Plan-Works

22/01/2026

Is your platform due‑diligence due… but you don’t know where to start?

Stop drowning in data.
Stop comparing platforms blind.
Stop wasting hours piecing together half‑baked research.
It’s time to cut through the noise.

The fastest, clearest and most decisive way to understand the major UK platforms — and choose the right ones with confidence.
You get one independent report that:

Breaks down financial strength
Analyses pricing
Shows wrapper availability
And gives each platform a grading — plus an overall grading

No fluff. No guesswork. Just the insights that matter.

What’s Inside?

🔍 Last year’s platform shake‑ups

Who moved forwards, who fell behind, and what actually changed.

📊 Market share winners & losers

See which platforms are gaining momentum — and which are losing adviser trust.

💷 Profitability & yield on assets

Understand which platforms are financially sound and which may be hiding cracks.

📈 Five‑year financial performance

A proper trend view — not just one‑year snapshots.

🏦 Our Financial Ratings

Independent, transparent, comparable.

💸 Our Pricing Ratings

Simple scores that reveal real value.

📦 Our Wrapper Ratings

Know instantly which platforms support your planning.

🏆 Overall Platform Rating

The quick, confident way to shortlist or justify recommendations.

🔎 Deep‑dives + The Plan Works Take

What we actually think — clearly explained, jargon‑free.

All this for £300

14/02/2025

12/07/2024

🧐 Unveiling our approach: how we conduct whole-of-market research 🧐

Our comprehensive research ensures financial planning firms get the best solutions for their clients. Here's a quick look at our process:

1️⃣ Identifying Providers: We explore various sources and talk to market players to cover all potential providers.
2️⃣ Evaluating Financial Stability: We assess financial health to ensure long-term reliability.
3️⃣ Assessing Service Offerings: We evaluate the quality of services, technology, and customer support.
4️⃣ Ensuring Transparency and Compliance: We prioritise providers who are transparent and compliant with regulations.
5️⃣ Shortlisting the Best: Only the top contenders who meet our standards make the cut.

🔍 Why It Matters: Our research helps you make informed, confident decisions for the recommendations you make to your clients, backed by thorough analysis and market understanding. 📊

👉 Read the full article (link in comments) and let us know what you think

28/06/2024

⚠️Financial Planners⚠️ Our most recent article has been written by our Paraplanner Kimberley who dives into the world of Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs)

Here are two key takeaways:

📣VCTs can be a good fit for high-net-worth clients with a long-term investment horizon and a tolerance for risk. ⌛ These clients can benefit from diversification and the potential for high growth.

📣VCTs are not for everyone. ‍They will very likely not be suitable for clients who are new to investing or risk-averse.

Read the full article on our website (link in comments) to learn more about:
💡 The different types of VCTs
💡How VCTs can be used in financial planning
💡The risks involved in VCT investing

Let us know what you think!

24/06/2024

🚀 Elevate Your Proposition with Expert Due Diligence! 🔍

Seeking a thorough, independent guide to navigate the intricate world of investment platforms for your clients? Your search ends here!

Presenting our Platform Due Diligence report, designed to empower financial planning firms with the insights needed to make confident decisions on the platform used within your client proposition.

For a limited time, grab this invaluable resource at an unbeatable price of £1,000 inc VAT – a remarkable 50% discount! 💷

Why choose our Platform Due Diligence service?

🔎 Comprehensive analysis: Access detailed research and comparisons - saving you valuable time.
📈 Independent evaluations: Benefit from unbiased insights to make informed, tailored decisions for your firm.
💼 Targeted research: Discover the perfect platform to match your clients' specific needs and preferences.
🛡️ Assurance and confidence: Equip yourself with the expertise to navigate the dynamic platform landscape with certainty.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your proposition and deliver exceptional value to your clients.
Interested? Contact us to secure your Platform Due Diligence now and embark on a journey towards greater efficiency for your firm. 🌟

21/06/2024

🎯 Attention Financial Planners! 📊

Ready to level up your game in complex financial planning? Our latest article, "When should an EIS be considered?" dives deep into Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) as we often get involved in researching and writing up recommendations. 💼💡

Here's a sneak peek at what we cover:

🌐Understanding the intricate world of EIS and its role in financial planning

💷💰Unravelling the tax benefits, including Income Tax relief, CGT exemption, and Inheritance Tax relief

🔍Exploring risk factors and identifying suitable clients for EIS recommendations

🌟Navigating the nuances of EIS investment and diversification opportunities

💼🚀With our insights, you'll be equipped to confidently advise clients on EIS, ensuring informed decisions and good client outcomes.

Read the full article (link in comments) and let us know what you think. 📈💡

17/06/2024

To continue our 10 year celebrations 🎉 Nathan will be getting back to the gym for June with 10km of rowing 🌟
We would love you to support Nathan's dedication by donating to Centrepoint, our chosen charity. Your contributions will directly impact the lives of young homeless individuals, providing them with vital support and opportunities for a brighter future.

