Platform and SIPP provider A J Bell has launched a new streamlined platform which the firm claims will help financial advisers implement investment advice for clients more quickly and securely.

AJ Bell Touch allows customers to receive, review and approve actions from their advisers.

The company said that features for clients include enacting payments to accounts through open banking integration, viewing portfolios and contacting their adviser through a secure message feature.

Advisers can send recommendations and key documents to clients digitally through the adviser website for approval, with a full digital audit trail of all correspondence and secure messages in one place.

Touch will sit alongside AJ Bell’s existing Investcentre advised platform and Custody Solutions institutional offering.

It has a custody charge of 0.25% on pension assets and 0.20% for ISAs and general investment accounts with no other fees, duties or levies payable.

Mark Rendle, AJ Bell advised platforms product director, said: “With many financial planning uncertainties on the horizon, not least the government’s proposed changes to the way pensions are taxed on death, regulated advice has never been more important.

“According to the FCA, as few as 9% of Brits received regulated financial advice in the past year, with only 17% turning to government-backed guidance services.

“We believe Touch will help to address that advice gap by connecting advisers with those clients who might otherwise find themselves below the average asset value threshold by reducing the administrative burden for both parties and augmenting that trust relationship rather than seeking to replace it.”

AJ Bell increased its platform customer numbers by 9% to 593,000 over the six months to May. Platform Assets Under Administration were up 5% over the period to a record £90.4bn.