AJ Bell has extended its technology partnership with GBST for another decade in a move the two firms say sets out “a clear roadmap for the continued evolution of AJ Bell’s advised and direct to consumer (D2C) platform.”

Under the agreement, GBST’s Composer wealth administration platform will continue to support AJ Bell’s advised and D2C channels.

AJ Bell has seen strong growth in recent years. Last week it revealed the number of advised customers rose 7% year-on-year 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. 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.

GBST’s Composer platform underpins key operational capabilities across AJ Bell’s advised and D2C channels.Michael Summersgill, CEO of AJ Bell, said: “GBST has been a key technology partner for many years, supporting the development of both our advised and D2C propositions. This long-term partnership reflects the strength of our relationship and our confidence in GBST’s ability to help us scale and innovate, enabling our business to continue to grow.”

Rob DeDominicis, CEO of GBST, said: “Investment platforms play a central role in the UK wealth market and the technology that underpins them must adapt as adviser and investor expectations change.

“Our continued investment in the Composer platform, cloud-based delivery, and emerging AI‑enabled capabilities allows firms like AJ Bell to benefit from modern, scalable technology that enables long-term growth, operational resilience, and improved decision-making while maintaining the reliability advisers and investors expect.”

AJ Bell will announce its full interim results for the six months ended 31 March on 31 May.

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 ONS reported today that UK GDP grew by just 0.1% in the October to December quarter, raising fears of a UK recession.

Savers chipped in £4.6bn into cash ISAs in February as deposits with banks and building societies increased by £5.8bn, according to the latest Bank of England money and credit data released today.

AJ Bell Investcentre has launched a new pension commencement lump sum (PCLS) tracker, which it claims will streamline the PCLS process and save time for advisers.

AJ Bell, the platform and SIPP provider, has urged the FCA to think again about proposed changes to pension transfers which would see more ‘friction’ added to non-advised transfers.

AJ Bell Investcentre, AJ Bell’s adviser arm, has streamlined its Bed and ISA process and has axed dealing charges for online transactions.

AJ Bell Investcentre, AJ Bell’s adviser arm, has today launched a discretionary loan trust designed for Financial Planners and advisers supporting clients with inheritance tax (IHT) and estate planning needs.

Cash ISAs had a record year in 2025, with £57bn of money paid into the accounts, according to the latest Bank of England Money and Credit figures.

HMRC has confirmed that the new ISA product being developed with the Government to replace the Lifetime ISA is intended to help first-time buyers only.

A House of Lords committee report has warned that bringing pensions into the scope of inheritance tax (IHT) will cause ‘significant delays and costs’ under the currently proposed rules.

Platform assets under administration at AJ Bell rose 21% (year on year) to £108bn as at 31 December, a rise of 5% over the quarter.

Advised platform customers rose 6% for AJ Bell to 182,000 (2024: 171,000) for the year ended 30 September.

Savers stashed £4.2bn in cash ISAs in October, the largest inflow since the end of the tax year in April, and up from £3.3bn in September.

Rachel Reeves’ second Budget will be published today after some weeks of leaks and u-turns.

The number of client accounts ‘ceased’ by advisers has almost doubled in four years, according to FCA data.

SIPP and SSAS provider InvestAcc Group has completed its acquisition of the AJ Bell Platinum SIPP and SSAS business for £25m.

Investment platform and SIPP provider AJ Bell has reported 6% growth in advised customer numbers (year on year) to 182,000 for the three months ended 30 September.

AJ Bell Investcentre, AJ Bell’s adviser arm, has launched an integration conduit with Financial Planning software provider Dynamic Planner.

A new petition is calling on government to make a public commitment to a Pension Tax Lock, pledging not to alter key pension tax incentives – tax-free cash entitlement and tax relief – for at least this Parliament.