New Leaf Distribution
New Leaf Distribution is a privately owned UK FCA-authorised adviser network providing mortgage, protection, and IFA firms with regulatory permissions, paraplanning, and access to approximately 170 lenders, serving roughly 200-250 appointed representative firms across new entrants, mortgage specialists, and transitioning IFAs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersSouthend-on-sea, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What New Leaf Distribution does
New Leaf Distribution Ltd is a privately owned, family-run UK financial adviser network headquartered in Rayleigh, Essex, operating for approximately 25 years under founder and CEO Mark Hobbs, with his son Daniel Hobbs serving as Managing Director. The firm holds FCA authorisation (number 460421) and provides appointed representatives (ARs) and IFA firms with full regulatory permissions across insurance, mortgages, investments, pensions, and specialist lending products including equity release, bridging, commercial, and Sharia-compliant finance. Revenue is generated through a monthly membership subscription covering FCA authorisation, compliance, paraplanning, professional indemnity insurance, and access to the technology stack, supplemented by commission override on adviser-generated transactions across approximately 170 lender and provider relationships.
The underlying technology is an integrated stack of best-in-class third-party systems rather than proprietary infrastructure: 360 Dotnet's 360 Lifecycle for end-to-end practice management (deployed since 2017 under a five-year renewal), 360.net and Twenty7tec for mortgage research, ipipeline, UnderwriteMe, and Solution Builder for protection research, and Intelligent Office and Dynamic Planner for portfolio management. New Leaf's only proprietary digital asset is the New Leaf Hub mobile app (iOS and Android), which delivers training recordings, a support forum, podcasts, and case tracking for the Protection Desk service. A proprietary survey-based lead generation platform is in development. Training and education are central to the offering, delivered through free CeMAP materials, an exclusive Archer Training CeMAP/DipFA bootcamp, the Stepping Stones new-entrant academy, the Blueprint business development course, and the Change Event introduction pathway.
The go-to-market combines sales-led director outreach (Daniel and Mark Hobbs engage prospective members directly, with no BDM layer) with community-led engagement through daily Wake up to Sales meetings, weekly webinars, the New Leaf Podcast on YouTube, and the Change and Blueprint events. The firm targets four primary adviser segments: new entrants to financial services, mortgage-only ARs, experienced advisers transitioning to full IFA status, and established IFA firms requiring whole-of-market permissions. Approximately 200-250 adviser firms are currently on the network, with some firms having remained for up to 20 years, and the company has been profitable every year since inception without external borrowing or institutional investment.
New Leaf Distribution firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- New Leaf Distribution
- Legal name
- New Leaf Distribution Ltd
- Website
- https://newleafdistribution.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- New Leaf Distribution is a privately owned UK FCA-authorised adviser network providing mortgage, protection, and IFA firms with regulatory permissions, paraplanning, and access to approximately 170 lenders, serving roughly 200-250 appointed representative firms across new entrants, mortgage specialists, and transitioning IFAs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
New Leaf Distribution industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Financial Adviser Network Services
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Rollover & Distribution Advisory (IRA/401(k) Rollovers) (FSAEABAG)
Keywords
Where New Leaf Distribution is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Southend-on-sea
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
New Leaf Distribution business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Network Membership Fees: Advisers and IFA firms pay a monthly fee to join the New Leaf network in exchange for FCA authorisation, compliance support, paraplanning services, access to the technology stack, and ongoing training. The model is described as having 'one monthly fee and agreed override', with PII (Professional Indemnity Insurance) and all FCA, FSCS, and FOS fees and levies included as standard.
