The great wealth transfer, women & wealth and consolidation – key adviser trends that will define 2026

Jenny Davidson, Intermediary Wealth Director, identifies the £7 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer, the growing influence of female investors and ongoing platform consolidation as key themes shaping advice in 2026, highlighting both risk and opportunity for firms focused on long-term client relationships and resilience.

From the continued emergence of AI, to guiding clients’ investment strategies through the endless threat of trade wars, 2025 was a busy year for advisers. And the dramatic geopolitical events of the first few weeks of 2026 suggest that this year will be just as busy.

As advisers know all too well, forecasting in such an unpredictable market environment holds its own set of challenges. Nonetheless, there are still some certainties we can come to expect for the year ahead. To that end, here are three key areas that are likely to impact advice and present opportunities to add value for clients in 2026 and beyond.

Over the next 30 years, the UK will witness the single biggest generational transfer of wealth. Baby Boomers – considered the wealthiest generation to date – will pass an estimated £7trillion down to Generation X and Millennials as they enter their 70s and 80s. This handover will prompt many people to seek financial advice for the first time. For advisers, it’s a well-known and unique opportunity to capitalise on a once-in-a-generation phenomenon and future-proof their business. Getting this right will mean taking a dual approach: building relationships with clients’ partners and children early, while also proactively engaging a new cohort of younger, often sceptical inheritors.

The urgency is clear. Data shows up to 80% of beneficiaries plan to change adviser1 after inheriting wealth, often because of a lack of a strong relationship. This scepticism is reinforced in our latest Investor Confidence Barometer too – a third (32%) of 25-34 year olds are unconvinced financial advice will save them money, while 23% don’t trust advisers. The challenge for firms will be to clearly demonstrate value, particularly as the rules regarding Inheritance Tax changes to pensions in 2027 will catalyse the conversation about wealth and inheritance.

Millions of women face unique challenges when growing their wealth, particularly the impact of career breaks. I, like many other women, experienced a definite and lasting impact on my own pension provision after choosing to work part-time following the birth of my children. But my situation is by no means unique. These personal shortfalls are a reality for millions across the UK who are balancing work, family life, and their future wealth.

As the great wealth transfer accelerates, many women will require financial advice for the first time, and potentially at a time they are vulnerable. Advisers’ success with female clients will therefore hinge on trust, and understanding. Research we conducted with Boring Money found that just 38% of advised women take the lead in managing their finances, which could increase the risk of client attrition when this wealth is eventually transferred to them. It also finds that when women are dissatisfied with advice, it is more often due to advisers’ perceived lack of understanding, rather than technical competence.

Advisers, therefore, will need to do three things: guide women through financial disruption, grow their wealth, and also engage with an audience critical to their business’ resilience.

It’s for these reasons advisers must better understand and serve female clients – supporting them through key life stages and career breaks. Failure to adapt could risk missed growth and material AUA loss.

Millions of women face unique challenges when growing their wealth, particularly the impact of career breaks. I, like many other women, experienced a definite and lasting impact on my own pension provision after choosing to work part-time following the birth of my children.

In the era of consumer duty, generating positive client outcomes and demonstrating value for money is essential. Additionally, advice firms will also have their own objectives that they want to achieve. Positive outcomes for client and firm can be best achieved by partnering with industry-leading platforms. As the likelihood of platform consolidation grows, making the right decision could be business critical.

Our Investor Confidence Barometer report asked advisers about the current platform market and where it is headed. The report found 61% of advisers agreed with the idea that consolidation will continue over the next three years. Advisers are also keenly aware of the risk of too much consolidation drowning out necessary competition that helps to keep the sector innovative, with 35% worried about the extent of consolidation and 92% saying a variety of providers is essential to good outcomes.

In a constantly evolving platform market, advisers should choose a robust platform that is financially strong and has the capability and expertise to invest in continual enhancement of the adviser experience. This approach allows advisers to focus on positive client outcomes, while keeping their business secure.

While these areas are just a few bumps in the road advisers may expect to face in 2026, they represent as much of an opportunity as they do a risk if not navigated correctly. With uncertainty becoming a common buzzword in recent months, the advisers that succeed will be those that focus on the fundamentals of advice. Delivering clear, client-centric value, navigating complexity with confidence, and building trusted relationships with the next generation of inheritors is the key to protecting both client outcomes and long-term business resilience. Similarly, picking the right platform to build a trusted partnership with has never been more important.

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