Specialist Research, Portfolio Support & Independent Consultancy

As more financial advisers prioritise financial planning over investment management, many still want a bespoke, evidence-based investment approach, without building and maintaining portfolios entirely in-house.

That’s where investment outsourcing comes in.

The challenge, of course, is finding the right non-product, independent partners who can support your Centralised Investment Proposition (CIP), enhance governance, and strengthen your investment process.

Below is a list of respected UK investment outsourcing and research partners who specialise in supporting advisory firms.

Leading Investment Outsourcing & Research Partners (UK)

QuantQual Ltd

Independent investment-research and consultancy for IFAs, offering fund ratings, model portfolios, CIP/CRP development, portfolio oversight and due-diligence tailored to UK financial planning firms.

Albion Strategic Consulting

Evidence-based investment consultancy helping adviser firms design and maintain bespoke in-house investment propositions, including governance frameworks, documentation and ongoing education.

Rayner Spencer Mills Research (RSMR)

Long-established fund-research and ratings house providing fund ratings, an MPS range, and advisory support to help firms deliver informed and consistent investment decisions.

Scopic Research

Multi-asset research specialist focusing on qualitative analysis, portfolio-journey mapping and consultancy for intermediaries, advisers and asset managers.

Fairview Investing

Led by Ben Yearsley and Gavin Haynes, offering independent investment expertise to help advisers create robust, auditable investment propositions—typically through a transparent flat-fee structure.

**Titan Square Mile

(Square Mile Investment Consulting & Research)**
Independent qualitative fund-research and consulting provider offering fund ratings, responsible-investment frameworks, dashboards and adviser-facing insights.

Elston Consulting

Investment-solutions and research firm supporting advisers with portfolio design, analytics, CIRP/CIP support, investment committee input and regulatory-aligned proposition development.

Parafinity

Consultancy focused on Centralised Investment and Retirement Proposition (CIP/CRP) development, provider assessment, and ongoing governance support for advice firms.

Research Tools to Support Your Due Diligence

Alongside external consultancy, many advisory firms use professional research tools such as:

  • FE Analytics

  • Morningstar® Advisor Workstation℠

  • BlackRock Aladdin

  • Mabel Insights 

These systems help advisers carry out fund research, risk profiling, asset-allocation analysis, stress-testing and regulatory reporting. There are charges for using FE Analytics and Morningstar Advisor Workstation. Currently BlackRock Aladdin and Mabel Insights are free. 

Important Note

This list is not a recommendation. Each firm has its own strengths and limitations.
In many cases, these partners support the investment architecture of your proposition, but may not address the foundational Centralised Retirement Proposition (CRP) requirements.

CRP is distinct from CIP—and more complex—requiring support around cashflow planning, sequencing risk, withdrawal strategies, sustainability of income, Consumer Duty alignment, and ongoing governance.

You may need dedicated CRP expertise in addition to investment research partners.