Click the link in the comments to donate and be a part of this incredible journey. Every donation makes a difference! 💙

14/06/2024

🌟 Mentoring has gained a lot of ackowledgement in recent years as a major contributor to success 🌟 and for those of you who haven't heard - Sian started a mentoring scheme for Paraplanners almost 4 years ago - The Paraplanner Club.

Kimberley has experienced the benefits of mentoring first hand and she's written an article about how important mentoring is. Here are her key learns:

🥇 Purpose Fuels Success: Find your 'why' for motivation.
🥈 Exams Aren't Everything: Understand your goals beyond exams.
🥉 Unique Experiences Matter: Embrace your distinct journey.
🏅 Reflective Practice is Key: Deep thinking enhances decision-making.
🎖️ Feedback Drives Growth: Embrace feedback for improvement.
🏆 Share Your Story: Inspire others by sharing your journey.
🏵️ Stay True to Values: Ethics matter—stick to your principles.
🎗️ Build Your Brand: Network and establish your personal brand.
🏵️‍🌾 Get a Mentor: Seek guidance for transformative growth.

You can find the full article on our blog (link in comments) Let us know what you think in the comments below

🌱💼

11/06/2024

Well done Nathan in completing your most recent 10 Challenges for 10 Years initiative for the month of May! 🙌
Nathan has completed 10 minutes of mindfulness per day for 10 days straight. 🌍💪

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for reducing stress, improving focus, and boosting overall well-being. Huge respect to Nathan for taking this time for himself and prioritising his mental health.❤️

07/06/2024

🌟 Do Paraplanners have enough experience with Financial Plans to really support Financial Planners? 📈

In the ever-evolving landscape of financial planning, Paraplanners play a pivotal role in ensuring clients receive top-notch advice and solutions.

Check out our latest article and here are some key learns:

🔍 Paraplanners now boast certifications and education matching or surpassing Financial Planners.

🔗 They act as sounding boards, meticulously analysing cases to ensure no detail is overlooked, while adhering to compliance standards.

📊 Financial Plans hinge on accurate information; guesswork has no place in crafting a secure financial future.

💡 A disciplined approach to gathering and analysing data ensures high-quality, client-centric Financial Plans.

🤝 Paraplanners possess unique skills that complement Financial Planners, diving deep into technicalities and facilitating clear communication.

🔍 They serve as a second pair of eyes, collaborating to cover all aspects of advice and elevate the quality of service.

Behind every awesome Financial Planner is an equally awesome Paraplanner. 😉 Do Paraplanners have enough experience? Absolutely! Let's continue to enhance collaboration and drive positive change together!

Let us know what you think in the comments below and check out our full article - link in comments.

💼

31/05/2024

🚀 Financial Planners! What assumptions are you using for investment growth? 💼

We know that this is something that we should always be revisiting as assumptions completely shape Financial Plans.

Check out our recent article and these are our key thoughts:

📈 The impact of growth rate assumptions: A small difference in growth rate can lead to significant variations in the long-term outcome of a Financial Plan. For instance, a 2% variance on £100,000 over 30 years could mean a staggering £491,315 difference!

💡 Be cautious with projections: It's crucial to adopt a more conservative stance when projecting asset values into the future. Building a margin of safety into growth assumptions ensures resilience in the face of unforeseen circumstances.

💸 Consider external factors: Charges associated with investing and inflation rates can significantly influence investment growth. Overlooking these factors may lead to overstated returns and unrealistic expectations.

📉 Market events and cycles: Investment returns aren't linear; they fluctuate with market cycles and unforeseen events. Stress testing portfolios against market events is essential for robust financial planning, especially in light of shifting retirement trends.

🔄 Constant review and updates: External factors are beyond our control, but continuous monitoring and adjustments to a Financial Plan are within our grasp. Keeping clients informed and engaged ensures alignment with their goals and expectations.

Check out the full article in the comments below for more insights and tips on making informed investment growth assumptions! 💰📊

24/05/2024

🔒💼 "Safeguarded benefits" in pensions are something we have to get our heads around in financial planning and in our latest article we consider "What are “safeguarded benefits” and who can advise on them?" 📝

In summary -

💰Safeguarded benefits, introduced in the Pension Schemes Act 2015, encompass guaranteed benefits from a pension such as defined benefit pensions, guaranteed annuity rates, and guaranteed minimum pensions.

📈💼Clients with safeguarded benefits over £30,000 must seek financial advice before transferring or cashing in pensions, ensuring informed decisions.

🛡️💡Financial Planner guidance provides a valuable filter, tailored to clients' needs and objectives, to retain or transfer benefits effectively.

📋🔍Advising on safeguarded benefits requires extended FCA permissions, covering pension transfers and opt-outs.

🕵️‍♂️💡Pension Transfer Specialists play a crucial role in advising or verifying transfers, ensuring comprehensive analysis beyond numerical assessments.

💼💡For Defined Benefit pension transfers, 'Appropriate Pension Transfer Analysis' replaces transfer value analysis, offering insights into costs and benefits comparison.

In conclusion, the requirement for financial advice underscores the value of safeguarded benefits, highlighting the depth of analysis necessary for informed decisions. 💡💰

Check the full article out on our blog (link in comments)

We hope you find this useful - let us know your thoughts in the comments below 💬