Engaging with UK Financial Advisors: Trends, Concerns, and Opportunities
February 2019
48
About the Report
About the Report
Engaging with UK Financial Advisors: Trends, Concerns, and Opportunities
Summary
The UK financial advisor market is in strong shape. Typically considered a shrinking market, the number of advisors and advice firms are increasing, while average revenues are also on the up. And investor demand for advice remains strong, particularly for those approaching or in retirement. With the opportunities afforded by the 2015 pension freedoms and an aging population in need of retirement advice, growth prospects are strong for financial advisors. But there is a heavy and growing regulatory burden, which is a notable driver for those exiting the profession and the resulting high level of acquisition activity. Regulation is pushing remaining advisors to rethink their business models-whether that involves switching to restricted status, using independent financial advisor (IFA) support services, or even restructuring propositions and outsourcing investment management. This is all set against the rise of automated investment services, which is currently low on the list of advisor priorities but which the Financial Conduct Authority looks set to put firmly on the agenda in 2019.
This report is a comprehensive analysis of the UK financial advice market, with a focus on key issues affecting IFAs and their businesses. The report draws from our 2018 IFA Survey and our 2018 UK Investor Survey.
Specifically the report-
- Provides an overview of the UK IFA competitive landscape, analyzing advisor numbers, business models, and industry consolidation trends.
- Examines key demographics accessing financial advice and the reasons behind them doing so.
- Identifies the threats and opportunities for IFAs trying to expand their business.
- Analyzes the impact of Brexit and MiFID II on the UK financial advice industry.
- Examines factors influencing IFAs' choice between independent and restricted models.
- Offers insight into how product providers, including platforms and DFMs, can engage with the IFA industry.
Scope
- Overview of the UK IFA competitive landscape, analyzing advisor numbers, business models, and industry consolidation trends.
- Key demographics accessing financial advice and the reasons behind them doing so.
- Threats and Opportunities for IFAs trying to expand their business.
- Impact of Brexit and MiFID II on the UK financial advice industry.
- Factors influencing IFAs' choice between independent and restricted models.
- Insight into how product providers, including platforms and DFMs, can engage with the IFA industry.
Reasons to buy
- Understand which segments of the UK investment market offer the highest growth potential.
- Identify the main pain points of IFAs to engage with them effectively.
- Discover what is driving consolidation in the UK IFA market in order to understand how you can benefit from the trend.
- Learn how IFAs choose their partners and product providers to increase your penetration in the market.
Products
Products
IFA, IFAs, advice, FCA, MPS, managed portfolio service, DFM, discretionary fund manager, discretionary fund management, mifid, RDR, retail distribution review, pensions freedom, pension freedom, DB, DC, defined benefits, defined contributions, FAMR, financial advice market review, Advised investors, Emerging affluent, Financial advisers, financial advice, financial planning, investments, life events, mass affluent, pensions, retail investors, retirement, self-directed investors, unadvised investors
Companies
FCA
Cofunds
Aegon
Blevins Franks
Aisa International
Blacktower Financial
St. James's Place
Openwork
threesixty
Bankhall
and SimplyBiz
Sanlam
Tenetselect
Stirling House
AFH
AE Financial Services
Ascot Lloyd
Ashton House
Aylwin
Belasis
Brewin Dolphin
Core Financial Services
CTL Three
CWP Financial Services
Debbie and Nick Burchall
DG Pryde
Emery Little Financial Services
Fairstone
Generic Financial Management
Grennan Advisers
Harvey Curtis
Harwood Wealth Management
HMFC Wealth Management
Index Wealth Management
Lifetime Investment & Seminar Services
Lyn Financial Services
Mark Hughes & Associates
Moneyfax
Monopoly Financial Consultants
Newell Palmer
Nick Davies
Old Mutual Wealth
Premier Wealth Management
Robert Goodman Associates
Sanlam UK
Sense Wealth Management
Sims Financial Planning
Steve White
The Acumen Investment Partnership
Thomas Heald
Tilney
Zimb Johnson Bespoke Financial Planning
British Steel
Active Wealth
Bellpenny
Sandringham Financial Partners
Aviva
Hargreaves Lansdown
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1. A buoyant UK IFA market carries a heavy regulatory burden
1.2. Key findings
1.3. Critical success factors
2. THE UK FINANCIAL ADVISOR MARKET IS BUOYANT
2.1. The number of financial advisor firms and advisors is increasing
2.1.1. There were 26,311 financial advisor firms at the end of 2017
2.1.2. The majority of financial advisor firms are independent
2.1.3. Average revenues from retail investments are on the up
2.2. Financial advisors are the leading channel in the sale of pensions and investment products
2.2.1. Financial advisors accounted for 58% of pensions and retail investment product sales in the first half of 2018
2.2.2. Outside of pension investments, investors tend to arrange investments directly or via a financial advisor
2.2.3. The expertise of financial advisors is the key draw for investors
2.3. Mass affluent individuals are the mainstay of the advice market, with retirement a key prompt for seeking advice
2.3.1. Retirement is a key driver for seeking advice
3. REGULATION IS CONSIDERED THE GREATEST THREAT AND AN AGING POPULATION THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY
3.1. Threats: compliance is the chief concern for advisors, while competition from robo-advisors causes little worry
3.1.1. Brexit, industry consolidation, and the tax treatment of pensions are also considered key threats
3.1.2. Advisors are less concerned about the competition posed by robo-advisors
3.2. Brexit is the most imminent threat and will bring increased volatility
3.2.1. Client communication will be key in guiding clients through volatility
3.2.2. Advisors servicing British expats in Continental Europe face particular challenges
3.3. The regulatory burden for financial advisors shows no signs of diminishing and is particularly hard on sole advisors
