The FCA marks a significant shift for UK buy-side trading desks, reopening the door to funding research through trading commissions after years of separation under MiFID II. With Commission Sharing Agreements once again permitted, Heads of Trading are being pulled back into decisions around research funding, broker engagement, and budget control. This change elevates trading’s role beyond execution, placing greater emphasis on governance, transparency, and commercial oversight. Firms that respond proactively can unlock stronger broker partnerships and better alignment between research spend and investment outcomes, while those that delay risk operational and compliance challenges in a rapidly evolving landscape.

As asset management grows more complex and data-driven, Castine LLC’s next-generation Research Management System (RMS) is redefining how investment teams operate. Enhanced by the 2025 acquisition of ResearchPool, Castine RMS centralizes research, data, and collaboration into a single, intelligent platform. With powerful data integration, flexible workflows, AI-driven insights, and seamless system connectivity, Castine RMS helps firms reduce silos, strengthen compliance, and turn research into measurable results.

Castine announces the completion of its ISO 27001 certification, reinforcing its commitment to best practices in information security and data protection. This internationally recognized standard demonstrates Castine’s robust governance, risk management, and proactive approach to safeguarding client data against evolving cyber-security threats.