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Financial planning firms boost technology spending

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KAREN JOY BACUDO

Finance Editor

Financial planning firms are increasing investment in technology, according to new research from Saltus Partnership Programme and L.E.K. Consulting. The study found 42% of firms are using technology investment to manage growth and regulatory demands.

That is up from 35% in the previous survey and reflects a broader shift in how firms allocate resources amid rising compliance pressures and day-to-day operational demands.

The Financial Planning Growth Index is based on a survey of 216 senior figures at financial planning firms of different sizes. Conducted before the recent escalation in geopolitical tensions, it also found broad confidence in business performance, with 74% of respondents saying they were confident about increasing revenues this year.

That confidence appears to be feeding into spending plans. A quarter of firms said improving operational efficiency was among their top three business priorities over the next one to three years, up from 22% in the previous survey, while 8% named digital transformation as a key priority.

The data suggest firms are focusing less on headline technology projects and more on practical changes to systems and workflows. Over the next one to three years, 34% said they planned to upgrade existing systems, while 24% intended to introduce new financial planning tools.

Smaller shares identified more specific areas for investment. Some 8% said they planned to invest in data analytics, and 7% were considering launching their own app or client portal.

The research also pointed to changes in how firms are organising work as they expand. Around 22% said they were spending less time on sector events, while 20% reported increasing their use of paraplanners.

These shifts suggest advisers are trying to devote more time to serving clients and managing business growth, rather than relying on traditional networking. They also show that firms are considering technology investment alongside changes to staffing and operating models, rather than in isolation.

Investment focus

For many firms, the emphasis appears to be on replacing or improving core systems already in place, rather than making large-scale bets on entirely new digital services. Upgrades to existing platforms were the most widely cited area of planned spending, pointing to a market still dealing with legacy processes and fragmented systems.

New planning tools ranked second, indicating that firms are also looking at software that could affect how advisers assess client needs, prepare recommendations and manage ongoing relationships. The lower figures for analytics and client-facing apps suggest that internal processes remain the more immediate concern for most respondents.

The findings come as financial planning firms face pressure to grow revenue while meeting tighter expectations around governance, documentation and oversight. Firms are increasingly presenting technology spending as a way to protect margins while handling those demands.

“Our research uncovers a clear direction of travel when it comes to investment in technology. We have seen first hand how modern technology can enhance the delivery of financial advice, to the benefit of firms and clients alike, and it is encouraging to see that so many firms are not only planning to increase their investment, but also have a clear strategy for doing so. This is testament to the resilience of the sector, which continues to demonstrate its ability to innovate and provide the best possible service to clients,” said Nick Heath, Head of Relationship Management at the Saltus Partnership Programme.

Strategic shift

The pattern of responses indicates that firms are becoming more deliberate about where and why they spend on technology. Instead of viewing digital tools as a separate workstream, many appear to tie investment decisions to profitability, workflow efficiency, and regulatory requirements.

That matters in a market where firms vary widely in size, ownership structure and operational maturity. Larger groups may have more room to fund upgrades or roll out new systems, while smaller firms often need to be selective about where spending will have the quickest operational effect.

“As the speed at which technology is advancing shows no sign of slowing, firms of all sizes cannot afford to be left behind. We are witnessing an important shift, however, where firms are treating investment in technology more strategically. By taking a long-term view, assessing the full suite of options available and setting clear guardrails, firms will be best placed to navigate the transition and unlock tangible value,” Bronswe Cheung, Partner at L.E.K. Consulting, said.



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Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students

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Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.

The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.

To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.

Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.

Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.





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Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years

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The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.

The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.

A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).

“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.


What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?


“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”

The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.

The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.

Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.

An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.


What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?


Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”

It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.

Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”

The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.





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Warning of new rules for Aldi and Lidl after watchdog review

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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.

This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.

Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.

“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.

“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.

“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”

The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.

Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.

However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.

All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.

They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.

With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.

The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.

Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.

The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.

If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.

The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.





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