Defaqto

Defaqto is an independent financial information business, focused on helping financial institutions and consumers make better informed decisions. From its financial product and fund database, Defaqto produces a range of services including: ratings, software, data services, publications and events.[1][2]

Defaqto Group Limited
TypePrivate
IndustryFinancial Services
PredecessorIndependent Research Group
FoundedHigh Wycombe (1994 (1994))
FounderAlastair Whitehead
HeadquartersHaddenham, Buckinghamshire,
United Kingdom
Key people
Products
  • Defaqto Ratings
  • Defaqto Matrix
  • Defaqto Engage
Services
Websitedefaqto.com

Ratings

Defaqto produce a range of independent ratings to help consumers understand how financial products fit into the market place.

The ratings are created as expert reviews of financial products (such as Michelin reviews) as opposed to consumer reviews (such as TripAdvisor).

Star Ratings

Ratings are based on the quality and comprehensiveness of the features and benefits it offers. Defaqto rate individual propositions, not the provider of the product, across more than 60 categories – including banking, general insurance, life and protection, and pensions and investments.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

Star Ratings give a product or proposition a rating of 1 to 5, depending on the quality and comprehensiveness of the features it offers. A 4 or 5 Star Rating indicates that a product or proposition represents one of the best quality offerings in the market.[10] The ratings focus on the quality of the product as opposed to its price or the service that you may receive from contact with the provider.[11]

Diamond Ratings

Ratings help identify where funds and fund families sit in the market, Defaqto Diamond Ratings provide an independent rating based on fund performance, plus various risk attributes where applicable, and a range of other key fund attributes – including cost, scale, access and manager longevity.[12]

Operations

Defaqto is based in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire.

History

Defaqto was founded as the Independent Research Group by Alastair Whitehead in 1994,[13] initially focusing on life pensions products.

The business was acquired by Find Portal in 2006 in order to grow the presence in the consumer space.[14][15]

The management of Defaqto completed a management buy-out supported by Synova Capital in March 2015 for £24m.[16][17][18]

SimplyBiz Group plc acquired the entire share capital of Defaqto's holding company, Regulus Topco in March 2019 for £74m.[19][20] The company and management continue to operate independently post acquisition.[21]

References
  1. "Synova backs highly rated Defaqto | Synova Capital". synova-capital.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  2. "Who are Defaqto? - Aviva". www.aviva.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  3. "Ratings | Solutions | Defaqto". defaqto.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  4. "Defaqto Ratings at Gocompare.com". www.gocompare.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  5. "What does a Defaqto 5 Star Rating mean for me?". ASDA Money. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  6. "Who are Defaqto? - Aviva". www.aviva.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  7. "Defaqto Star Ratings | AA". www.theaa.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  8. "Defaqto 5 star awards | LV= Liverpool Victoria". www.lv.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  9. "Allianz car insurance is 5 star Defaqto rated". allianz.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  10. "Take a look behind the five star curtain". The Source. 2015-06-15. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  11. "Ford Insure 5 Star Rated Insurance". www.ford-insure.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  12. "Ratings | Solutions | Defaqto". defaqto.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  13. "Adviser Profile: Alastair Whitehead of Ergowealth". Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  14. "Find Portal incorporates Defaqto after merger". Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  15. "UK - Electra Quoted Management helps fund Find Portal's acquisition of Defaqto". Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  16. "Infrastructure investment manager | Private Equity | Solar asset management". www.foresightgroup.eu. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  17. "Synova backs highly rated Defaqto | Synova Capital". synova-capital.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  18. "Foresight 4 VCT PLC : Trading Statement - Sale of Defaqto Group Limited - London Stock Exchange". www.londonstockexchange.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  19. "SimplyBiz acquires Defaqto for £74m". investmentweek.co.uk. 2019-03-20. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  20. "SimplyBiz buys Defaqto for £74m".
  21. Cash, Justin (2019-03-20). "SimplyBiz acquires Defaqto". Money Marketing. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
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