Over the last twenty years, platforms have become a core part of the adviser tech stack, streamlining administration and helping to cut costs. Although much has changed in that time, and most platforms have moved away from wet signatures and printed applications, many of the underlying online processes continue to mirror the paper form-filling that predated them.
By David Simpson, Head of EMEA, GBST
While in the past, people, both platform staff and advice professionals, have kept things moving through manual workarounds, the sector is now becoming a victim of its own success. Legacy systems and processes are now struggling to cope with the weight of millions of client accounts and billions of pounds in assets. Fragmented operating models, manual interventions and rising costs are now inhibiting the industry’s progress. No one has ever truly taken a step back to reimagine how platforms should work from the ground up.
That’s why the new strategic partnership between GBST and Wipro is so exciting. It represents a complete reset of the platform operating model, bringing together market-leading technology, best-in-class regulated service operations, and a deep understanding of adviser and client needs.
Redefining expectations
This isn’t a traditional platform outsourcing arrangement. It’s a long-term strategic alliance that combines the strengths of two highly complementary organisations. We’re taking the best platform technology in the market and combining it with one of the world’s leading technology and service providers.
GBST brings Composer, our proven wealth management platform, which already supports over 5.5 million client accounts and hundreds of billions of dollars in assets globally. Built on the latest technology and backed by deep industry expertise, we’re trusted by major brands to simplify and automate product administration.
On top of this solid foundation, our partnership with Wipro integrates a suite of wraparound systems and operations into a single, seamless proposition. The technology operating model implemented by both GBST and Wipro is market-leading. Cloud native best of breed surround technology integrated to Composer to provide an omni-channel efficient service model covering the contact centre, CRM, workflow, document management, digital experience, data services, MI, supplemented with intelligent AI agents across service and administration functions. From initial transaction to market execution, the process flows smoothly, delivering true straight-through processing —a promise often made but rarely achieved.
Advisers have long known that their processes are fragmented. Double-keying, incorrect and outdated information, and broken data chains are all too common. What we’ve built is not just one-and-done processing, but real-time access to accurate, up-to-date information across the entire ecosystem. This is a genuine differentiator. It should be simple and standard, but sadly, it hasn’t been done well until now.
At the heart of this transformation is a robust operating infrastructure that reduces errors, speeds up workflows, and enhances service delivery. Ultimately, that’s what advisers and their clients want.
Why Wipro changes the game
-Wipro is widely recognised as a consulting-led and AI-driven technology leader, delivering innovative digital transformation solutions, whilst its FCA-regulated UK subsidiary, Servaada, specialises in transforming customer service operations within financial services, pension, insurance, and other regulated sectors across defined benefit (DB), defined contribution (DC), protection, wealth management services and more. They are actively redefining the platform experience through their deep technology expertise and transformation capabilities.
This transformative partnership integrates Servaada’s scalable service capabilities with our platform to deliver a faster, more seamless, and higher-quality adviser experience -enhancing efficiency, minimising operational risk, and ensuring consistent, transparent customer outcomes.
Wipro’s deep digital expertise and service design capabilities empower us to reimagine adviser journeys – replacing manual tasks with intelligent automation, bringing real-time visibility to previously opaque processes, and shifting from rigid models to agile, innovative solutions that truly elevate the experience.
Improving the platform experience for everyone
Our shared goal is simple: to deliver a better platform experience for advisers and clients, supported by technology and service that removes friction rather than adding it.
Key outcomes include:
- Increased automation and straight-through processing to improve speed and reduce manual errors
- Real-time reporting and visibility, so advisers know exactly where things stand
- Scalable operations that adapt to growth and complexity without compromising service
- End-to-end support for FCA and Consumer Duty compliance, with embedded risk controls and audit readiness.
We’ve invested heavily in modernising the Composer platform, and that investment is paying off, not just in speed and functionality, but in resilience and flexibility. And we’re not stopping there. We’re committed to continuous evolution, not one-off change, to deliver solutions that can scale and adapt for the future.
A new model for UK platforms
The old model, marked by fragmented systems, legacy processes and high costs, is no longer fit for purpose in today’s fast-paced, digital-first world. This partnership offers something fundamentally new: a globally proven platform, an AI-driven service model engineered for efficiency, regulatory compliance, quality, and a commitment to ongoing innovation.
We’re proud to be setting a new standard for the industry.
David Simpson is GBST’s Head of EMEA, managing client activity and driving ongoing regional growth across the group’s retail wealth platforms.
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