Alistair Morgan is CEO for the UK at Iress
Iress has been named Best Technology Provider at the Professional Adviser Awards 2026, following three years of marked transformation in which the firm has reshaped its proposition and standing in the UK advice market.
PA Awards judges noted that Iress has "come back into favour and achieved a turnaround", with another praising the team's "tremendous job" in winning advisers over. So what's behind it?
A partner of choice
Once viewed as a challenger, Iress has repositioned itself as a partner of choice for advice firms seeking integrated technology, consistent delivery and dependable support. The shift reflects a broader reset - one that is more aligned, more responsive and more focused on the evolving needs of UK advisers.
At the centre of this progress is Xplan, Iress' advice platform, now used by over 450 UK advice firms.
As the UK's only truly vertically integrated advice platform, Xplan supports the entire client journey, reducing reliance on multiple fragmented systems. This capability has made it the platform of choice for consolidating advice businesses aiming to simplify operations and scale effectively, including five of the top eight UK wealth management firms.
Continuous improvement
Development has accelerated under a UK-focused team, guided by an adviser-led product roadmap designed to reduce complexity, improve efficiency and strengthen compliance.
This commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in a steady stream of enhancements and new features, such as the enhanced fact find and pension switching, helping advisers deliver better outcomes across the advice journey.
Alongside this, Iress has deepened its integration strategy, moving beyond its 170+ standard integrations to more strategic co-designed solutions through its Iress Partnerships Programme, which launched last year. The first partners to join, PlannerPal and MoneyInfo, signal the direction of travel: deeper, more purposeful integrations that extend the platform in ways that directly improve adviser workflows and the client experience.
Service excellence
Continued investment has strengthened Xplan and the service that supports it, ensuring service remains a key differentiator. While parts of the market have leaned heavily into automation, Iress has prioritised a responsive, human-led model, reflected in a 90% client satisfaction score. A focus on delivery and support excellence has seen Iress achieve a client rating of 8.7/10 for implementation.
Expanded user groups, training and feedback sessions have further strengthened engagement, enabling clients to shape the platform while gaining more value from it day-to-day.
"A very different Iress"
Together, these developments point to a business that has reset its direction and delivered against it. As one client noted, "this is a very different Iress" - a sentiment echoed by our judges and reflected in its recognition as the Best Technology Provider.
Iress CEO for the UK Alistair Morgan, added: "I couldn't be prouder of our team and the journey we've been on. This award recognises not just the progress we've made, but the energy, commitment and belief that's gone into transforming our business. To see that effort reflected in both industry recognition and client feedback is especially rewarding."
This article was produced in partnership with Iress
