The Transact Platform Podcast

In this episode of The Transact Podcast, Russell Watson, Transact’s Head of Trading Operations sits down with Head of Distribution, Stuart Fleat, for a deep dive into one of the most critical — yet often unseen — parts of the platform: the trading function.

Russell shares insights from his 25 years at Transact, explaining how the trading operation has evolved to today’s highly automated, resilient system capable of handling thousands of trades a day.

Together, Russell and Stuart explore:

• the scale and complexity of Transact’s daily trading volumes
• how aggregation helps drive down exchange trading costs for clients
• automation, messaging, and why reliability and resilience matter more than ever
• Transact’s move to two daily dealing points — and how this improves client outcomes
• best execution, market‑maker competition, and what this means for clients and advisers
• how class conversions and access to restricted/institutional share classes improve value.

This episode lifts the lid on how Transact keeps trading fast, accurate and dependable — all to support better outcomes for advisers and their clients.

Subscribe and follow for more great content on the advice and platform market.

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For more information visit our website at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.transact-online.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is provided for advisory professionals only. This podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal, regulatory, tax or any other advice.  All information is based on our understanding and interpretation of applicable law and regulation, which is subject to change. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. The views of third parties are their own.

In this tax year end special, Stuart Fleat, Head of Distribution at Transact, is joined by Natasha Walker, Lead Technical Consultant, to share the key planning opportunities anddeadlines advisers need to be aware of before 5 April – effectively the 2 April as the Easter holidays fall early this year.

Together, they cover:

• ISA, LISA and Junior ISA allowances and flexible ISA rules
• Pension annual allowance, carry forward, Money Purchase Annual Allowance considerations, and the  2027 pension changes
• Inheritance tax gifting allowances, Business Property Relief/Agricultural Property Relief updates, and estate-planning implications
• Dividend tax changes, shrinking CGT allowances, and planning for unwrapped assets
• What’s coming soon from Transact: Flexible Reversionary Trusts, chargeable event calculators, and digital improvements
• Key tax year end dates (more info on which can be found in our tax year end guide)

Packed with practical insights, this episode helps advisers prepare clients effectively for a very busy tax year end.

Please see the below summary information from the episode:

• Act early: last working day is 2 April before Easter; flexible ISA replacements must be done by 5 April.
• ISA allowances: £20,000 ISA, £9,000 JISA, and £4,000 Lifetime ISA (check clients nearing age 40). 
• Transact flexible ISA allows in‑year replacement of withdrawals, including adviser/DFM fees. 
• Pension Annual Allowance: £60,000, with carry forward from 3 years — last chance to use 2022/23 £40k AA.
• Exceeding AA triggers a tax charge; scheme pays can be used to settle the charge from the pension. 
• Member pension contributions can reduce adjusted net income and help restore the personal allowance.
• From April 2027, unused pension funds become part of the estate for IHT — review nominations and planning. 
• CGT allowance is £3,000 — opportunity to rebalance or crystallise gains; tools available on Transact.
• Dividend tax increases in April 2026 (10.75% / 35.75%); consider spousal transfers before ex‑dividend dates. 
• Useful tools: gifting log, flexible ISA allowance report, CGT calculator, and chargeable event calculator (2026). 

Listen now and follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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For more information visit our website at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.transact-online.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is provided for advisory professionals only. This podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal, regulatory, tax or any other advice.  All information is based on our understanding and interpretation of applicable law and regulation, which is subject to change. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. The views of third parties are their own.

Join Transact MPS Manager, Ben Roberts, and BlackRock’s Hugo Thompson, as they explore the increasingly popular world of model portfolio services (MPS). In this episode, we look beyond performance and fees to uncover the deeper factors that determine whether an MPS truly fits a client’s needs.

You’ll learn about:

• Why performance and cost are only the starting point when comparing providers
• The three pillars of MPS assessment: objectives, investment universe, and portfolio management
• The shift toward broader diversification, including alternatives and factor‑based equities
• The importance of dynamic asset allocation in today’s market
• Why clear, simple communication is essential for supporting client understanding

Whether you’re an adviser assessing MPS options or simply curious about multi‑asset investing, this episode offers practical insights designed to help you deliver better outcomes.

Listen now and follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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For more information visit our website at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.transact-online.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is provided for advisory professionals only. This podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal, regulatory, tax or any other advice.  All information is based on our understanding and interpretation of applicable law and regulation, which is subject to change. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. The views of third parties are their own.

In this episode of The Transact Podcast, CEO Tom Dunbar sits down with Ashwin Field, Senior Partner at Sydney‑based NMG Consulting, to explore what UK advisers can learn from Australia’s fast‑evolving financial advice landscape.

Whether you’re interested in market structure, client trends, platform strategy or regulation, this conversation offers a rare cross‑market perspective and insight.

Together they unpack:

• how the Australian advice market has shifted through consolidation, regulation and superannuation reforms  
• the impact of Australia’s Royal Commission - and why its consequences still shape adviser behaviour today
• the rise of independent platforms and the critical role of proprietary technology
• how fees, annual consent rules and shrinking access to advice reshaped client relationships
• what UK advisers and platforms should take away from Australia's successes and mistakes.

Listen now and follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Don’t forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information visit our website at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.transact-online.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For adviser use only.

