Novia Global Review by Kevin Crowther

Kevin Crowther

Kevin's Review

Novia Global stands as one of the most respected and cost-effective specialist platforms for British expatriates and internationally mobile investors. This comprehensive Novia Global review examines the platform’s reliability, regulatory standing, product range, fee structure, and suitability for UK expats managing their investments, pensions, and ISAs from overseas.

Launched in October 2015 as the international division of Novia Financial, a well-established UK wealth management platform, Novia Global was built with a clear and specific purpose: to bring the same transparent, low-cost, highly regulated investment solutions enjoyed by UK-based investors to the usually opaque and expensive offshore market. The platform has since established itself as a market-leading option in the international adviser-platform space, recognised consistently as one of the best SIPP providers for expatriates globally.

For personalised advice on whether Novia Global aligns with your investment, pension, and financial planning objectives as a British expatriate or to explore alternatives better suited to your specific circumstances, contact our team. Our independent analysis prioritises your financial success over platform referral commissions.

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Novia Global – Key Features

FCA Regulated — UK’s Highest Standard of Investor Protection: Novia Global Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, ensuring adherence to the UK’s highest standards of client protection, financial management, and regulatory oversight. The UK SIPP falls under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), providing compensation of up to £85,000 in the event of firm failure.
BNY Mellon Custody — Institutional-Grade Asset Protection: Client assets are held in custody with Pershing (Channel Islands) Limited, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon), one of the world’s largest and most respected custodian banks, providing global execution services across the UK, Europe, US, and Asia. Assets are legally segregated from Novia Global’s own balance sheet.
The Specialist Low-Cost Platform for UK Expats: Novia Global offers a uniquely comprehensive suite for British expatriates, a General Investment Account (GIA), Stocks & Shares ISA, and UK SIPP, all accessible through a single FCA-regulated platform, designed specifically for internationally mobile clients.
One of the Most Cost-Effective International SIPPs Available: The SIPP service charge is just £60 per quarter (£240 per annum), with no establishment fee and a £0 exit charge, among the lowest-cost international SIPP structures available to expatriates globally. The platform fee is 0.35% p.a. for amounts under $500,000, capped at £1,500 per year for larger portfolios.
7,000+ Funds and Multi-Currency: Access to over 7,000 funds covering all major asset classes and global markets, with the ability to invest, hold, and report in six currencies, USD, GBP, EUR, CHF, AUD, and HKD, purpose-built for internationally mobile clients.
Backed by Novia Financial — £5 Billion+ AUM: Novia Global is the international arm of Novia Financial, a well-established UK wealth management platform with over £5 billion in assets under management on the UK platform. The group has operated since 2008, bringing substantial institutional depth and platform expertise.
Assets Held in Trust — Independent Trustee Protection: Within the SIPP, pension assets are held in trust by an independent trustee, legally separated from Novia’s corporate assets. This structure provides robust protection for pension assets in all circumstances.
ISA Portability for Returning Expats: The Novia Global Stocks & Shares ISA allows UK expatriates to retain and continue managing their existing ISA investments while living overseas, preserving their tax-efficient UK savings for when they return to the UK.
Flexi-Access Drawdown for Expats: Novia Global’s SIPP supports flexi-access drawdown for non-UK residents, a significant and often overlooked advantage, as many UK pension providers do not offer this flexibility to overseas clients.
Adviser, Private Bank, and Trust Company Access: Novia Global is designed to serve not only individual IFA clients, but also private banks and trust companies, reflecting the institutional quality of the platform infrastructure.

In summary, Novia Global is one of the most cost-effective, transparent, and robustly regulated platform solutions available to British expatriates. Combining FCA regulation, BNY Mellon custody, and a comprehensive suite of GIA, ISA, and SIPP wrappers at genuinely competitive pricing, it is an excellent choice for UK expats seeking to manage their investments and pensions in a single, clean, adviser-led solution.

We will be appointed as the External Asset Manager (EAM) on your Novia Global account, managing your portfolio in line with your pre-agreed mandate, risk profile, and objectives. Key benefits include a single point of accountability for portfolio construction and reporting, full access to Novia Global’s investment universe, and enhanced regulatory oversight including suitability assessments and continuous portfolio monitoring.

Is Novia Global Reliable? Company Background and Regulation

Who is Novia Global?

