This month’s In Focus campaign explores how advisers can help clients build and maintain financial resilience in a time of economic uncertainty, market volatility, and increasing day-to-day financial pressures. We are looking at the practical role advice can play in helping people feel more secure, better prepared, and more confident about their financial future.
Financial resilience can mean different things to different clients, but at its heart it is about being able to withstand shocks, adapt to change and stay on track when life does not go to plan. Whether it is rising living costs, inflation, changing interest rates, volatile markets or a sudden loss of income, many households are facing a growing number of financial challenges. Against this backdrop, the value of clear, thoughtful and forward-looking financial advice becomes even more apparent.
For advisers, supporting resilience is not simply about investment performance. It also means helping clients put strong foundations in place, from effective cashflow planning and emergency savings to protection, sustainable retirement income and regular reviews. Just as importantly, it means helping clients make calm, informed decisions during uncertain times and giving them confidence that their plans can flex when circumstances change.
In the following comments, professionals from across the industry share their views on how advisers can support clients in building resilience, and why this remains such an important part of the advice process.
Jenny Hunter, Deputy Editor at IFA Magazine, says:
“Financial resilience is a phrase that sounds quite grand, but in practice, it’s pretty straightforward. It’s about being realistic and preparing them for what might happen, and to be honest, is likely to happen. Finances are very rarely straightforward throughout a person’s lifetime, there are going to be some bumps in the road, especially if they are investing, and a lot of them are probably going to be outside of their control. So, it’s about helping clients feel like, if something unexpected happens, they’ll be alright and not thrown completely off course.
“From my time working as a Chartered Paraplanner in a financial adviser firm, it’s rarely one big, clever strategy that makes the difference. It’s usually the basics. Having some cash set aside, not overstretching on debt, and making sure there’s something in place if income suddenly stops. They’re not the most exciting conversations to have, but they’re often the ones that matter most when real life kicks in.
“Protection is a good example of that. It’s one of the areas that gets pushed down the list because it’s not as interesting or sexy as talking about investments or returns. But when something does go wrong, it quickly becomes the most important thing, and you really see the value of it in those moments.
“Planning plays a big role, too. When clients understand where they’re heading and what different scenarios might look like, they tend to feel much more in control. It gives them something to come back to when things feel uncertain.
“And then there’s behaviour, which is often the hardest part. Markets move, headlines get noisy, and it’s easy for people to panic, especially when you see the chaos of what is currently going on in the world from a geopolitical sense. A lot of the job of advisers and their teams is simply being there to steady things and remind clients why they made certain decisions in the first place. Making uninformed (or informed by the media) decisions at times like this is the worst thing they can do, and it’s our job to gently remind them that these situations have happened before, will happen again and that riding them out and trusting the process is the right route to take.
“At its core, financial resilience isn’t about avoiding problems. It’s about making sure clients are in a position to deal with them when they come up and feel confident doing so. And ultimately, if they don’t feel confident, it’s about being on the other end of the phone to help them get to a place when they do so that the next time, they will be better able to handle it.”
Paul Measures, Head of Sales at Charles Stanley’s Chief Investment Office, part of Raymond James Wealth Management, comments:
“Financial resilience really comes down to helping clients feel confident that they can weather whatever curveballs life or markets throw at them, especially given the recent events in the Middle East. Advisers are already doing a huge amount of this, but having the right investments tools and expertise available to them can help to make those conversations easier.
“When markets wobble, clients that feel the greatest level of uncertainty are those approaching or in retirement, so building resilient retirement plans are the best way to navigate volatile markets. Our Tailored Income Service is designed to help advisers achieve exactly that. In building personalised, sustainable income strategies that adapt as markets move, it provides innovative ways to help mitigate sequencing, longevity and inflation risks. It gives advisers a clearer way to show clients how much they can take, when they might need to adjust, and what that means for their long‑term plans.
“But resilience isn’t only about income. On the accumulation side, having a wide range of MPS solutions helps advisers manage risk proactively and effectively, while dynamically adjusting exposures as markets move to keep clients on track.
“Ultimately, advisers can add the most value by giving clients clarity and confidence. By pairing expert guidance with flexible, well‑structured solutions like these, they can help clients stay resilient not just in tough times, but throughout their financial journey.”
Jenny Davidson, Intermediary Wealth Director at Scottish Widows, said:
“At a time when geopolitical conflict is dictating market movements and generating lots of volatility, advisers demonstrate their value with cool heads and clear plans for their clients. Advisers need support from modern platforms, helping advisers ensure clients’ plans remain robust enough to weather volatile markets, while freeing them up to focus on more strategic activities. From predictive analytics for risk mitigation, to in-built capabilities for tailored investment strategies and access to tax-efficient products – the benefits of an integrated platform can be endless.”
“With the landmark change in 2027 which will bring pensions inside the death estate, adviser workloads are only set to increase. Meanwhile, the growing use of AI for financial guidance is accelerating demand for faster, more efficient access to advice. As the stakes rise, advisers who can move quickly, automate and focus on resilient, holistic planning will stand out. Working with the right platform creates efficiency and a clear competitive edge.”
Christopher Cade, partner and head of UK sales at Sarasin & Partners, said:
“A crucial role for any adviser is to maintain regular communication and offer clients reassurance with an emphasis on resilience, while keeping their financial goals on track during periods of market volatility. This means endorsing the benefits of considered, long-term investing, time in the market, rather than timing the market, while selecting investment options that offer appropriate diversification across asset classes, without impairing liquidity or transparency.