- Commission from Financial Product Transactions: Advisers operating under New Leaf's network generate commission from mortgage, protection, investment, and pension transactions processed through the network's lender and provider panels. The network likely earns an override on adviser-generated commission. Daily pay runs to advisers are mentioned, suggesting an established commission-processing operation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CeMAP 1, 2 and 3 Full Bootcamp — Online self-paced program covering all three CeMAP modules, over 60 lessons, 2,000+ minutes of audio, eBooks, revision guides, and mock tests with 12 months access. |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DipFA Exam Support Programme — Level 4 financial adviser qualification covering FSRE and Advanced Financial Advice, with exclusive workshops, online tests, coursework guidance, and a 45-minute 1:1 coaching session. |
| Subscription | Monthly | Network Membership — Monthly fee covering FCA authorisation, compliance support, full paraplanning and research, access to the technology stack, PII, FCA/FSCS/FOS fees and levies, and training/CPD. |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
New Leaf Distribution product offering
Product offeringCore offering
New Leaf Distribution operates an FCA-authorised adviser network that grants appointed representatives and IFA firms full permissions across insurance, mortgages, investments, pensions and specialist lending (equity release, commercial, bridging, Sharia-compliant). For a single monthly membership fee, advisers receive FCA authorisation umbrella, compliance and PII cover, dedicated in-house paraplanning, access to a market-leading technology stack (360 Lifecycle, Twenty7tec, ipipeline, UnderwriteMe, Intelligent Office, Dynamic Planner), and whole-of-market access to around 170 lenders. The network is built around a community culture reinforced by free CeMAP training, CeMAP/DipFA bootcamps, the New Leaf Hub app, daily webinars and face-to-face events.
Product overview
New Leaf Distribution operates as an independent financial adviser network offering FCA-authorised permissions across mortgages, protection, investments, and pensions. The core offering includes access to whole-of-market research tools (360.net, Twenty7tec for mortgages; Ipipeline, UnderwriteMe, Solution Builder for protection), practice management via 360 Lifecycle, and comprehensive training pathways (CeMAP, DipFA, Blueprint, Stepping Stones). Members receive paraplanning support, compliance infrastructure, and access to the New Leaf Hub mobile app for ongoing learning and community engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- New Leaf Adviser Network Membership Monthly subscription giving UK mortgage advisers and IFA firms FCA authorisation (number 460421) as appointed representatives, full permissions across insurance, mortgages, investments, pensions and specialist lending, dedicated in-house paraplanning, PII cover, FCA/FSCS/FOS levies, a market-leading technology stack (360 Lifecycle, Twenty7tec, ipipeline, UnderwriteMe, Intelligent Office, Dynamic Planner) and daily commission pay runs.
- New Leaf Protection Desk Service
Quantifiable outcome
- Advisers have grown their earnings fourfold within six years (Craig Jardine testimonial).
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use New Leaf Distribution
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
New Leaf Distribution technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
New Leaf Distribution partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Protection Distributors Group (PDG)coreNew Leaf Distribution joined the Protection Distributors Group (PDG) alongside SPF Private Clients and Mortgageforce. PDG advocates for unrestricted consumer access to financial products and non-loaded premiums. Managing Director Dan Hobbs stated: 'We are proud to be included in the PDG, especially given our culture of independence. Fighting for consumers for unrestricted access to products and non-loaded premiums is vitally important.'
- Quantum MortgagescoreQuantum Mortgages is a specialist buy-to-let lender launching in 2022. New Leaf announced a direct relationship providing its ARs with access to Quantum's entire product range. New Leaf was the first network to obtain terms with Quantum Mortgages. The partnership enhances New Leaf's whole-of-market lender offering, particularly for buy-to-let specialist AR firms.
- 360 Dotnetcore360 Dotnet is a financial technology provider that has worked with New Leaf since 2017, providing its end-to-end practice management system 360 Lifecycle. A five-year contract renewal was agreed in May 2022, with David Smith, Director of Strategic Relationships at 360 Dotnet, describing New Leaf as 'a diamond of the industry, strong, rare, and family-owned'. The system helps drive success and growth across the network and includes integration with system and integration partners.
- Norton Broker ServicescoreNorton Broker Services is a specialist finance broker with nearly 50 years in the industry. The partnership enhances New Leaf's secured loan offering by providing ARs with access to Norton's whole-of-market secured lending panel, including second charges and unsecured products. Chris Nairn, Director of Mortgage Compliance at New Leaf, noted the partnership 'fits into our advice model perfectly'.
- Archer Training LtdmajorArcher Training Ltd is the exclusive training partner for New Leaf's CeMAP and DipFA bootcamp programmes. Paul Archer, with over 40 years of mortgage and financial adviser training experience, leads the programmes. New Leaf members receive exclusive partner discounts on standard prices (£399 for CeMAP, £1,050 for DipFA). Training is online, self-paced, and includes expert-led video, eBooks, mock tests, and 1:1 coaching sessions.
