Elevate expands consultancy team and signs strategic deals

Axa Wealth is doubling its number of platform consultants on the back of growing demand for the Elevate platform.

Hot-on-the-heels of the company's restructuring last month, Axa Wealth is hiring 20 platform consultants which will see its team expand from 16 to 36 by mid-April.

"We have seen a tremendous growth in the platform business and therefore need a higher level of support to help advisers embed the platform into their businesses," says Axa Wealth UK Distributors' David Thompson (pictured).

He adds the deal with Sesame Bankhall last year, which saw Elevate power its new wrap Sesame One, has also resulted in increased business levels.

The platform consultants will support the construction of model portfolios on Elevate, provide support around client migration and assist with client administration.

Thompson also reveals Axa Wealth is looking to recruit people into its Professional Edge adviser service and customer service team.

The expansion of the consultancy team follows a restructuring of Axa Wealth last month which resulted in its main distribution business being aligned to the Elevate platform.

The move resulted in Martin Jennings standing down from his role as Elevate managing director.

As part of the restructuring, the company announced all Elevate front and back office activity will be transferred to Basingstoke, enabling a single point of contact for IFAs.

Meanwhile, Axa Wealth has further expanded its Elevate proposition through a series of partnerships with Friends Provident International, Talbot & Muir, Kotak and Plum.

The link-up with Friends Provident means the company's Reserve Advance bond will be available on Elevate, whilst the deal with Talbot & Muir allows IFAs to use Elevate's range of investment options within its SIPP.

Elevate has also added two funds from Indian investment house Kotak Mahindra. The funds, India Growth Fund Class A and India Midcap Fund Class A, brings exposure to a new asset class for UK investors.

Elsewhere, the partnership with back-office software provider Plum enables its base of advisers to obtain bulk valuations and commission data.

"With an eye on market changes, Elevate remains determined to explore ways to maximise the flexible functionality of its offering through a number of strategic partnerships and become a market leading proposition," adds Thompson.