Investment adviser Vanguard has launched a dedicated team within its UK client group to support Digital and Execution Only (DXO) platforms and providers, reflecting the growing demand for digital investing solutions.
Vanguard’s UK client group, which serves investors across mutual funds, ETFs and model portfolio services, oversees £161 billion in client assets as of February 2025. The formation of the DXO team will complement the existing advisor and wholesale teams, ensuring more tailored support for clients.
Doug Abbott, head of UK Client Group at Vanguard, commented: “In the last five years, customer accounts on online direct-to-consumer platforms have doubled, as a wave of digital providers have made it simpler and easier to invest. These services cater to a wide range of demographics and face challenges often quite distinct from traditional intermediaries. The launch of the DXO team, alongside our advisor and wholesale teams, is intended to reflect the evolution of the market, and ensure we’re aligned with the specific needs of each client segment.”
To lead this segment, Selina Kirby has been appointed head of digital and execution, where she will focus on supporting execution-only platforms, digital banks, and wealth managers. The advisory team, led by Tania Allerton, will continue supporting UK independent financial advisers (IFAs), while the wholesale team, headed by Andrew Surrey, will provide specialist support to clients with complex investment needs.
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Selina Kirby, head of DXO, UK Client Group, Vanguard, commented: “We’re excited to work with likeminded clients to ensure digital and DIY clients are getting the best chance of investment success. That means making sure they have the right insights and the right tools to build low-cost, diversified portfolios, designed to be held for the long-term.”
Tania Allerton, head of Advisory, UK Client Group, Vanguard, added: “Increasingly, IFAs are looking to outsource their investment propositions, both to control costs and focus their time on higher value tasks, such as behavioural coaching and building their businesses. We have steadily been building out our range of multi-asset solutions, including model portfolio services, to cater to this demand.”
Andrew Surrey, head of wholesale, UK Client Group, Vanguard, said: “As well as the growth of equity index allocations, we expect fixed income to play an increasingly prominent role in investors’ portfolios over the next decade. This has been a recurrent theme in conversations with fund selectors and investment committees, in regard to both index and active investment strategies. We will be looking to continue to grow our offer in this asset class.”
