IFA Financial Advisers on The Desk
The UK financial advice market in 2026
UK households hold more than £9 trillion in personal financial assets, yet fewer than one in ten consumers receive regulated financial advice in any given year. The advice gap remains one of the defining features of the UK retail financial services landscape.
Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) sit at the centre of this market. Regulated by the FCA, independent advisers are required to consider the full range of retail investment products across the market before making a personal recommendation. The word "independent" is a regulated term, not a marketing claim.
What defines a firm on The Desk
An IFA on The Desk is an FCA-authorised firm whose status, permissions and trading history have been independently confirmed before publication. We verify active FCA authorisation, Companies House trading status, and — for larger firms — Statement of Professional Standing (SPS) and network affiliations where applicable.
Profiling is editorial. We report. We do not regulate.
Core advice disciplines we cover
- Wealth management — investment portfolios, fund selection, model portfolio services
- Pensions advice — SIPP, SSAS, defined benefit transfers, retirement income planning
- Estate planning — inheritance tax mitigation, trusts, gifting strategies, business relief
- Tax-efficient investment — ISA, VCT, EIS, SEIS, business investment relief
- Protection advice — life cover, income protection, critical illness, relevant life plans
The best IFAs are paid to tell clients what they do not want to hear. Selection should prioritise independence of judgement over polish of presentation.
How to read an IFA profile
Every IFA on The Desk carries its FCA reference number, Companies House number, declared permissions and adviser qualification summary where provided. Consumers should always verify FCA status directly at register.fca.org.uk before instructing any adviser.