This podcast is provided for advisory professionals only. This podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal, regulatory, tax or any other advice.  All information is based on our understanding and interpretation of applicable law and regulation, which is subject to change. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. The views of third parties are their own.

In this episode of the Transact Podcast, host Lee Comer is joined by David Styles, Head of System and Service Development, and Stuart Fleet, Head of Distribution, for an exclusive deep dive into Transact’s 2026 development roadmap.

They unpack key developments including:

• Seamless direct debit mandates for investors and advisers
• Faster deposit matching and automated handling of banking limits
• Digitalisation of onshore/offshore bond wrapper opening and trust onboarding
• New bond withdrawal assessment tool
• Our future-fit approach to APIs and integrations

Tune in to learn more.

Listen now and follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Don’t forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information visit our website at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.transact-online.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For adviser use only.

This podcast is provided for advisory professionals only. This podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal, regulatory, tax or any other advice.  All information is based on our understanding and interpretation of applicable law and regulation, which is subject to change. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. The views of third parties are their own.

In this episode of the Transact Platform Podcast, Tom Dunbar sits down with Mark Polson, Founder of The Lang Cat and one of the most respected voices in the UK platform and advice industry.

Together, they unpack the major shifts reshaping the platform landscape — including what really matters when selecting a platform, and why service experience is still the biggest long-term differentiator.

Mark shares deep insights on pricing complexities, cash interest retention, API-driven integrations, and the evolving role of technology in advisers’ ecosystems. They also explore the next big opportunity for advice firms: preparing for intergenerational wealth transfers and a new type of client.

Whether you’re an adviser, paraplanner, ops lead or simply interested in the future of the UK platform market, this insightful conversation is packed with practical perspective and industry expertise.

Listen now and follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Don’t forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information visit our website at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.transact-online.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For adviser use only.

This podcast is provided for advisory professionals only. This podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal, regulatory, tax or any other advice.  All information is based on our understanding and interpretation of applicable law and regulation, which is subject to change. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. The views of third parties are their own.

Join Tom Dunbar, Chief Executive Officer of Transact, and Andrew Cullen-Jones, Chief Development Officer, as they unpack the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the world of financial planning, intergenerational wealth management and advice.

Tom and Andrew have an honest conversation about the highs and lows of 2025, developments for the year ahead and announce Unification Day – a development that will unify Transact’s existing integration capability under a single future-fit API. Plus, they’ll discuss why advice firms should be mindful of platforms retaining cash interest, disclosure and the effective cost to clients.

Expect candid conversations, practical insights, and first‑hand perspectives from inside one of the UK’s leading adviser platforms.

Listen now and follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Don’t forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information visit our website at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.transact-online.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For adviser use only.

This podcast is provided for advisory professionals only. This podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal, regulatory, tax or any other advice.  All information is based on our understanding and interpretation of applicable law and regulation, which is subject to change. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. The views of third parties are their own.

In this episode, Tom Dunbar (CEO of Transact) sits down with Richard Brian, Managing Director of Curo, and Joanna Roddis, Head of Client Success, to explore the evolution of Curo and its new Power Platform proposition. They discuss why Microsoft’s Power Platform is a game-changer for adviser firms, how Curo delivers deep integration with Microsoft 365, and what this means for security, data control, and adviser efficiency.

Plus, hear about the cultural shift at Curo, its commitment to service excellence, and Transact’s vision for creating seamless technology ecosystems for financial advisers.

Listen now and follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Don’t forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information visit our website at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.transact-online.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For adviser use only.

This podcast is provided for advisory professionals only. This podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal, regulatory, tax or any other advice.  All information is based on our understanding and interpretation of applicable law and regulation, which is subject to change. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. The views of third parties are their own.

In this episode of the Transact Podcast, Integrations Manager, Tom Phillips, sits down with Robin Bevan, CEO of Sprint, and Nick Eatock, Co-Founder of Intelliflo, to explore two powerful new apps for financial advisers:

• Transact Income Statement App

• Contributions & Withdrawals Compare App

Discover how these integrations automate manual processes, reduce risk, and improve data accuracy between Transact and Intelliflo systems. Learn why accurate data is critical for reporting, compliance, and even future AI adoption.

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and stay ahead with smarter workflows.

Don’t forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information visit our website at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.transact-online.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For adviser use only.

This podcast is provided for advisory professionals only. This podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal, regulatory, tax or any other advice.  All information is based on our understanding and interpretation of applicable law and regulation, which is subject to change. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. The views of third parties are their own.

Following what has been the most eagerly awaited budget of recent years, join Transact’s Head of Technical Services, Mark Fenlon, and Technical Counsel, Brian Radbone, as they unpack the key announcements from Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget on 26 November. From frozen income tax thresholds, changes to pension salary sacrifice and ISA rules, to new property levies, and changes to dividend taxation, we’ll explore what these measures mean for financial advisers and their clients. Expect clear insights, practical implications, and expert commentary to help you navigate the new tax landscape.

Don’t forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information visit our website at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.transact-online.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠

For adviser use only.

This podcast is provided for advisory professionals only. This podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal, regulatory, tax or any other advice.  All information is based on our understanding and interpretation of applicable law and regulation, which is subject to change. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. The views of third parties are their own.