Client acquisition (34%) and client retention (23%) are the top business priorities for financial advisers over the next 12 months, according to IFA directory Unbiased.

The importance of developing and maintaining strong client relationships demonstrates the competitiveness of the UK financial advice market, according to the IFA directory.

Other business priorities for advisers over the next year were technology adoption (14%), expanding service offering (9%) and regulatory compliance (8%).

Source: Unbiased Pro, 10 September 2025

When asked what would help them provide better client service, advisers called for less paperwork, more automation, and greater fee flexibility.

Matt Cockayne, chief revenue officer at Unbiased Pro, said: “With demographic shifts and regulatory changes accelerating, advisers who can attract and retain the right clients will be best positioned to thrive.

“There’s a real opportunity to unlock efficiency through smarter technology and strategies that can help advisers grow sustainably and connect with the right clients faster.”

Ubiased previously said it has seen an increase in the number of advisers using its service to find new high net worth clients.

Unbiased saw a 48% surge in 2024 in the number of advisers using its service to seek clients with assets of at least £500,000 to invest.

Demand for clients with lower asset values increased just 3% when comparing the first quarter of 2023 with the same period in 2024.

The growing disparity suggests financial advisers are “focusing on maximising their returns” at the expense of bridging the advice gap, according to Unbiased.