Novia Global Limited is the international wealth management platform division of Novia Financial plc, a Bath-headquartered UK investment platform provider. Novia Financial has operated since 2008 and manages over £5 billion in assets under management on the UK platform, serving financial advisers, discretionary investment managers, and private banks.

Novia Global was launched in October 2015 to extend these capabilities to internationally based clients and their advisers. The platform serves clients across the UAE, Hong Kong, Europe, and numerous other international markets through a network of International Sales Managers distributed worldwide.

Novia Global Regulation and Financial Strength

Regulatory Oversight:

Novia Global Limited: Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s primary financial regulator
Headquartered in Bath, United Kingdom
Widely distributed in Dubai, Hong Kong, and various EU countries
SIPP regulated under FCA SIPP operator rules

Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS):

The UK SIPP falls under FSCS protection
Compensation of up to £85,000 available in the event of firm failure
Provides the highest level of UK investor protection available

Important Note for International Clients: For clients based outside the UK, most FCA rules, dispute resolution arrangements, and Financial Ombudsman Service rights do not apply to advice received outside the UK. Clients should clearly understand the regulatory protections applicable in their jurisdiction of residence. The platform and its wrappers remain FCA regulated, but the advice layer is governed by the regulations of the relevant offshore jurisdiction.

Custody:

Assets held with Pershing (Channel Islands) Limited, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon)
BNY Mellon is one of the world’s largest custodian banks with global execution capability across the UK, Europe, US, and Asia
Client assets legally segregated from Novia’s corporate assets
Independent trustee structure for SIPP assets

Financial Strength Indicators:

Parent company Novia Financial: £5 billion+ AUM (UK platform)
FCA regulated since platform inception (2008 for UK; 2015 for international)
External auditors, stringent business continuity and disaster recovery policies
In-house cyber security monitoring and management processes
Transparent pricing with clear published fee schedules

Novia Global combines FCA regulation, the gold standard of UK financial services oversight, with BNY Mellon institutional custody and a track record of over a decade in the international market. For British expatriates in particular, this combination represents one of the most credible and secure platform structures available.

Novia Global Platform: Features and Capabilities

Platform Overview

Novia Global is a clean, adviser-led online investment platform providing a unified environment for managing GIA, SIPP, and ISA wrappers with comprehensive portfolio management tools.

Core Platform Features:

Asset Aggregation and Reporting:

Consolidated view across all wrappers within a single login
Clear valuations and charges displayed per product
Reporting aligned with appropriate regulatory structures for each wrapper type

Multi-Currency:

Six available currencies: USD, GBP, EUR, CHF, AUD, HKD
Designed to serve internationally mobile clients with multi-currency needs
Currency denomination managed at account level

Portfolio Management Tools:

Broad suite of tools for investment management, monitoring, and rebalancing
Appropriate for individual IFA firms, private banks, and trust companies
DFM integration and model portfolio capability

Drawdown (SIPP):

Flexi-access drawdown available to non-UK resident expats
Regular automated monthly drawdown payments
Ad hoc withdrawals available
Drawdown charge: £62.50 plus VAT per annum, significantly below the market standard of approximately £150

Online Administration:

Digital platform accessible by both advisers and clients
Regular educational webinars and investment insight sessions for advisers
Dedicated International Sales Managers in key markets

Novia Global Products: What Wrappers Are Available?

Global Investment Account (GIA)

The Novia Global GIA is a flexible general investment account with no contribution limits, clients can make unlimited payments into the account at any time. It provides direct access to Novia Global’s full investment universe and is suitable for lump sum and regular contribution strategies alike.

Key features:

Unlimited contributions
Access to 7,000+ funds
Multi-currency (six currencies)
No lock-in periods or surrender penalties
Transparent, published fee structure
Suitable for individual investors, trustees, and corporate entities
Available to internationally based clients globally

UK SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension)

The Novia Global UK SIPP is one of the most cost-effective international SIPP solutions available to British expatriates. It provides a low-cost, flexible FCA-regulated pension wrapper with a broad range of investment options and full flexi-access drawdown capability for non-UK residents.

Key features:

No establishment fee
Service charge: £60 per quarter (£240 per annum), among the lowest in the international SIPP market
Drawdown charge: £62.50 plus VAT per annum
Exit charge: £0, no cost to transfer or move away at any time
Assets held in trust by an independent trustee, legally segregated from Novia’s assets
Access to 7,000+ funds
Flexi-access drawdown available to expats
Suitable for pension consolidation from multiple UK pension providers

Pension Consolidation: Many UK expatriates hold multiple fragmented pension arrangements from previous UK employment. Novia Global’s SIPP provides an efficient, low-cost vehicle for consolidating these into a single internationally managed account, significantly simplifying administration and reducing total charges compared to maintaining multiple legacy pensions.

