The investment firms given 1 and 2 stars for service by advisers

Seven investment companies were given the lowest ratings of one or two-stars for service by advisers this year.

Advisers rated firms on several areas, including fair value under consumer duty, adviser focus and product support.

In the 35th year of the awards, five-star winners were celebrated in a glitzy ceremony at the Natural History Museum in London.

For the second year running, FT Adviser is naming the firms which have been awarded the lowest ratings from advisers.

Aberdeen was given a two-star rating in the investment category, this is down from three-stars in 2022, the last time it featured in the list.

A spokesperson for the company said: “We’ve taken important steps to enhance investor value, including fee reductions, fund closures, and mergers.”

It pointed to its performance which showed more than 70 per cent of its AUM outperformed their benchmarks over one, three and five years.

The spokesperson added: “Whether facing style headwinds or periods of strong outperformance, we continue to evolve our investment processes across asset classes, including equities, through our Process Enhancement Plans (PEP) and CIO-led Team Scans.

“These initiatives focus on investment philosophy, screening, research, and portfolio construction.

“We are continuously enhancing our investment platform by bringing in new talent, refining structures, and introducing tools — such as behavioural analysis in Equities — to improve the outcomes we deliver to clients.”

The remaining six companies given the lowest ratings declined to comment or did not wish to comment on their ratings.

AxaIM was given a one-star rating, down from two-stars in 2021 when it was last rated.

Bailie Gifford has been given a two-star rating in the investments category this year, an improvement on the one-star in 2023 and 2021 (it was not included last year).