Majority of IFAs fear shortage of new talent to cope with demand

Concerns around the shortage of new entrants to the profession

Sahar Nazir
clock • 1 min read

Three quarters (76%) of independent financial advisers (IFAs) believe there are not enough advisers entering the industry to cope with future demand.

The study was conducted by market research company Opinium, which surveyed 218 financial advisers in March. Opinium head of financial services Alexa Nightingale called for incentives to be put in place to attract the next generation to join the advice sector. "Given the number of IFAs planning to retire in the next decade and the lack of IFAs joining the industry, there is no doubt that there is a growing concern on the future of the financial advice industry," she said. Three quarters (76%) of IFAs plan to retire in the next decade, with 31% expected to retire in the next two to f...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

The banks are back: What does this mean for advisers?

The banks are back: What does this mean for advisers?

Banks ‘uniquely positioned’ to provide advice to mass market

Sophia Panayi
clock 24 August 2026 • 6 min read
Social media investment advice leaves investors out of pocket - research

Social media investment advice leaves investors out of pocket - research

Over half who acted on social media financial advice regretted it

Isabel Baxter
clock 21 August 2026 • 3 min read
New sexual harassment duty: Can adviser firms show they've taken 'all reasonable steps'?

New sexual harassment duty: Can adviser firms show they've taken 'all reasonable steps'?

'Employers will be expected to take all reasonable steps'

Emily Bradshaw
clock 19 August 2026 • 4 min read