Quilter hits record inflows as advice-led strategy delivers

Quilter has delivered its strongest half-year for net inflows on record, pushing total assets under management and administration up a quarter to £157.4bn as the wealth manager's advice-centric model continues to attract clients.

Core net inflows surged 32 per cent to £6bn in the first six months of the year, up from £4.5bn in the same period last year, driven by heightened activity across both its affluent and independent adviser channels. Revenue edged up five per cent to £379m, while profit before tax reached £112m. The board lifted the interim dividend to 2.1p per share and completed £68.4m of a £100m share buyback programme.

Channel momentum

The affluent segment, which serves clients through Quilter's own restricted advisers, posted £1.7bn of net inflows, up from £1.3bn a year earlier, with AUMA rising 13 per cent to £121.2bn. The independent adviser channel, where Quilter provides platforms and investment solutions to third-party advisers, saw inflows jump 27 per cent to £3.7bn as the firm gained market share in the retail advice space. The high net worth segment attracted £552m, with asset retention holding steady at 92 per cent.

Our strategy allows us to deliver wealth solutions to UK households at scale or at a bespoke, individual level. In either case these outcomes are built around the personal nature of adviser-client relationships.

Chief executive Steven Levin said the firm's approach works whether serving clients at scale or individually, with both grounded in the adviser relationship.

Technology push and policy watch

Quilter plans to broaden its client offering and lower average costs, betting that investment in technology and AI tools will help reduce the cost of serving clients. The firm is also bracing for the Autumn Budget, warning that speculation around tax changes has unsettled markets in recent years.

Levin called for a stable policy environment to encourage long-term saving, arguing that major changes to savings policy should only come through proper consultation. The message is aimed squarely at the Chancellor as the industry waits to see whether pensions, capital gains or inheritance tax regimes will be overhauled.

Outlook

With the buyback on track and inflows accelerating, Quilter enters the second half with momentum. The key test will be whether the advice-led model can sustain its market-share gains if budget uncertainty dampens investor sentiment, and whether technology spending translates into the margin expansion the board is targeting.