Sharp rise in demand for employee benefits solutions – wealth experts

A wealth management and employee benefits company has reported a sharp rise in demand for its employee benefits technology solutions.

Mattioli Woods, a national firm with offices in Oldbury, said client adoption has increased by more than 350 per cent since 2023.

By the end of 2025, the number of clients implementing the firm’s technology solutions had more than tripled, reflecting a step change in employer appetite for digital, flexible and personalised benefits platforms.

The pipeline of clients and prospects engaging with Mattioli Woods in this area has reached its highest level on record, representing a 400 per cent increase on 2023.

To meet accelerating demand, the firm has expanded both its technology consulting and delivery teams, with further recruitment planned throughout 2026 as it continues to invest in this high-growth area.

The rapid uptake is driven by four main factors: advances in sophisticated and affordable platforms, intense competition for talent requiring compelling benefits, the challenges of engaging hybrid workforces, and preparation for the payrolling of benefits from April 2027.

Central to this growth is MyWay, Mattioli Woods’ market-leading employee benefits platform, which allows employers to deliver flexible, personalised benefits through a single, intuitive digital portal. Employees can manage and tailor benefits to their needs, improving engagement and visibility.

Evolving workforce expectations are driving greater investment in workplace technology.

Data from Carers UK shows that nearly three million UK employees now balance paid work with caring responsibilities, increasing demand for flexibility at work.

One clear response is the growth of benefits that give employees more control over their time, such as tradeable annual leave, now offered by 69 per cent of employers (up from 65 per cent), according to the latest Alan Jones survey.

At the same time, organisations are expanding benefits linked to sustainability and financial wellbeing.

Cycle to Work schemes are now offered by 80 per cent of employers (up from 75 per cent), Give As You Earn schemes by 41 per cent (up from 35 per cent), and salary sacrifice car schemes by 36 per cent (up from 31 per cent).

Health and wellbeing support is also becoming more widespread, with more organisations providing medical screening (39 per cent, up from 36 per cent) and gym memberships (52 per cent, up from 48 per cent).

Sean McSweeney, Employee Benefits Team Director at Mattioli Woods, said: “We are seeing a fundamental shift in how employers view benefits technology. It’s no longer a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a strategic tool for talent attraction, retention and compliance.

“The scale of growth since 2023 demonstrates that employers recognise the value of investing in modern, integrated platforms like MyWay. With upcoming regulatory changes and ongoing pressure in the recruitment market, we expect demand for benefits technology to remain exceptionally strong.”