The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is taking meaningful steps to make financial advice more accessible, flexible, and, ultimately, more relevant to people’s needs. This isn’t just about regulatory fine print—it’s about reshaping the advice landscape to reflect how clients actually want to engage.
In its latest Advice Guidance Boundary Review, the FCA is tackling a long-standing problem: many people don’t seek professional financial advice because they see it as too costly, too complicated, or too rigid. For years, advisers have been required to deliver a full, holistic financial planning process even for clients who only wanted help with one question, like investing a modest lump sum or planning for a specific goal.
The FCA’s new proposals aim to fix that. By introducing more flexible rules, they want to let advisers deliver “streamlined” or “core” advice for simpler needs, without all the unnecessary cost and complexity.
Why is this happening?
For many consumers, traditional advice has felt like an all-or-nothing proposition. Either pay for a comprehensive, sometimes expensive plan—even if you only have one or two needs—or go without professional help.
This has left a large segment of the population unadvised and underserved, turning instead to generic online content, robo-solutions, or simply doing nothing. The FCA recognises that to close this advice gap, advisers need the regulatory freedom to meet people where they are.
The reforms will make it easier for firms to help clients with specific, limited advice needs, without breaching rules that previously forced them to deliver a full, often overengineered service.
Why this matters for IFAs
At first glance, some advisers might see this as a move designed for robo-advice platforms or mass-market providers. But that misses the bigger picture.
These changes open up real opportunities for traditional IFAs willing to evolve.
By embracing more flexible models, advisers can serve clients who would have been out of reach before—those with simpler needs, smaller investment amounts, or very targeted questions. That might mean helping someone invest a small inheritance, choose an ISA, or plan for a one-off goal without committing to a full, lifelong plan.
Importantly, it allows advisers to design service levels that truly match a client’s circumstances. Not everyone needs (or can afford) an extensive, holistic plan. But everyone can benefit from quality, tailored advice delivered in a way that’s transparent and accessible.
A changing client expectation
Clients are changing, too. People today expect the same convenience, flexibility, and transparency in their financial lives that they see in other areas. They don’t want to be forced into a one-size-fits-all service model. They want to pick the level of support that suits them, without surprises, hidden fees, or feeling pushed into paying for services they don’t need.
Advisers who can respond to this expectation will stand out in a crowded market. Being able to say “Yes, we can help with that small question” is powerful. It builds trust and it opens the door to long-term relationships.
The risk of ignoring this shift
Of course, there’s also a risk here. Advisers who stick rigidly to old models might find themselves losing market share to firms that embrace this flexibility first. Consumers now have more choices than ever—from robo-advice platforms to DIY investing apps. While these services can’t replace the depth and personalisation of human advice, they do set a benchmark for ease and cost. If traditional advisers can’t adapt, they risk appearing expensive, outdated, and inflexible.
How advisers can prepare
1. Review your service models. Can you offer multiple tiers of service that meet clients where they are? That might mean a comprehensive plan for those who want it, but also simpler, more focused engagements for others.
2. Prioritise clear communication. Advisers should be proactive in explaining these new options as the rules evolve. Clients will have questions. They’ll want to know what they’re getting, what it costs, and why it fits their needs.
3. Think operationally. Delivering streamlined advice requires efficient processes, clear documentation, and the ability to deliver quality outcomes without adding complexity or compliance risk.
The FCA’s changes are about opening the advice market, making it easier for more people to get the help they need. For IFAs, this is an invitation to build flexible, client-focused services, educate, and make quality advice accessible without sacrificing professionalism or trust. Those who adapt now won’t just comply with new rules—they’ll earn their place as the adviser of choice for the next generation of clients.
