Trust In Financial Advice is Growing.

by | Jun 29, 2025 | For Clients

In a period marked by economic uncertainty and shifting investor behaviour, one trend remains clear: trust in financial advice is growing—particularly in the UK.

According to a recent global investor survey by Natixis, a striking 91% of UK investors say they trust financial advisers more than themselves when it comes to making financial decisions. In an environment shaped by rising inflation, tax pressures, and concerns over concentrated equity markets, the demand for independent, expert guidance continues to climb which is a good thing.

You can read the full article in IFA Magazine here

Investor Demand Is Rising

UK investors are facing a range of financial pressures—and they’re increasingly turning to advisers for support:

  • 58% say they are saving less due to rising day-to-day living costs.
  • 42% are worried that a downturn in high-performing tech stocks could have an outsized impact on their portfolios.
  • More clients are seeking collaborative, values-based financial planning—along with strategies that are both diversified and tax-efficient.

    This shift in behaviour plays to the strengths of independent advisers, especially those offering a personal, holistic service. For smaller firms that understand the needs of long-standing clients, this is indeed good news and shows that IFA advice is still very much valued and indeed necessary.

Why Supply Is Shrinking

Well, we all know the reasons why:

  • Rising regulatory demands
  • The cost and complexity of ongoing compliance
  • The challenge of succession planning
  • Adviser ageing: The bulk of us are over 50 and are naturally approaching retirement age or a time where we perhaps want to take it a little easier.

This has led to a tightening pool of high-quality targets as consolidation continues

The Strategic Window for Buyers and Sellers

The change of demand and contracting supply has created a favourable landscape for both buyers and sellers.

• For growth-focused firms, this is a strategic moment to expand your client base,
  assets  under advice, and regional footprint.

• For owners considering a sale—even within the next few years—it’s an ideal time to begin planning. With preparation, you can position your business for a smoother exit and a stronger valuation.

How Harrison Spence Can Help

At Harrison Spence, helping buyers and sellers in the financial advice sector isn’t just something we do, it’s what we specialise in.

Whether you’re exploring your first acquisition or planning to scale an existing firm, our experienced consultancy team is here to guide you every step of the way. From sourcing suitable targets to structuring deals and ensuring cultural alignment, we’ll help you make the right move at the right time.

For sellers we’ll help you with that often-awkward decision thought process. In our experience, there is always more than one path forward. The key is knowing what’s possible.

For an informal no pressure chat about how we can help you prepare for a sale, please do get in touch.