Brooks Macdonald MPS – driving operational efficiency and strengthening adviser partnerships

The UK MPS market has been on a strong upward trajectory, evolving from a high-growth niche area into a core component of adviser investment propositions. Brooks Macdonald’s Mark Shields shares industry data showing that discretionary MPS assets grew by 32% in the year to the end of Q3 2025¹ and the compound annual growth rate of platform MPS assets has been 27.4% since 2019, compared with 9.5% for the total UK wealth management market² – highlighting the sector’s resilience and competitive momentum.

The evolvement of MPS into one of the dominant investment vehicles in the adviser distribution channel is evidence that advisers are continuing to shift toward multi-asset investment solutions that offer efficiency, consistency and improved client outcomes.

One of the biggest challenges facing advisers is how to navigate a crowded, cost sensitive market that is coming under increasing regulatory pressure. Consumer Duty has raised expectations for evidencing value and the FCA’s multi-firm review will intensify scrutiny on governance and operational resilience. At the same time, fee compression and platform complexity make it harder to deliver differentiated  propositions without eroding margins.

The operational burden of portfolio management can take time away from the principal focus as a financial adviser – protecting and growing clients’ financial assets in a sustainable, long-term and effective manner. We believe the greatest opportunity lies in driving operational efficiency and strengthening adviser partnerships. Providers that streamline processes can reduce costs and improve accuracy, freeing up resources for client service. Alongside this, advisers are under pressure to demonstrate value and meet compliance obligations. MPS firms that offer clear value narratives, a robust investment approach and consistent outcomes can become indispensable partners, deepening relationships and capturing flows from firms seeking simplicity and support.

Brooks Macdonald’s Central Investment Process (CIP) underpins its solutions, meaning the firm can provide consistent client outcomes regardless of the service option. Asset allocation decisions are set centrally by the Asset Allocation Committee, forming the top‑down view that guides portfolio positioning. Complementing this, the Asset Selection Committee conducts bottom‑up analysis to ensure each holding is fit for purpose. Together, these layers of the CIP create a cohesive, well‑governed process that can deliver rigour and consistency across the full range of services.

The CIP is Brooks Macdonald’s response to the evolving challenges of investment management and not only strengthens the trust between adviser and client but also provides flexibility as clients’ needs evolve. It combines analytical rigour with creative thinking, enabling the delivery of solutions that are as dynamic as the markets we navigate. This is reflected in the selection of diversified, risk-targeted portfolios that make up the Brooks Macdonald MPS offering which provide efficient, scalable solutions.

The MPS range is a tangible expression of the CIP which powers the services and products we provide to our clients by creating a robust framework for our investment professionals to work together, share ideas and challenge each other’s views. Through it we aim to generate the best ideas, deliver strong risk adjusted returns for clients and have a repeatable process with explainable results.  

Whether active or passive, volatility-managed or sustainability-focused, on or off-platform, Brooks Macdonald’s MPS aims to meet your clients’ diverse needs and objectives by targeting outcome-focused investments with options that focus on either growing clients’ capital, providing a sustainable income in real terms, or a mix of these two objectives. Available across multiple platforms, our MPS ensures aims to provide consistent performance and seamless integration with your existing systems.

Risk management is integral at every stage of our CIP. From asset allocation to individual asset selection, risk is identified, assessed and managed. This structured approach inspires trust, allowing advisers to integrate Brooks Macdonald into their clients’ financial plans with confidence that each portfolio has been designed PARTNER INSIGHT with its risk-adjusted return in mind. By accessing the CIP through the MPS range, advisers can streamline operations, reduce administrative burden, and focus on building strong client relationships.

Brooks Macdonald strengthens adviser relationships by delivering a centrally managed, repeatable, and evidence-based investment process that can reduce operational burden and enhances client outcomes. The CIP provides centralised decision-making across funds and services, minimising key-person risk and ensuring consistent outcomes regardless of service level. This disciplined framework supports advisers under increasing regulatory scrutiny by offering clear value, robust governance, transparent risk management and reliable, risk-targeted portfolio management and easing administrative workloads.     

 

The landscape around investment strategies is evolving all the time, with a volatile market backdrop, changing regulatory demands, and longer investment horizons. Clients will also have a range of financial goals, which can evolve and change over time. That’s why working closely with a leading investment manager, and leveraging the expertise of Brooks Macdonald, can help you find the optimal solutions tailored to your clients’ unique needs. By outsourcing portfolio management responsibilities to our experienced MPS Investment team, advisers can free up time to concentrate on what matters most: providing comprehensive financial planning, support, and advice for the best possible outcome for clients.  

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¹ NextWealth: MPS Proposition Comparison Report /December 2025

²Platforum: UK Wealth Management: Platform MPS, July 2025

Important information 

The information in this document does not constitute advice or a recommendation and you should not make any investment decisions on the basis of it. Investors should be aware that the price of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and that neither is guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

About Mark Shields

Mark joined Brooks Macdonald in 2007 and co-manages the Managed Portfolio Service and Multi-Asset Fund range. Prior to joining Brooks Macdonald, Mark worked at Private Equity Intelligence for a year. He has around 18 years’ experience in financial services. Mark is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (Chartered MCSI) and holds the Investment Management Certificate (IMC).