- AI reshapes personal advice: 89% of advisers say AI will transform the client–adviser relationship, yet over two-thirds remain concerned about clients using unregulated AI tools without professional guidance
- Clients hold steady amid global pressures: Rising inflation and interest rates top client concerns (62%), followed by market volatility (25%) and tax/monetary changes (18%) as political uncertainty bites
- Advisers push for growth in a tougher market: With operating conditions tightening, advisers cite expanding their client base (41%), boosting retention (17%) and leveraging technology for efficiency (17%) as primary drivers of commercial growth
Financial advisers recognise the transformative impact of AI on their industry, with most seeing it as supporting traditional financial advice rather than replacing it, according to the ‘Openwork Pulse’, an inaugural survey conducted by the Openwork Partnership polling its advisers on the topical issues affecting the industry.
AI continues to transform the adviser landscape
Nearly nine in ten advisers (89%*) believe that AI will have an impact on the traditional client-adviser relationship, with more than two-thirds (68%) citing concerns about clients turning to it for financial advice without professional guidance and being misled as a result.
Yet despite this, AI and technology are seen as being enablers of delivering high-quality financial advice to clients. Most respondents are confident that the impact of the technology will be positive, with more than half (55%) believing that AI will complement their roles, freeing up more time to focus on strategic advice and strengthening client relationships. Only one in six advisers have seen more clients using AI to support with their financial planning over the last six months and one in five (20%) advisers are already exploring how they can incorporate AI into a hybrid advice model with a further 16% recognising an urgent need to adapt their business to remain competitive.
Clients and advisers steady themselves amid elevated uncertainty
As AI reshapes the financial advice sector, advisers are also navigating a wider landscape defined by geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty. When asked what their clients are most worried about in the wake of geopolitical tensions, 62% of advisers said rising inflation/interest rates.
A quarter (25%) cited market volatility as the single biggest issue concerning clients over the past 6 months, followed closely by tax and monetary changes (18%) and the broader impact of geopolitics on financial wellbeing (15%). For wealth advisers advising on market portfolios, a majority (70%) of clients remain concerned about recent geopolitical tensions but are opting not to make radical changes to their financial plans.
Advisers double down on growth in a tougher market
As the operating environment for financial advice businesses tightens, Openwork advisers remain singularly focused on propelling their business toward growth. An overwhelming majority cited leveraging technology to improve efficiency (17%), increasing client retention (17%) and expanding the client base (41%) as the top drivers for expanding their business.
This appetite for innovation is matched by the Openwork Partnership itself. With the strategic partnership with Bain Capital, the network is poised to support advisers throughout the lifecycle, from providing training and development through the Business School, provisioning capital to scale ambitious firms, facilitating M&A and to aiding succession planning. As half of advisers anticipate retiring over the coming decade, Openwork is stepping up to provide the resources, guidance and operational strength needed to help firms manage succession smoothly and continue to thrive, whilst providing essential continuity of care and service for their clients.
Rob Barker, CEO of The Openwork Partnership, said: “At Openwork, we fully appreciate that AI is reshaping the adviser landscape at remarkable speed, and our findings show advisers are embracing that change with both optimism and realism. Like many of our advisers, we see technology not as a threat, but as an enabler that frees them to focus on more in-depth conversations and building stronger client relationships.
I'm particularly encouraged to see advisers doubling down on opportunities and innovation in what is becoming a tougher operating environment. Growth can be achieved by leveraging technology to drive efficiency, strengthening client retention or expanding client bases and the shared ambition across our network is unmistakable. We remain committed to helping firms at every stage of their journey and ensuring the advice sector continues to harness technology to serve clients and protect outcomes.”
About the data
The data was collected between 10th April 2026 to 4th May 2026.
*The total number of respondents were 333 across Openwork and 2plan.
Note: All percentage figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number.
About The Openwork Partnership
We are one of the UK’s largest and longest-established financial advice networks, supporting nearly 5,000 advisers across 800+ firms across Openwork, 2plan, and Owl Financial.
Covering the full spectrum of advice, from protection, mortgages, wealth planning, and investments, we help advisers grow their businesses and deliver outstanding advice to clients. Our network is built on partnership and collaboration.
From support with recruitment, through to growth, succession and renewal, we enable our network firms to build and grow successful, sustainable practices and focus on delivering the best possible advice to their clients.
This includes access to our proprietary investment proposition, Omnis Investments, the Openwork Business School, a dedicated platform to support recruitment, training and professional development across the network, and our 800+ strong central team which offers expert support in areas such as compliance, technology, marketing, and operations.
The Openwork Group is majority-owned by the Openwork Partnership LLP with Bain Capital and its employees holding minority stakes.
Media contact
Hamza Farooq
Senior External Communications Manager
The Openwork Partnership
Hamza.Farooq@theopenworkpartnership.com