The majority of individuals that receive professional financial advice across the UK have remained with the same adviser throughout, a new study by St. James’s Place (SJP) reveals, highlighting the power of longstanding advice relationships. Just under 12,000 UK adults were surveyed this year and the results show financial advice and guidance can benefit immensely.
The relationship with a financial adviser
By Victoria Lewis
This article is published on: 31st October 2024
More than 62% have never switched their financial adviser, rising to nearly 75% for those aged 35 and over.
The study also found that the typical relationship with a financial adviser or advice firm lasts around 7 years, but this increases to over a decade for those aged 55 and over – with nearly 31% of this generation having been with their adviser for 16 years or more.
Trust, understanding and financial satisfaction are the main reasons for never switching financial adviser:
• Trusting their adviser
• Being happy with the advice and financial returns their adviser has delivered
• Their adviser understanding their financial situation
• Having a good relationship with their adviser which has been built over several years
• Their adviser understanding their long-term goals and helping to deliver them
• Their adviser looking after both them and their family
• Their adviser having helped them through big life stages/ moments
SJP said: “Financial advice is about much more than numbers on a page or graphs on a screen.
It’s about building deep, meaningful relationships, and as our research shows these can last many years and span generations.
Whether you’re navigating the early stages of wealth creation, planning for retirement, or managing an unexpected life change, having a trusted adviser by your side can make all the difference.
These were the main reasons cited for working with a financial adviser on an ongoing basis:
• Putting the foundations in place for a stronger financial future
• Helping them to save more money for retirement
• Ensuring they have adequate protection in place if they need it
• Getting on the property ladder
• Navigating difficult periods like divorce or bereavement
• Pass on money to their children or loved ones
• Better manage the cost of raising children
• To provide more financial support to elderly family members
Andy Payne continues: “These goals, moments and milestones may be common to many throughout their lives, but the specific circumstances will always be unique. Having support from an expert financial adviser, with not just the technical expertise but the empathy to deploy it sensitively and with their clients’ needs in mind, can be the difference between a hope dashed and a dream realised.”
If you have already have a financial adviser but doubt if they are the right person for you, perhaps it’s time for a change?
Or perhaps have you been struggling to navigate your financial planning on your own?
I have worked with Spectrum as an International Financial Adviser for over 21 years and still look after my clients who worked with me from the very beginning. I advise the children of my clients now and even other family members too.
The synergy I have with my clients is because we understand each other – our relationship is based on trust and confidence and I know it’s an enjoyable experience because they recommend me to their family and friends. That’s the greatest endorsement I could wish for.