Kate Buckley, CRO, Twenty7tec
The UK mortgage and wealth advisory markets, much like every other industry, is currently subject to consolidation. We see it in the headlines and hear it when we’re at industry events: another tech provider acquired, another platform merged, another “synergy” promised, another parting of the ways. But as the dust settles on these deals, we’re also hearing about a far more significant – and slightly more uncomfortable – conversation that is starting to happen in the offices of advisers across the country.
That conversation is about data custody.
Data is the lifeblood of the advisory business. It guides decisions, shapes solutions and drives revenue. It is built through months and years of dedicated work with clients, guiding and protecting their most valuable assets. It is earned through trust. But much like trust, it is hard to gain- and easy to lose.
Your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform is where your data is put to work for you building client records, guiding business proposals and storing communication threads to name a few. But what if your CRM (and therefore your data) is not completely secure? What if there are third-party interests that could leverage value from it? And how would that impact your business?
Who Really Owns Your Data?
At the recent Empowering Advice Through Technology (EATT) conference in January 2026, we saw a panel of industry experts discussed the ongoing debate amongst adviser firms around their approach to technology – should you choose a “best of breed” or an “all-in-one” approach? They concluded that there is no correct answer – and that technology platforms must align with a business’s specific needs and budget. However, all agreed that ultimately, data ownership remains the most important strategic factor to consider in choosing your technology.
We are inclined to agree here on both points. Data custodianship doesn’t mean you must go “all-in” with a single provider. In fact, for many firms, a multi-partner approach is a strategic advantage. You can achieve absolute data custody while working across different specialised platforms, provided those partners share a common commitment to your data sovereignty.
The key to a multi-vendor strategy is interoperability – the ability for your different systems to “talk” to one another securely and transparently, where:
- Partners are Custodians, not owners: Every provider in your tech stack recognises that the data belongs to you, acting only as a secure guardian for their specific part of the journey.
- Data Flows Freely but Securely: Your client information moves seamlessly between specialised tools (such as a dedicated CRM, an expert sourcing module, and an advanced analytics platform) without you ever losing sight or control of the underlying data layer.
- Aligned Interests: Every partner you choose is neutral, independent, and focused solely on providing the technology you need to succeed, rather than leveraging your data for their own competitive interests.
When it comes to choosing a CRM partner, you need to be 100% sure that the data you input is going to be held securely, and only accessible by you or partners you trust. If any partner within your technology stack is owned or directed by entities that may seek to monetise that data, this could create conflict of interest. It risks blurring the boundary between “partner” and “rival”.
By choosing partners like Twenty7tec, who prioritise open standards and secure integrations, you aren’t just buying a tool; you are building a resilient partnership. You gain the freedom to select the best tools for your business without ever having to compromise on who truly holds the keys to your client database.
When there is potential for your data to be used to benefit the interests of those other than your clients – why leave it up to chance?
The Adviser’s Most Valuable Asset
At the heart of all of this is the fact that as an adviser, your “special sauce” isn’t just your knowledge of the latest rates; it is the deep, trusted relationship you have with your clients. The data you hold – income, spending habits, family details, and future aspirations – is the most precious asset in your business.
To that end, choosing a technology partner involves assessing wider implications for your business. If a provider’s parent company or affiliated firm operates in the same space as you, it naturally raises questions about the long-term privacy of your data. While no one wants to believe their trust could be compromised, the mere possibility that a connected entity could gain insights into your client’s needs – perhaps before you’ve even had the chance to reach out to them – is a risk that many firms may find unnecessary to take when protecting their most valuable relationships.
Stability is the New Innovation
We often talk about “cutting-edge” technology and AI-enabled analytics – and we’re proud to lead the way there with platforms like INSIGHT Pro that offer anonymised mortgage market performance data. But we believe that functionality shouldn’t come at the expense of the core values of security and independence.
In a landscape of shifting ownership, stability is a feature. You need to know that your partner:
- Is financially secure enough to be here for the next decade.
- Is independent enough to put your interests first – always.
- Will keep your data safe for the duration.
The Bottom Line
At Twenty7tec, we believe the adviser must remain at the heart of the mortgage journey. We’ve spent years building a platform designed to empower advisers, not compete with them. As an independently owned business, we are not owned by or obliged to any potential conflicts of interest – meaning your data is owned only by you and stays secure with us.
When you trust a CRM with your data, you aren’t just looking for a slick UI or a fast search. You are looking for a vault. Our ADVICE CRM was built to be exactly that – a secure, independent home for your business. With ADVICE, you gain a single source of truth that automates admin and reduces risk without compromising your data sovereignty.
As the market continues to consolidate, the question of who owns your client data will only become more urgent. Make sure you’re happy with the answer. Your business, and your clients’ trust, depends on it.