Stocks & Shares ISA

The Novia Global Stocks & Shares ISA enables UK expatriates who accumulated ISA benefits while UK-resident to retain and manage those investments while living overseas. The ISA is designed specifically for expats who plan to return to the UK or may potentially do so, preserving their tax-efficient savings structure and enabling ongoing management from abroad.

Key features:

Designed to retain existing ISA investments while overseas
Full investment management capability within the ISA wrapper
Access to Novia Global’s full fund range
Maintains UK tax-efficient status for when the client returns to the UK

Important Note: UK regulations do not permit new contributions to an ISA while the client is non-UK resident. The Novia Global ISA is specifically for retaining and managing existing ISA balances accumulated during UK residency.

Novia Global Fees: Cost Structure

Transparent, Published Fee Schedule

Novia Global operates one of the most transparent and cost-competitive fee structures in the international adviser-platform market.

Platform Fee (GIA and ISA):

0.35% per annum for amounts up to the equivalent of $500,000
Platform fee capped at £1,500 per annum for larger portfolios, providing significant cost certainty for high-value accounts
No establishment fee
No exit charge

SIPP Service Charge:

£60 per quarter (£240 per annum), fixed quarterly fee regardless of portfolio size
No establishment fee
Exit charge: £0

Additional SIPP Charges:

Custodian charge: applies in addition to the service charge
Trading charge: applies per transaction
Drawdown: £62.50 plus VAT per annum (for clients taking income)
Investment manager charges and underlying fund charges apply as agreed

Underlying Fund Charges:

Ongoing charges figure (OCF): varies by fund, typically 0.1% to 1.5% p.a.
Access to 7,000+ funds including institutional share classes where available

Adviser Charges (passed through the platform):

Initial and ongoing adviser charges agreed directly between client and adviser
Passed through the platform in the normal way

Total All-In Cost Illustration (indicative): For a straightforward fund-based SIPP or GIA, total all-in annual costs typically comprise the platform fee (0.35% or £240 SIPP fixed charge), underlying fund OCF, and adviser charges, generally in the range of 1%–2% p.a.

This compares very favourably with offshore insurance bond structures, which often carry materially higher total charges. The SIPP fee cap of £1,500 per annum makes Novia Global particularly competitive for larger pension portfolios.

Novia Global Pros and Cons

Advantages

Regulatory Strength and Asset Protection:

FCA regulated, UK’s highest standard of investor protection
FSCS coverage up to £85,000 for the UK SIPP
BNY Mellon (Pershing) custody, institutional-grade asset segregation
Independent trustee for SIPP assets
External audit and robust business continuity standards

Best-in-Class Cost Structure:

SIPP service charge of £240 p.a. with no establishment or exit fees, among the lowest in the international market
Platform fee of 0.35% p.a., capped at £1,500, highly competitive especially at larger portfolio sizes
Drawdown charge of £62.50 p.a., well below the market average of £150
No lock-in periods or surrender penalties on any wrapper
Transparent, published fee schedule, no hidden charges

Flexi-Access Drawdown for Expats:

One of the few international SIPP providers to offer flexi-access drawdown to non-UK residents
Regular monthly drawdown or ad hoc withdrawal capability
Critical for expats approaching or in retirement who need pension income flexibility

ISA Retention for Returning Expats:

Enables UK expats to retain and manage their ISA investments while overseas
Preserves UK tax-efficient wrapper for future return to the UK
Alongside GIA and SIPP, provides a genuinely comprehensive single-platform solution for UK expats

Institutional Custody:

BNY Mellon is one of the world’s largest custodian banks
Pershing (Channel Islands) provides global execution across multiple asset classes
Assets fully segregated from Novia’s corporate balance sheet

Broad Investment Access:

7,000+ funds from leading global fund managers
Multi-currency across six currencies
DFM and model portfolio capability
Appropriate for advisers, private banks, and trust companies

Disadvantages

Not Suitable for Non-UK Nationals:

Platform and products are specifically designed for British expatriates
ISA and UK SIPP are UK-specific tax vehicles with no relevance to non-UK nationals
Non-UK nationals are better served by Ardan International or similar multi-currency platforms

