Almost 90 per cent of advisers expect to remain in business post-RDR, according to the latest Aviva Adviser Barometer.

The firm surveyed 250 advisers and found that two thirds were making changes to their business model and 67 per cent were adopting client segmentation to provide different levels of service.

Almost half expected to increase investment in their business post-RDR and 36 per cent were looking to recruit more advisers to their firm.

This indicates they feel positive about the RDR changes and are confident in the potential of the market and consumers’ desire for quality advice.

The biggest worry for advisers was how to remain profitable post-RDR but worries about achieving the necessary Level 4 qualifications have fallen.

Some 75 per cent of advisers were using between one to three platforms regularly and these were chosen by the platform’s research capabilities and breadth of online services.

Dean Lamble, director of distribution development at Aviva, said: “The RDR is one of the biggest changes we have seen in the financial services arena for many years.

“Therefore, the signs that intermediaries are not just meeting the challenge but also using it as an opportunity to future-proof their livelihoods is great news.”

The figures echo figures from the Financial Services Authority in November which found that 91 per cent of advisers were already qualified or expect to be qualified by the RDR deadline.