Defaqto, the UK’s leading provider of adviser technology, data and insight, has added STAR transfer membership and accreditation ratings to its platform dataset in Defaqto Engage, giving advisers new visibility of transfer performance.
The enhancement improves due diligence while also encouraging providers to demonstrate their operational standards more transparently.
STAR participation and accreditation status are now shown directly within Engage for all platforms included in Defaqto’s dataset.
To help advisers assess operational performance alongside product features, Defaqto Engage will also surface additional indicators, including:
- Online transfers facilitated
- Online transfers average time
- Digital Letters of Authority (LoA) capability
- Digital LoAs average response times
The transfer information included in these indicators is derived from Defaqto’s own analysis and is not sourced from the STAR initiative.
Together, these indicators provide advisers with a clearer picture of the transfer and re-registration experience – an increasingly important consideration in platform migration decisions, suitability discussions, and operational feasibility.
For advisers, the combination of STAR status and operational indicators strengthens due diligence by providing supporting evidence when shortlisting platforms.
STAR, managed by Criterion and TeX, raises the standard for transfer performance across the financial services industry through independent accreditation for organisations committed to improving customer transfer journeys. It brings together platforms, providers and transfer specialists around industry-approved performance standards for pension, ISAs and investment transfers across electronic and paper-based journeys.
Accreditation is awarded annually (Bronze, Silver, Gold) to member organisations that meet STAR’s transfer standards based on systematic Management Information (MI) submissions. Accreditation awards for 2026 are due to be published later in April.
Andrew Duthie, Insight Manager for Wealth and Protection, Defaqto
“Advisers want confidence that operational delivery will match the client experience they’re promising, particularly when it comes to transfers and re-registrations. By bringing STAR accreditation into Defaqto Engage, alongside practical indicators such as online transfer volumes and average times, we’re making transfer performance easier to evaluate and easier to evidence within due diligence.”
Andrew Marker, Head of Offer Change and Governance, Vanguard, and STAR Chair
“STAR exists to make transfer performance measurable and comparable across both electronic and paper-based journeys, so the industry can focus on what works, what causes friction, and what needs to improve. Making STAR accreditation visible in Defaqto Engage puts that insight where it belongs: in the adviser’s decision-making process. It also creates a clear incentive for platforms and providers to evidence good practice with robust MI and demonstrate a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.”
Defaqto Engage is used by more than 8,600 advisers across over 3,600 UK firms to support research, financial planning and recommendation workflows.
Defaqto’s research and data covers more than 21,000 funds, platforms, DFM, MPS portfolios and financial products, with a consistent and robust methodology created and monitored by experts.