Adviser-Only Access:

Platform not accessible directly by investors, a regulated financial adviser is always required
Value of the platform depends heavily on the quality of the adviser and investment manager
Clients must have an active adviser relationship to access and use the platform

International Advice Regulatory Caveat:

FCA protections apply to the platform, but not necessarily to the advice received outside the UK
Clients in the UAE, Hong Kong, or other offshore centres receive advice under those local regulatory regimes, not UK FCA rules
This distinction is important and should be clearly understood

Not an Insurance Wrapper:

No inherent tax deferral benefits of a life assurance bond
Clients with specific estate planning, succession, or complex cross-border tax planning needs may require an insurance wrapper alongside or instead
Utmost International or FPI are better suited for those scenarios

Smaller Scale vs Morningstar:

Novia Financial’s £5 billion UK AUM is substantial but smaller than Morningstar’s $294 billion global AUM
Morningstar’s technology infrastructure, cloud upgrade, and AI capabilities represent a more advanced platform proposition
For clients where technology sophistication is a priority, Morningstar may offer an edge

No Direct Equity or ETF Trading:

Investment universe is fund-based, no direct equity trading or ETF access within the standard platform
Active traders or those requiring direct market access should consider Saxo Bank or Interactive Brokers

Novia Global vs Competitors: How Does It Compare?

Novia Global vs Morningstar Wealth Platform:

Novia Global and Morningstar Wealth Platform are the two most direct competitors in the UK expat platform market, both offering FCA-regulated GIA, ISA, and SIPP in a single adviser-managed environment. Morningstar’s platform benefits from greater institutional backing ($294 billion global AUM), more advanced cloud-based technology, AI-driven tools, and the Morningstar brand’s global investment research credibility. Novia Global’s fee cap of £1,500 p.a. on the platform fee makes it potentially more cost-effective for larger portfolios. Both are excellent, a detailed cost and capability comparison with a qualified adviser is recommended to determine which best serves a specific client’s needs.

Novia Global vs Ardan International:

Ardan is the preferred platform for non-UK nationals and internationally mobile investors of all nationalities, offering a true multi-currency open-architecture GIA with 80,000+ instruments and a flat 0.4% p.a. fee. Novia Global is the preferred solution for British expatriates specifically, adding the critical ISA and UK SIPP wrappers alongside the GIA. For UK expats, Novia Global provides a more complete one-stop solution; for non-UK nationals, Ardan is the more appropriate choice.

Novia Global vs Utmost International:

Utmost International is an insurance-based offshore bond provider, structurally different from Novia Global’s direct investment platform. Utmost provides tax-deferred life assurance wrappers for succession and estate planning; Novia Global provides transparent, direct investment accounts with ISA and SIPP wrappers. The two are often used alongside each other within a comprehensive UK expatriate wealth strategy.

Novia Global vs Hansard / FPI / RL360:

These providers offer insurance-based life assurance products with inherent lock-in periods, complex charging structures, and higher total all-in costs. Novia Global’s transparent, no-lock-in, FCA-regulated platform structure is materially more cost-effective for clients who do not require the insurance wrapper benefits that these providers offer.

Who Should Use Novia Global?

Ideal Novia Global Clients

British Expatriates:

The platform’s primary and most compelling use case
UK nationals working and living in the UAE, Hong Kong, Europe, or elsewhere
Those wanting to manage GIA, ISA, and pension in a single portable, FCA-regulated solution
Those with existing UK pensions seeking consolidation into a low-cost, flexible International SIPP

Cost-Conscious UK Expats:

Those prioritising low total costs without sacrificing regulatory quality
Clients who have been advised into higher-cost insurance products and are seeking a more cost-effective alternative
The platform fee cap of £1,500 p.a. makes Novia particularly compelling for larger portfolio holders

Expats Approaching or In Retirement:

Those requiring flexi-access drawdown from their UK pension while overseas
Clients seeking regular monthly income from their SIPP as a non-UK resident
Those wanting clarity on drawdown costs (£62.50 p.a., well below market average)

Expats Planning to Return to the UK:

Those who want to retain UK tax wrappers (ISA, SIPP) in a form that seamlessly transitions back to a UK context
Clients who may periodically return to the UK and want their financial arrangements to follow them

Not Ideal For

Non-UK Nationals:

ISA and SIPP are UK-specific, irrelevant to non-UK nationals
Ardan International is the appropriate alternative

