Lonsec launches governance offer amid product failures

Mike Taylor

Managing Editor and Publisher

5 June 2026

In what appears to be a case of “out of misfortune comes opportunity”, research and ratings house, Lonsec, has launched a new Governance Solution to help clients avoid the mis-steps which led to exposures to Shield and First Guardian.

Lonsec announced the launch of Lonsec Investment Governance Solutions which it is marketing as a capability designed to help compliance and governance teams, research functions and investment teams respond earlier to emerging risks and maintain clear, defensible audit trails.

The capability has been embedded within Lonsec’s iRate product with the company saying it brings together key governance indicators including ratings changes, performance and fee monitoring, and other material signals into customisable dashboards and reports.

It says the solution is suited to organisations that need to demonstrate consistent, evidence-based oversight of their approved product list or investment menu, such as financial advice licensees, platforms, trustees, investment committtees and governance teams.

Commenting on the capability, Lonsec chief executive, Lorraine Robinson said that, across advice licensees, platforms and trustees, expectations around governance have never been higher.

“Advisers and clients want to know that investment options are being monitored consistently, and decisions are made with care and accountability. The Lonsec Investment Governance Solution provides the framework and transparency that supports better decision making and greater confidence at every level,” she said.

Lonsec head of sales, Anna Schofield said that with recent high-profile failings in the industry, the focus on investment governance had intensified.

“By embedding governance signals directly within iRate, the Lonsec Investment Governance Solution gives investment teams and advisers greater clarity and confidence in decision making, with a clear and defensible record of how and why decisions were made. Our solution delivers real peace of mind, not just for investment committees, but for advisers and their clients.”