What does the acquisition of Autus Data Services mean for FCA Register data buyers?
What the ISS Market Intelligence–Autus deal means for FCA Register data users, competition, and alternatives
Summary of the deal
The acquisition of Autus Data Services by ISS Market Intelligence was announced last week. Autus, a seven-year-old business, is well-known for its data products built on the FCA Register and Directory data, with clients including Legal & General, Charles Stanley, Aegon, Aviva, and St. James’s Place.
Who is ISS Market Intelligence?
ISS Market Intelligence (ISS MI) is part of ISS STOXX GmbH, a large international group ultimately owned by Deutsche Börse and private equity backers. In the UK, its subsidiary, Institutional Shareholder Services UK Limited, reported turnover of £34.3m for 2023. ISS MI has a track record of acquiring niche data providers, including the Pridham Report (UK fund manager sales data) in February 2024, for £300k.
Why did ISS acquire Autus?
ISS MI plans to integrate Autus’s data and analytics into its MarketPro platform, which combines financial intermediary data, FCA Register records, contact details, LinkedIn profiles, and assets under management. Autus’s latest accounts report three employees, annual turnover of £1.08m (March 2025), and robust profit margins—impressive for a boutique operation. Market speculation suggests the acquisition was primarily for Autus’s customer relationships, industry brand, and recurring revenues, rather than proprietary technology.
What does this mean for Autus customers?
When a large group acquires a niche provider, customers can expect some changes. Integration often brings new product bundles, support contacts, and sometimes adjustments to pricing and contracts. It can also offer access to a wider suite of tools and resources. For now, ISS is likely to maintain business continuity, but as with any acquisition, it is worth keeping an eye on future announcements about data formats, pricing, and service level agreements.
What alternatives exist for FCA Register data?
Following this consolidation, UK compliance consultants, regtechs, and distribution teams still have a choice of providers. In addition to ISS MI/Autus, other platforms continue to serve the market, focusing on accurate regulatory intelligence, flexible search, and event-based alerts.
The FCA Register itself can be used directly to find some information on firms but is not searchable (an issue we have tackled at Hackford—see our article on making the FCA Register searchable). It is also possible to buy the Register Extract Service via the FCA, but the data is provided in multiple files, is unclassified, not enriched, and fairly expensive given its raw format.
Hackford also uses FCA Register data as a foundation for its platform and bespoke data supply options.
Conclusion
The sale of Autus to ISS Market Intelligence underlines the value and strategic relevance of high-quality FCA Register data for financial services firms. With competition reduced, data buyers may see changes in service or pricing, but they also have an opportunity to assess the full range of options and ensure continuity during the transition.
FAQ
What happens to Autus Data Services customers now?
Customers should expect continuity in the near term, but over time there may be changes to service, pricing, or product integration as ISS Market Intelligence brings Autus Data Services into its wider platform.
Are there alternatives to Autus Data Services and ISS Market Intelligence MarketPro for FCA Register data?
Yes—other providers, including Hackford, offer FCA Register data, intermediary data, and compliance intelligence tools for the UK market.