Active Traders:

No direct equity or ETF trading within the standard platform
Saxo Bank or Interactive Brokers better suit direct trading needs

Clients Requiring Insurance Wrapper Benefits:

Succession planning or complex cross-border tax structures require a life assurance wrapper
Utmost International or FPI are more appropriate for those planning scenarios

Self-Directed Investors:

Platform is adviser-only, not accessible without a regulated financial adviser

Novia Global Account Opening Process

How to Open a Novia Global Account

Initial Consultation (via Adviser):

Platform accessible only through a regulated financial adviser
Adviser conducts full suitability assessment and determines appropriate wrapper combination (GIA, SIPP, ISA, or combination)
Investment strategy, fund selection, and DFM mandate agreed

Application Submission:

Application submitted digitally through the Novia Global adviser portal
Straightforward online process

Identity Verification:

Passport or government-issued ID
Proof of address
Tax residency information (TIN, residency certificate)

SIPP Setup (if applicable):

No establishment fee
Trustee documentation completed
HMRC registration for pension transfer-in (where applicable)

Pension Transfers:

Transfer from existing UK pension providers coordinated by the adviser
Timelines vary by transferring provider, typically several weeks to months
No exit charge from Novia Global on future transfers out

Funding:

Bank transfer in any supported currency
Multi-currency funding available
Unlimited contributions to GIA

Account Activation:

GIA and ISA: typically activated within a few business days
SIPP: subject to HMRC and trustee processes

Kevin Crowther’s Professional Assessment

As a UK and US professionally qualified adviser working extensively with British expatriates across the UAE and internationally, I regard Novia Global as one of the strongest, most cost-effective, and most transparently priced platform solutions for British expats. Together with Morningstar Wealth Platform, it sits at the top of the international UK expat platform market.

Final Recommendations

Novia Global Excels For:

British expatriates wanting to manage GIA, ISA, and pension in a single, low-cost, FCA-regulated platform
UK expats with existing UK pension pots seeking consolidation into a cost-effective International SIPP
Those in or approaching drawdown who need flexi-access pension income as a non-UK resident
Cost-conscious clients who want institutional-grade custody and FCA regulation without the high charges of traditional offshore insurance products
Larger portfolio holders who benefit from the £1,500 p.a. platform fee cap

Better Alternatives Exist For:

Non-UK nationals (Ardan International)
Active traders (Saxo Bank, Interactive Brokers)
Clients requiring life assurance wrappers for succession planning (Utmost International, FPI)
Those prioritising the most advanced technology infrastructure (Morningstar Wealth Platform)

Key Considerations: Novia Global’s combination of FCA regulation, BNY Mellon custody, competitive pricing, and comprehensive UK expat wrapper suite makes it an outstanding choice for the right client profile. The SIPP in particular, with no establishment fee, £240 p.a. fixed annual charge, £0 exit fee, and flexi-access drawdown for expats, is consistently rated among the best-value international SIPP solutions available in 2025.

As with all adviser platforms, the investment outcome depends as much on the quality of the adviser and investment management as on the platform itself. Selecting a qualified, experienced investment manager with a clear and transparent mandate is as important as choosing the right platform.

Some Novia Global services may include adviser charges built into the platform structure. If you have been advised to consider Novia Global, reach out to us to ensure you are accessing the platform at the most competitive terms available.

Novia Global Safety: Is Your Money Protected?

Regulatory Protection:

FCA regulated, UK’s primary financial regulator
FSCS coverage up to £85,000 for the UK SIPP
Client assets held with Pershing (Channel Islands) Limited, a BNY Mellon subsidiary
Assets legally segregated from Novia’s corporate balance sheet
Independent trustee for SIPP assets, additional legal protection for pension funds

Operational Security:

External auditors providing independent financial oversight
Stringent business continuity and disaster recovery policies
In-house cyber security monitoring and management processes
Regular operational risk reviews

Financial Stability:

Part of Novia Financial group, £5 billion+ AUM on the UK platform
Established since 2008, over 15 years of continuous operation
International division launched 2015, strong decade-long track record in the expat market
BNY Mellon custody provides institutional-grade asset protection independent of Novia’s own financial position

Novia Global represents one of the most robustly protected platform structures available to international investors, combining FCA regulation, FSCS-backed SIPP protection, and BNY Mellon institutional custody in a single, transparent, low-cost environment.

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