Platformsassociation
Our initiatives

A Platforms Association initiative

PA Dev — platform innovation challenges

PA Dev connects platforms with cutting-edge FinTech, RegTech and WealthTech innovation. PA Dev facilitates proof-of-concept testing, showcases emerging technologies and enables collaborative evaluation of solutions that transform platform operations.

Through structured engagement with technology providers, members can identify and adopt innovations that drive efficiency, create market opportunities and enhance customer outcomes. Each challenge below runs to a published timetable, with applications open to technology providers across the wealth and asset management ecosystem.

Proof-of-concept testing

Structured, time-bound pilots that let members test emerging technology against realistic platform data and operating constraints.

Showcasing emerging technology

Curated showcase sessions where technology providers demonstrate capability directly to platform decision-makers.

Collaborative evaluation

Members assess solutions together, sharing findings so adoption decisions are informed by sector-wide evidence.

Programme timeline

Open and upcoming challenges

Four challenges are currently in the PA Dev programme, spanning platform transfers, consumer outcomes, AI in advice and operational assurance. Review the detail, then apply to take part.

Challenge 01Frictionless Platform Transfers

Open
WealthTech & Operations

How can re-registration and in-specie transfers between platforms complete in days rather than weeks, with full visibility for advisers and clients?

17 September 2026
7 of 15 places filled
Applications close 28 August 2026

Highlights

  • Automate asset and share-class matching across ceding and receiving platforms
  • Cut average transfer times and reduce failed or stalled cases
  • Give advisers and clients real-time transfer status transparency
  • Establish reusable data standards for sector-wide adoption

Challenge 02Consumer Duty Outcomes Monitoring

Open
RegTech & Consumer Outcomes

How can platforms evidence good client outcomes at scale — value assessments, vulnerability signals and outcome reporting across both advised and D2C books?

22 October 2026
4 of 12 places filled
Applications close 2 October 2026

Highlights

  • Automate value-for-money and charge-impact assessments
  • Surface vulnerability and foreseeable harm signals earlier
  • Reduce manual effort in producing board and regulator-ready MI
  • Maintain a transparent, auditable line from raw data to outcome

Challenge 03AI-Assisted Onboarding & Suitability

Coming soon
AI & Adviser Experience

Can AI compress adviser onboarding and suitability work — fact-find capture, risk profiling and report drafting — without compromising explainability or audit?

19 November 2026
0 of 12 places filled
Applications open 21 September 2026

Highlights

  • Reduce onboarding time from hours to minutes per client
  • Improve first-time-right rates on platform applications
  • Keep suitability output explainable and adviser-approved
  • Demonstrate robust controls over model drift and data privacy

Challenge 04Real-Time Reconciliation & Client Money Assurance

Coming soon
Platform Operations & Assurance

How can platforms move from overnight batch reconciliation to continuous assurance over client money and custody positions?

21 January 2027
0 of 10 places filled
Applications open 2 November 2026

Highlights

  • Move from overnight batch to continuous reconciliation
  • Automate exception classification, routing and ageing analysis
  • Reduce cash drag and unallocated balances for clients
  • Strengthen CASS evidence with a continuous audit trail