Privacy Statement – 2026 Platform Horizons Survey

Privacy Statement

The Platforms Association prioritizes the safety, security, and confidentiality of the data collected from its members. Partnering with Alpha Financial Markets Consulting UK Limited (Alpha FMC), it employs a robust methodology and modern infrastructure to ensure that participant information is handled with the utmost care and respect. This privacy statement explains how The Platforms Association & Alpha FMC will collect, use and protect the data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”)
How is data collected?
Data is collected through structured surveys administered using survey tools incorporating security layers. This digital platform allows streamlined survey creation and distribution, replacing traditional methods such as spreadsheets, which could present risks related to data exposure and unorganized storage.

What data is collected?

For the purpose of the 2026 Platform Horizons Report, which will provide insights to member firms participating in this survey, the Platform Association and Alpha FMC aims to collect data including baseline demographic and operational information, insights into technology spending trends within the investment platforms and asset management sectors, and information on change management practices and innovation strategies. Additionally, data regarding operational processes and efficiency, the firm’s organizational structure, and oversight and control functions will be gathered.

Who has access?

Access to the data is limited exclusively to authorized personnel who are involved in running the survey at Alpha FMC and the Platforms Association. This means that only specific individuals designated to handle the survey operations have the permissions necessary to access the data collected.

How is data anonymized and stored?

Data is anonymized during the analysis phase, during which data will be stored and then sourced from a data warehouse via a secure API. The anonymization process involves techniques for data masking. This ensures that individual participants cannot be identified from the data stored in the database and presented in the final analysis. Individual Survey responses will be kept confidential, and results will be reported in aggregated and anonymised way. The data collected will be used only for the purposes specified in this study.

How is data retained?

The Platforms Association, in partnership with Alpha FMC, plans to conduct this survey on an annual basis. To support ongoing analysis of progress and monitor industry changes, anonymized data will be retained for an extended period. Individualized data will be retained only as aggregated statistics, ensuring that individual firm responses are not maintained for longer than necessary.