The number of advised customers rose 7% year-on-year for platform AJ Bell to 189,000 in the first quarter of the year.
The quarter saw a record growth in customer numbers, increasing by 50,000 in the quarter across both b2c and consumer to close at 723,000. This represents a rise of 22% in the last year.
Total d2c customers rose 28% year-on-year to 534,000.
Assets under administration also rose 1% over the quarter, and 20% year-on-year, to £108.7bn as at 31 March. AJ Bell noted that market movements reduced asset growth by 2% during the quarter, reflecting ongoing market volatility.
Both gross and net inflows onto the platform also hit records during the quarter. Gross inflows in the quarter of £5.6bn rose 40% year-on-year (Q1 2025: £4bn). Net inflows rose 42% year-on-year to £2.7bn (Q1 2025: £1.9bn).
Michael Summersgill, CEO at AJ Bell, said both the adviser and d2c platforms had strong quarters.
He said: “Our advised platform delivered record‑equalling gross inflows, with strong growth partially offset by anticipated outflows associated with ongoing adviser consolidation.”
He added that he expects the platform to continue to grow strongly this year.
The platform provider’s investments business saw slightly more muted growth with assets under management increasing by 3% in the quarter to £9.8bn. Net inflows fell slightly to £0.3bn (Q1 2025: £0.4bn.
AJ Bell expects to announce its full interim results for the six months ended 31 March on 31 May.