Embark Group (Embark) today announces it has selected BlackRock as its fund solution provider for its Retirement Pathways proposition.
Embark will launch its Investment Pathway tool later this month, supporting non-advised customers entering drawdown in making a decision on how to use their retirement savings in line with the Investment Pathways choices set out by the FCA. This forms part of Embark’s continued focus on developing leading digital solutions for the investment savings and retirement market.
Embark’s soon-to-be-launched communication strategy and investment proposition is designed to help its non-advised customers achieve positive outcomes in retirement, although it continues to advocate for financial advice as the best route for investors. Embark will be working with BlackRock to offer these clients a series of simple, cost-effective investment options closely aligned with their retirement needs.
The selected BlackRock funds include MyMap 4, the BlackRock Cash Fund and the iShares Over 15 Years Gilts Index Fund. These funds all offer high-quality, but low-cost, simple investment solutions to help meet the complex challenges individuals face as they enter retirement. Each fund has been selected based on its ability to align with the FCA’s four Investment Pathways objectives, as well as offer compelling value for money.
Details of the four funds are below:
| Fund name | Investment Pathway | ||
| Pathway 1: MyMap 4 | I have no plans to touch my money in the next 5 years | ||
| Pathway 2: iShares Over 15 Years Gilts Index Fund | I plan to use my money to set up a guaranteed income (annuity) within the next 5 years | ||
| Pathway 3: MyMap 4 | I plan to start taking my money as a long-term income in the next 5 years | ||
| Pathway 4: BlackRock Cash Fund | I plan to out take all my money within the next 5 years |
Peter Toogood, Chief Investment Officer, Embark Group, said: “We followed a rigorous selection process with a number of highly respected fund managers presenting their Pathways solutions. The key criteria for selecting a partner were value for money and investment expertise in risk-managed solutions. The competition was intense; however, BlackRock was selected given its heritage in managed solutions and excellent value for money.”
Heather Christie, Head of UK Advisory and Platforms at BlackRock said: “We are proud to be working with Embark on their Retirement Pathways proposition. Our collaboration with Embark, the UK’s fastest-growing digital retirement platform, will enable us to reach more people with the tools and strategies they may need to achieve financial wellbeing in retirement.”
Dave Lowe, Head of Propositions and Technical, Embark Group, concluded: “We are very pleased to be working with BlackRock to deliver these investment options for our non-advised clients. Ideally investors would seek financial advice to navigate retirement, but as a technology-led retirement specialist, our solution will provide those without advice with an invaluable tool to support them through this life stage.”
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Editors’ notes
For further information, please contact:
Quintin Keanie
The Agency Partnership (Embark Media Relations)
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07880 602902
About Embark Group
Embark Group is a full-scale UK retirement solutions provider, active in the areas of Investment Platform, SIPP, SSAS, Multi-Asset Funds, Fund Research and Employee Benefits Consulting. The Group trades under the brands Embark, Vested, Rowanmoor and The Adviser Centre. It also operates a wide portfolio of white label services for business such as RBS Coutts, Standard Life, Nutmeg, BestInvest, Charles Stanley, Moneyfarm and Wealthsimple. Businesses within the Embark Group have been established in the market for more than 40 years and have a long history of working closely with intermediary distribution partners and consumers of all levels of affluence.
The Group now has more than £35bn in assets under administration on behalf of c405,000 consumer clients, operating across nine UK locations (London, Bolton, Dundee, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Salisbury and Swindon)
Embark has been recognised as one of the most innovative Wealth Tech companies in 2019 and 2020.
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