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Defaqto adds STAR ratings to Engage

Press Release

Defaqto adds STAR transfer accreditation ratings to Engage to support adviser due diligence

15 April 2026

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.

“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 Duthie, Insight Manager for Wealth and Protection, Defaqto

“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.”

Andrew Marker, Head of Offer Change and Governance, Vanguard, and STAR Chair

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.

Notes

Defaqto Contact
For all media enquiries: pressoffice@defaqto.com

STAR Contact
Justine Pattullo | justine@justinepattullo.com | 07765033689

About Defaqto

Defaqto is one of the UK’s most trusted sources of financial product and market intelligence, supporting financial institutions, intermediaries and consumers to make smarter financial decisions.

We maintain the UK’s largest financial product database and use proprietary research methodology to develop independent ratings, reviews, insights and technology.

By bringing together product data, technology and consumer insight we are in a unique position to help everyone make smarter, more informed financial choices now, and in the future. And in doing so we hope to raise industry standards, power consumer choice and help the industry meet evolving customer needs.

About STAR

STAR raises the standard for transfer performance across the financial services industry through independent accreditation for organisations committed to improving customer transfer journeys.

It unites platforms, providers, master trusts, administrators, asset managers, technology suppliers and transfer specialists around industry-approved performance standards for pension, ISAs and investment transfers across electronic and paper-based journeys.

Through regular, consistent data submissions, STAR measures true end-to-end transfer journey times and accredits participating organisations annually at Bronze, Silver or Gold.

STAR’s industry-level insight identifies friction points, strengthens operational governance and drives improvement, helping organisations meet Consumer Duty obligations by evidencing transfer capability and delivering better outcomes for customers.

STAR is managed by Criterion and TeX.

Follow STAR on LinkedIn.

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SERVICING AGREEMENT

1. APPLICANT COVERED BY THIS REGISTRATION.
Please note this registration will not be processed if Step 1 has not been completed.
If your organisation is acting only as an affiliate, you do not need to complete Step 2.
2a. CHOOSE YOUR BRAND
STAR manages the administration of third-party access to the portal, rather than the member firm. This allows for a smoother transition for the member firm and allowing immediate access to the supplier to submit MI on their behalf. STAR will hold an approved list of users per supplier, which will be allocated to your account at the point of registration. This ensures each ‘external’ user has the same access across all their client accounts. Supplier access is restricted and they do not have any ability to see any company information for any client other than what they submit on your behalf. You as the member control access for any other users within your organisation. We will include a more detailed description about the user access on your welcome email and it is clearly defined as part of the User Guide.
STAR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FOR FIRST BRAND
This person will be the main contact for all notices and other formal communications under this agreement and will be responsible for the administration of the members portal access (including without limitation the providing, updating and removing of authorised User access to the portal during the Term).
2b.
STAR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FOR THE SECOND BRAND
This person will be the main contact for all notices and other formal communications under this agreement and will be responsible for the administration of the members portal access (including without limitation the providing, updating and removing of authorised User access to the portal during the Term).
2c.
STAR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FOR THE THIRD BRAND
This person will be the main contact for all notices and other formal communications under this agreement and will be responsible for the administration of the members portal access (including without limitation the providing, updating and removing of authorised User access to the portal during the Term).
2d.
STAR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FOR THE FOURTH BRAND
This person will be the main contact for all notices and other formal communications under this agreement and will be responsible for the administration of the members portal access (including without limitation the providing, updating and removing of authorised User access to the portal during the Term).
3. INVOICE INFORMATION
Invoices are sent by email as standard, if a printed invoice is required please note the address and your requirements in the additional information section.
4. DECLARATION
Before we can process your Brand Registration a STAR Servicing Agreement needs to be signed. Your signatory must be duly authorised for and on behalf of the organisation named in this application.
We only require one signed STAR Servicing Agreement which will cover all brands that you wish to register. Upon completion of this form we will check our records to ensure an agreement hasn't already been signed, if so a new contract will not be sent to your signatory.
STAR will email the servicing contract to the signatory email address (provided below) through our electronic platform Yoti. This declaration must be signed in order for your application to complete, once we receive the signed agreement we will instruct our finance department to issue your invoice.