Stephen Lansdown: FCA platform study 'unnecessary' but real good may come of it

FCA launched Platform Review in July

Stephen Lansdown, co-founder of UK platform giant Hargreaves Lansdown, has said the FCA's Platform Market Study is the result of industry pressure rather than a need for this area to be investigated, but he hopes there will be a positive outcome as the regulator realises the value of these services.

Speaking to Investment Week, the now chairman of Channel Islands investment group Ravenscroft said many people do not understand the platform industry and questioned why the FCA needs to investigate the sector further. The FCA launched its Investment Platforms Market Study in July this year, examining a number of areas of the market. "I don't think [the platform review] is necessary but there is pressure to look at these things," he said. "The worry is that until you have had the review, the people looking at it do not understand the industry anyway and don't know what is deemed to...