- LIBF (London Institute of Banking & Finance)majorLIBF is the awarding body for CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice). New Leaf is an Accredited Learning Support Provider (LIBF), meaning its CeMAP training is supported and accredited by LIBF as an appropriate additional resource for students undertaking the qualification. LIBF and New Leaf collaborated on explanatory content about how CeMAP is structured, what exams involve, and what passing CeMAP enables.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
New Leaf Distribution competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Openwork Partnership: One of the UK's largest directly authorized adviser networks, providing mortgage, protection, investment, and pension infrastructure to thousands of advisers. Directly comparable to New Leaf as a multi-permission AR network competing for the same adviser recruitment pool.
- Quilter Financial Planning: National UK adviser network within the listed Quilter group, offering mortgage, protection, and full IFA permissions plus paraplanning and compliance. Comparable to New Leaf as a full-permission adviser network targeting both mortgage and IFA advisers.
- SimplyBiz: Large UK adviser support services group providing compliance, paraplanning, and technology to mortgage advisers and IFAs. Directly comparable membership-based proposition competing for the same AR customer segment as New Leaf.
- Sesame Bankhall Group: UK adviser network and mortgage club offering AR status, compliance, and product panel access to mortgage advisers and IFAs. Comparable to New Leaf as a full-service adviser network with similar permission breadth and lender panel economics.
- Lighthouse Group: UK listed adviser network providing wrap platform, mortgage, protection, and IFA infrastructure. Comparable to New Leaf as a multi-permission AR network, with a more tech-platform-led proposition.
- Intrinsic Financial Services: UK adviser network owned by Quilter, providing mortgage, protection, and full IFA permissions to advisers across the country. Directly comparable to New Leaf as a full-permission AR network competing for the same adviser base.
- Mortgageforce: UK mortgage and protection network/clubs offering advisers direct lender access and compliance support. Direct peer on the mortgage side and a listed partner via the Protection Distributors Group alongside New Leaf.
- PMS Mortgage Club: UK mortgage club providing advisers with lender panel access, procuration fees, and support services. Comparable to New Leaf's mortgage-distribution infrastructure and a recognized industry award counterparty to New Leaf.
- Tenet Group: UK adviser support services group offering compliance, paraplanning, and product panel access to mortgage advisers and IFAs. Directly comparable to New Leaf as a multi-permission AR network serving the same adviser segments.
Broad incumbents
- St. James's Place: Large UK wealth manager with a national Partnership of advisers providing restricted/whole-of-market investment, pension, and protection advice. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering adviser infrastructure at much greater scale than New Leaf.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
New Leaf Distribution social profiles
Digital presenceNew Leaf Distribution compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
New Leaf Distribution financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
New Leaf Distribution leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
New Leaf Distribution funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
New Leaf Distribution M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about New Leaf Distribution
What does New Leaf Distribution do?
New Leaf Distribution operates an FCA-authorised adviser network that grants appointed representatives and IFA firms full permissions across insurance, mortgages, investments, pensions and specialist lending (equity release, commercial, bridging, Sharia-compliant). For a single monthly membership fee, advisers receive FCA authorisation umbrella, compliance and PII cover, dedicated in-house paraplanning, access to a market-leading technology stack (360 Lifecycle, Twenty7tec, ipipeline, UnderwriteMe, Intelligent Office, Dynamic Planner), and whole-of-market access to around 170 lenders. The network is built around a community culture reinforced by free CeMAP training, CeMAP/DipFA bootcamps, the New Leaf Hub app, daily webinars and face-to-face events.
Is New Leaf Distribution a public or private company?
New Leaf Distribution is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was New Leaf Distribution founded?
New Leaf Distribution was founded in 2000. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is New Leaf Distribution based?
New Leaf Distribution is headquartered in Southend-on-sea, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does New Leaf Distribution make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Network Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are commission from Financial Product Transactions.
Who are New Leaf Distribution's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Openwork Partnership, Quilter Financial Planning, SimplyBiz, Sesame Bankhall Group, Lighthouse Group, Intrinsic Financial Services, Mortgageforce, PMS Mortgage Club and Tenet Group. St. James's Place is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does New Leaf Distribution have an API?
No public API is recorded for New Leaf Distribution.
What industry is New Leaf Distribution in?
New Leaf Distribution's product category is Financial Adviser Network Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEABAG, Rollover & Distribution Advisory (IRA/401(k) Rollovers). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 8600.