Chief executive Andy Bell says results show investment platform is 'a business of scale' ahead of planned flotation. : AJ Bell's pre-tax profits rose 31% to £28.4 million in the financial year ending in September, as the platform and Sipp provider saw an increase in clients and assets ahead of a planned initial public offering (IPO). Alongside the financial results the investment platform said it expected to publish a prospectus providing more details on its IPO plans on 27 November.