Wrap/platforms

Nucleus has improved its technology in order to provide faster and easier administration, following consultation with users.

Financial planner and asset manager Ashcourt Rowan has announced a pre-tax loss of £2.32m for the year ending 31 March, against £5.75m in the previous year.

Friends Life has introduced fee facilitation options across a number of product ranges ahead of the implementation of new remuneration rules brought about by the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).

A significant proportion of advisers are to adopt a "second platform" strategy following the Financial Services Authority's (FSA's) finalised guidance on independent and restricted advice, according to the Platforum's adviser platform guide.

Sesame Bankhall Group has begun rolling out a new advice platform to its member firms.

Aviva is to roll out a simplified pension proposition on its platform, sitting between its ISA and SIPP models.

RDR

EMERGENCY EXIT

Wrap platform Novia is to double its regional sales force from ten to 20 before the Retail Distribution Review (RDR), beginning with the appointment of Zurich executive Scott Adams as head of the Scotland region.

Guardian Wealth Management has appointed technology provider SEI to run its white-labelled platform and back-office systems.