3.3.1. 2018 was a big year for new regulation, with more set for 2019
3.3.2. MiFID II brought in numerous changes for advisors, and the impact continues into 2019
3.3.3. The impact of MiFID II on clients so far has been limited, but may change as the first cost and charges disclosures are released
3.3.4. The regulatory burden is of particular concern to single IFAs
3.4. Industry consolidation: perceived as both a threat and an opportunity
3.4.1. Industry consolidation continues apace
3.4.2. 8.4% of advisors are considering exiting the profession, providing a steady pipeline for acquirers
3.4.3. Retirement is the number one driver for exits, but regulation is also a notable factor
3.5. Fears over pension tax relief cuts have yet to be realised, but linger on
3.5.1. The October 2018 budget did not make the much-feared raid on pension tax relief
3.6. Opportunities: the UK's aging population represents the greatest opportunity
3.6.1. Changes to pension laws, DB to DC transfers, and social care funding are also considered notable opportunities
3.7. The UK's aging population provides a growing customer base for financial advisors
3.7.1. By 2041 there will be almost 4 million additional adults of pensionable age
3.7.2. The aging population will have not only retirement planning requirements but also social care funding needs
3.8. DB to DC transfers are an opportunity, but are not without risk
3.8.1. The value of DB to DC transfers is growing
3.8.2. More advisors are obtaining permission to advise on DB to DC transfers
3.8.3. However, the FCA is putting advisors under increasing scrutiny and professional indemnity premiums are rising due to mis-selling fears
4. TO TARGET FINANCIAL ADVISORS EFFECTIVELY, PROVIDERS MUST CONSIDER COST, REGULATION, AND CARE FOR END CLIENTS
4.1. There is limited scope for providers to encourage advisors to become restricted
4.1.1. Restricted advisors accounted for 11% of the market at the end of 2017
4.1.2. Just 3% of current IFAs are considering switching to restricted status
4.1.3. For independent advisors considering switching, the opportunity to spend more time with clients is key
4.2. Service provision: platform usage is embedded, but competition is robust
4.2.1. 91% of advisors use an investment platform
4.2.2. Cost is the key consideration for advisors when selecting a platform, but product range also comes into play
4.2.3. Advisors review providers annually, and 7.5% are considering switching provider
4.3. Service provision: demand for investment management outsourcing is solid, but reservations remain
4.3.1. 39.1% of financial advisors outsource investment management to a DFM
4.3.2. The ability to focus on planning and client relationships are the greatest draws to outsourcing, while cost is the biggest barrier
4.3.3. A good investment track record is the top requirement of advisors looking to outsource
5. APPENDIX
5.1. Abbreviations and acronyms
5.2. Definitions
5.2.1. Article 3 exempt firms from MiFID
5.2.2. DB pension
5.2.3. DC pension
5.2.4. Emerging affluent
5.2.5. HNW
5.2.6. IFA
5.2.7. Liquid assets
5.2.8. Mass affluent
5.2.9. Mass market
5.2.10. OADR
5.2.11. Restricted advisor
5.2.12. SPA
5.3. Methodology
5.3.1. GlobalData's 2018 IFA Survey
5.3.2. GlobalData's 2018 UK Investor Survey
5.4. Secondary sources
5.5. Further reading
List of Figure
List of Figures
Figure 1: The number of financial advisor firms and advisors is increasing, with the majority of firms consisting of five or fewer advisors
Figure 2: Almost 90% of financial advisors have independent status
Figure 3: Retail investment fees and charges are the predominant revenue type for advisors
Figure 4: Bank-led retail investment product sales have collapsed since the RDR
Figure 5: Investors largely arrange investments directly or via a financial advisor
Figure 6: Financial advisors dominate the financial landscape both in terms of number of companies and number of advisors
Figure 7: Investors that use financial planners are actively seeking out investment expertise
Figure 8: Those investing directly have a strong preference for managing investments themselves
Figure 9: Mass affluent clients typically account for the majority of an advisor's book
Figure 10: Mass affluent investors are more likely to hold investment products than mass market or emerging affluent consumers
Figure 11: Retirement is the number one prompt for clients to seek financial advice
Figure 12: Savings, pensions, and investments are the key products that prompt investors to turn to a financial advisor
Figure 13: Staying compliant with regulation is the most widespread concern among financial advisors
Figure 14: Single advisors are most concerned about staying compliant with changing regulations
Figure 15: 8.4% of financial advisors are thinking about exiting the financial advice profession
Figure 16: Approaching retirement is the key driver for advisors exiting the profession
Figure 17: A number of providers offer regulatory, compliance, and marketing support to IFAs
Figure 18: The UK's aging population is considered the greatest opportunity by financial advisors
Figure 19: There will be noticeable increases in the working population and those of pensionable age by 2041
Figure 20: The volume of advisors turning restricted has tapered off significantly since 2015
Figure 21: Over 90% of IFAs would not consider switching to a restricted model
Figure 22: To encourage advisors to switch to restricted status, networks and providers should focus on client time and easing the regulatory burden
Figure 23: Financial advisors tend to work with multiple platform providers
Figure 24: Low cost is the key requirement of a platform package, followed by investment product range
Figure 25: 39.1% of financial advisors outsource investment activities for personal clients to DFMs
Figure 26: The ability for advisors to focus on financial planning is the key reason to outsource to a DFM
Figure 27: Cost is the number one barrier to outsourcing to a DFM
Figure 28: A good investment track record and excellent customer service are the key requirements of advisors outsourcing to DFMs
List of Table
List of Tables
Table 1: Average retail investment revenues of financial advice firms (GBP), segmented by number of advisors, 2015-17
Table 2: Selected IFA acquisitions in 2018
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