin to manage 2026 compliance challenges for your firm.

ESMA 2026 Work Programme: What Regulated Firms Need to Know

Explore the ESMA 2026 work programme and its "landmark" reforms. Essential insights from Leaman Crellin for your firm's compliance plans.

Top Tips for Strengthening Your Market Abuse Risk Assessment 

Explore top tips for strengthening your market abuse risk assessment and ensure compliance with regulatory expectations.

client categorisation: beware the tick box, follow the facts

client categorisation
Explore how UK COBS rules classify clients, with Retail Clients receiving the highest protection due to limited investment experience.

FCA Intensifies Focus on Transaction Reporting and STORs

FCA ramps up scrutiny on transaction reporting and STORs amid rising market abuse risks, targeting spread betting and CFD sectors.

Ready to Get Started?

Let’s discuss how we can support your business.