More people are managing their wealth through active, bespoke investment management services offered by Financial Planners and advisers, according to new research.

All Financial Planners and advisers surveyed said the percentage of clients’ assets they manage through a bespoke investment management service has increased since 2023.

More than three-quarters, 77%, of those surveyed reported an increase of up to 25%.

Wealth manager Rathbones, which conducted the survey, said those Financial Planners and advisers who don’t currently recommend bespoke investment management services expect to do so in the next four years.

Financial Planners and advisers predicted a further increase in the percentage of clients’ assets managed through a bespoke investment management service between now and 2027.

One in five, 20%, said they expect an increase of between 5% and 15% while around two-thirds, 64%, said they expect an increase of between 15% and 25%.

Around one in eight, 13%, of advisers said they expect an increase of between 25% and 50%. 

While nearly half, 46%, of advisers said clients need a portfolio of at least £400,000 to qualify for bespoke services, around one in ten, 9%, said they would offer a bespoke investment management service to clients with between £250,000 and £300,000 in their investment portfolio.

Simon Taylor, head of strategic partnerships at Rathbones, said: “Bespoke investment management services offer financial advisers and wealth managers access to research capabilities and an ability to react quickly to changing market conditions and individual client needs, making them increasingly popular.

“With an ageing population in the UK, and people increasingly aware of the need to provide for their retirement, we’re seeing growing demand for such advice and support.”

Rathbones said its research is supported by a Financial Lives Survey undertaken by the FCA in 2024. It showed the number of people saving into pensions rose by 5m between 2017 and 2024 to 31.6m, 58% of all adults, from 26m and 51% of all adults in 2017.

• Rathbones commissioned independent research agency Pure Profile to interview 100 UK IFAs and Financial Planners including 75 who currently offer bespoke investment management/discretionary fund management services.