Strong markets, smart moves: How UK advisers are preparing for what’s next

Strong markets can mask growing risks, but advisers aren’t standing still. 

In our recent pulse survey of UK financial advisers*, we found that a significant number are already taking proactive steps to strengthen portfolios and client outcomes. Here’s what your peers are considering, or doing right now as a result of recent market conditions:

• 37% are exploring more active management.
• 37% are sharpening their focus on cost efficiency and value for money.
• 36% are ramping up client communication and education around market risk.
• 31% are revising their Central Investment Proposition (CIP).
• 31% are reviewing or shortlisting DFM alternatives. 

Client sentiment is quietly cautious 

While markets have delivered strong returns, advisers describe their clients as slightly nervous (27%) or defensive/risk-averse (22%). Only 11% say their clients are “very optimistic.” This is the ideal time to prepare for what comes next, before volatility potentially returns. 

Confidence in current DFMs is split 

63% of advisers are confident their current DFM or investment partners are managing key market risks effectively, however, 37% are not. If you’re among those looking for greater assurance, you’re not alone. 

What works when volatility returns? 

Advisers say clients respond best to the following types of communication during periods of market uncertainty: 

• Client webinars (34%)
• Third-party explainers or guides (31%)
• Visual summaries or infographics (30%)

These formats aren’t just about delivering information, they help advisers cut through noise, address client concerns in real time, and make complex market movements easier to understand. Webinars create space for open dialogue and reassurance, while explainers and infographics break down risks and strategies into clear, actionable insights. By using these approaches, advisers can keep clients engaged, informed, and confident – even when markets are anything but predictable. 

How HRIS can help 

If you’re refreshing your investment proposition, Hymans Robertson Investment Services (HRIS) pairs institutional-grade research and oversight with competitive costs, delivering efficient, resilient portfolios without compromising on quality. 

*Censuswide survey of 100 UK IFAs, December 2025