Search for alternative investment opportunities in the UK and you'll find dozens of firms offering access to private equity deals, buy-to-let schemes, private credit funds, renewable energy projects, fine wine, gold, and digital infrastructure. Some are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Many others are unregulated introducers, operating under exemptions in the Financial Promotion Order. Both models exist legitimately, but they carry very different implications for you.
- Regulatory status — FCA-authorised, or an unregulated introducer?
- Sector focus — does it actually match what you're interested in?
- Minimum investment level
- Who pays the introducer — you, or the provider they introduce you to?
- Which investor category you need to self-certify as
Check regulatory status first
An FCA-authorised firm has passed the regulator's checks on its conduct and financial resources, and you can verify its status on the FCA register. An unregulated introducer, by contrast, is not authorised to give financial advice or manage your money; it typically relies on an exemption that allows it to communicate financial promotions to investors who fall into specific categories. Neither route means an opportunity is safe or guaranteed. If you're new to this distinction, our beginner's guide to alternative investments is a useful starting point.
What sectors and asset classes do they actually cover
Not every introducer covers every asset class. Some specialise narrowly in real estate development finance or private credit, others cover a broader spread across private equity, green energy infrastructure, fine art, and gold. It's worth checking whether a provider's stated focus actually matches the sector you're interested in.
Minimum investment levels
Minimums vary widely, from a few thousand pounds for some pooled structures to six-figure sums for direct private equity or property development deals. A provider's minimum threshold is one of the fastest ways to narrow down a shortlist.
Who is actually paying the introducer
A common structure in this market is the introducer model: the firm that introduces you to an investment opportunity is paid a fee by the provider or fund it introduces you to, rather than charging you directly. Firms such as Oakmount & Partners, featured as an introducer on this site, are not themselves FCA-regulated. They operate on a non-advisory, execution-only basis, meaning they connect investors with opportunities rather than assess whether a particular opportunity is suitable for you.
The investor category you'll need to self-certify as
Before most introducers will show you their opportunities, you'll typically need to self-certify into one of a small number of investor categories. Each has specific criteria attached, and self-certifying incorrectly can have real consequences. See What Is a Self-Certified Sophisticated Investor? and What Is a High Net Worth Investor? if you're unsure which applies to you.
How our comparison tool approaches this
Our comparison tool is built around the checks described above, in sequence rather than a raw list of names. You indicate your intended investment level and prior experience, select the sectors you're interested in, then self-certify as one of the recognised investor categories. Only then are you matched with introducers whose focus and minimums fit what you've entered. It's a practical way to filter a crowded market, but it doesn't replace your own research, and it isn't a substitute for regulated financial advice.
Independent due diligence still matters
Whichever introducer you look at, alternative investments remain high-risk and illiquid, and they are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Checking a firm's FCA status on the official register, reading the actual terms of any opportunity, and understanding exactly what you're self-certifying as, are all steps worth taking before you commit any capital.
This article is provided for general information only, does not constitute financial advice, and readers who are unsure whether a particular investment or investor category is right for them should seek independent advice from an FCA-authorised financial adviser.