The LSE Directory / Retail brokers
AJ Bell is a UK-listed investment platform and stockbroker headquartered in Salford, Greater Manchester, giving retail and advised investors access to share dealing, funds, exchange-traded funds, investment trusts, bonds and gilts. Its core account types are the Stocks and Shares ISA, Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), Lifetime ISA, Junior ISA, Junior SIPP, a Ready-Made Pension and a general Dealing Account, alongside a cash savings hub; customers can deal in shares across international markets and start regular investing from £25 a month. The company runs two main business lines: a direct-to-consumer platform for self-directed investors under the AJ Bell brand, and an advised and institutional business, AJ Bell Investcentre, used by financial advisers to manage client portfolios, plus a white-label SIPP product, AJ Bell Platinum, and an in-house broking arm, AJ Bell Securities. It also operates an investment management arm offering its own fund range and model portfolios, positioning it as a low-cost, vertically integrated alternative to platforms that outsource fund management or advice to third parties. AJ Bell was founded in 1995 in Manchester by Andy Bell and Nicholas Littlefair. The company listed on the London Stock Exchange in December 2018 under the ticker AJB and is a constituent of the FTSE 250. Andy Bell stepped down as chief executive on 1 October 2022 after 27 years in the role, moving to a non-executive deputy chair position; Michael Summersgill, previously the company's finance director and deputy CEO, succeeded him. AJ Bell is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. For the financial year ended 30 September 2025 it reported total assets under administration of £108.2 billion (platform AUA of £103.3 billion), 657,000 retail customers, revenue of £317.8 million and profit before tax of £137.8 million. In the six months to 31 March 2026, AJ Bell reported platform assets under administration up 5% to £108.7 billion on record net inflows of £4.2 billion, with its customer base growing by a record 79,000 in the half to 723,000 and revenue up 19% to £183 million; the separate investment management arm's assets under management rose to almost £9.8 billion over the same period. The company has been recognised as a Which? Recommended Provider every year since 2019.
