# News and Events

## Keep up to date with our latest news and activity

## News

### 08 June 2026

### [Warning: the bridges connecting you to your distribution partners may contain duct tape](/content/insights/news/warning-bridges-connecting-you-your-distribution-partners-may-contain-duct-tape/index.html)

How industry-agreed standards help platforms scale, stand out and thrive in an era of tech debt.

### 27 May 2026

### [Where do we go from here: the protection market's next chapter](/content/insights/news/where-do-we-go-here-protection-markets-next-chapter/index.html)

We brought five protection experts together to discuss the hard questions the protection market needs to answer right now.

### 13 May 2026

### [How Shepherds Friendly put its protection products at the heart of adviser workflows](/content/insights/news/how-shepherds-friendly-put-its-protection-products-heart-adviser-workflows/index.html)

We sat down with Shepherds Friendly to hear how adopting the Quotes Protection Standard transformed their quote journey.

### 04 May 2026

### [The Annuity Application Standard is now available – and we need your input](/content/insights/news/annuity-application-standard-now-available-and-we-need-your-input/index.html)

Cleaner integrations, less friction and a shared foundation for scale – discover the Annuity Application Standard and how you can help refine it for your organisation.

### 01 May 2026

### [PSG Update - April 2026](/content/insights/news/psg-update-april-2026/index.html)

Read our latest Process and Standards Group update.

### 23 April 2026

### [First STAR Gold Awards for Aviva, L&G and Zurich](/content/insights/news/first-star-gold-awards-aviva-lg-and-zurich/index.html)

Aviva, Legal & General and Zurich have achieved their first STAR Gold accreditations, as advisers place increasing importance on proven transfer performance and transparency.

### 20 April 2026

### [Protection: underwriting and innovation – join us on 20 May](/content/insights/news/protection-underwriting-and-innovation-join-us-20-may/index.html)

In their protection review, the FCA found a market working well - but highlighted that the protection gap remains. Join us on 20 May to hear how underwriting is evolving and why the gap is the biggest growth opportunity in protection right now.

### 15 April 2026

### [Defaqto adds STAR ratings to Engage](/content/insights/news/defaqto-adds-star-ratings-engage/index.html)

Defaqto has added STAR transfer accreditation ratings and operational transfer insights to Engage, helping advisers factor transfer performance into platform due diligence.

### 02 April 2026

### [Shape clearer adviser reporting across the industry with our new research group](/content/insights/news/shape-clearer-adviser-reporting-across-industry-our-new-research-group/index.html)

Industry research group formed to explore standardised approach to adviser platform reporting.