Benchmark has been named Best Advice Network at the Professional Adviser Awards 2026, with its focus on innovation, quality and collaboration propelling it ahead of the competition.
PA Awards judges said they were impressed by Benchmark's comprehensive submission, which one judge said showcased an "innovative network with strong technological infrastructure, regulatory excellence, and deep commitment to adviser development".
The network demonstrated that it understood and had sought to tackle "real adviser challenges", another judge said.
Benchmark spoke to Professional Adviser to share how it has continued to improve for its advisers and why quality is "the golden thread".
How have you innovated in the past year?
Our focus on innovation has been about removing friction from the advice process, not introducing complexity. Over the past year, we've continued to invest significantly in a fully integrated digital ecosystem that supports advisers from initial onboarding through to ongoing reviews.
A major area of progress has been AI. While AI meeting summaries are becoming commonplace, we've launched the first phase of an AI native advice workflow, embedded directly within our proprietary platform. It transforms adviser–client conversations into structured notes using our in house financial planning knowledge framework. The output is compliance reviewed, tested on real adviser transcripts, and remains firmly adviser controlled. Nothing reaches the client or the system of record without human sign off.
This is the first step in a longer roadmap, with each phase building on the last and shaped closely by adviser feedback. For us, this isn't about bolting on AI tools; it's about re engineering the advice workflow to be AI native.
Taken together, our innovations are expected to save advisers around 6.5 hours per client per year, freeing up time to focus on planning and client relationships.
What support and initiatives set your network apart?
Quality is the golden thread running through everything we do. Over a third of our 400-plus advisers hold Chartered status, and we're highly selective about who joins our network, we typically accept around one in three applicants. That allows us to maintain consistently high standards and a strong compliance culture.
Our "business-in-a-box" proposition is a key differentiator and has supported significant numbers of "breakaway" advisers to set up their own firms. They get end-to-end support: compliance oversight, proprietary technology, practice management, financing options, paraplanning partnerships, marketing resources and access to an award-winning platform and investment solutions, all without compromising adviser autonomy.
Our solutions are also built by advisers, for advisers. Our in-house Chartered planning firm and Advisory Board ensure our development and proposition roadmap is driven by real-world challenges. Combined with our Academy and wider Learning & Development Hub, we support firms not just to be compliant, but to be confident, professional and client focused.
How do you help advisers with succession planning?
Succession is a core part of adviser lifecycle support for us, not an afterthought. We've helped more than 60 firms achieve their succession goals through a range of options, from internal successions and acquisitions within our networks to flexible routes such as Employee Ownership Trusts.
Our size and collaborative culture make a real difference. Advisers have opportunities to buy and sell client banks within the network, access practice financing, or plan a phased exit that protects client outcomes and firm value. The emphasis is always on continuity, for clients, staff and the adviser themselves.
How will you look to build on your success?
Our growth has always been deliberate. We'll continue to prioritise quality over scale, while investing further in technology, particularly responsibly deployed AI that enhances productivity without eroding governance.
We'll also continue to invest in the next generation through our Academy, refine our adviser lifecycle support, and evolve our proposition in line with regulatory expectations and adviser needs. Ultimately, our ambition is simple: to keep raising the bar for financial advice in the UK, and to empower advisers to build strong, sustainable businesses that deliver exceptional client outcomes.
This article was produced in partnership with Benchmark