However, for clients who may need to draw on their investments soon, particularly those in or approaching retirement, advisers can provide that resilience by ensuring they choose flexibility in their outsourced investment solutions. The structured decumulation strategy offered as part of Sarasin’s Retirement Income Solutions is one such option. It gives clients an active management strategy attempting to maintain a sustainable level of income agreed at the start by investing across three pots – long-term (yielding equities), medium-term (yielding bonds and real assets), and short-term (cash). The cash allocation is at the Adviser’s and client’s discretion and is where all income, including fees is paid from. Taking income from cash helps mitigate drawdown and sequencing risk and increases the resilience of an Income in Retirement strategy.”
Rebecca Williams, Financial Planning Divisional Lead at Rathbones, said:
“Financial resilience isn’t about having a crystal ball — it’s about being prepared for real life. And real life right now includes rising energy bills, stubborn inflation and the uncomfortable realisation that a bag of Mini Eggs now feels like a considered financial decision.
“We help clients build plans that are resilient, flexible and grounded in reality. That starts with the basics: understanding cashflow, stress‑testing spending, and having a clear emergency fund so an unexpected bill doesn’t derail everything. When day‑to‑day costs rise, that breathing space matters more than ever.
“In volatile markets — and with the risk of further inflation spikes — we help clients focus on what they can control. Diversification, sensible long‑term positioning and retirement plans that can flex as markets move are far more effective than reacting to headlines or trying to time the market.
“Just as important is confidence. In uncertain times, clients value a calm voice who can explain what’s happening, talk them off the ledge when markets wobble, and remind them why their plan exists in the first place. Good advice doesn’t eliminate uncertainty but it does turn pressure, panic and Mini Egg inflation into a plan clients can stick with.”
Mike Morris, Director, Proposition & Marketing at Origen Financial Services, comments:
“In recent years, people have faced a steady stream of economic pressures – higher living costs, fluctuating inflation and interest rates, and markets that refuse to sit still for long. Our job is to help our clients build sufficient financial resilience by having a plan for when conditions are challenging.
“At Origen Financial Services, that starts with getting the basics right. We help clients understand their cash flow situation: in particular, mapping out what happens when inflation and interest rates change, provide stress testing models to show the impact of investment returns falling short for a period, or if income unexpectedly drops. These client conversations take place regularly and often highlight simple adjustments that can strengthen a resilience.
“For investments, we’ll demonstrate the importance of diversification, anchoring portfolios to clients’ individual circumstances, ethical preferences and financial position, risk tolerance and long-term goals and aspirations. Regular reviewing and a clear explanation of changes we recommend, help clients remain focused on their long-term objectives when markets are unsettled.
“Day-to-day pressures also matter. We always encourage clients to hold cash funds sufficient to meet short term needs and protect assets and income by reviewing family protection policies and make use of tax advantageous investment wrappers and allowances. These practical steps provide significant reassurance that the basics are covered, whilst helping to build financial resilience.
“Finally, regular communications and advice reviews underpin everything. Timely market updates and reviews help clients to feel fully informed and supported. Resilience isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about providing confidence – that’s something we take great care to build with every client interaction.”
Malcolm Harper, Managing Director at Abacus Associates, says:
“Financial resilience is often mistaken to mean having more money, but the reality is far more nuanced. True resilience requires a disciplined, long term plan that can withstand pressure, whether that’s market volatility, inflation or unexpected life changes – that’s where advisers can add meaningful value.
“Finances are a deeply personal issue, and trust lies at the heart of any longstanding adviser-client relationship. Over time, a good adviser can help to shift a client’s mindset and discourage reactive short term decisions. By anchoring decisions to longer term goals, such as affording education, planning for retirement or supporting their family members, advisers help clients see beyond the days and weeks, into years and decades.
“Naturally, hedging risk is crucial. The more financially resilient clients tend to have well sophisticated investment portfolios that provide exposure to a range of diverse assets, from funds, stocks and shares through to “safe haven” assets, such as government bonds. While it’s impossible to prepare for every eventuality, advisers can guide clients towards a balanced approach that ultimately makes them more resilient in the long run.
In uncertain times, clients do not need a running commentary on markets. They need clarity and reassurance that their plan still works. Financial resilience is not built in a moment of crisis, rather it is built over time, through consistent planning, clear communication and the confidence that comes from knowing you are prepared for whatever lies around the corner.”
Ian Kloss, head of intermediaries at RBC Brewin Dolphin:
“In my time in the financial industry, economic uncertainty has been a constant feature of the financial landscape. With market volatility, rising living costs and shifting interest‑rate environments shaping client behaviour, financial resilience is no longer a peripheral concept. It’s central to effective planning. Thankfully, advisers are uniquely positioned to help clients build the confidence and capacity to withstand shocks and stay focused on their long‑term goals.
“Resilience starts with strong foundations. Helping clients understand what they want to achieve and articulate those goals is critical to the advice process. It is equally important to keep reviewing progress against those objectives. Encouraging clients to maintain adequate liquidity, stress‑test their cashflow and hold realistic emergency funds gives them the stability to remain invested when markets fluctuate. In turbulent periods, this buffer becomes the difference between staying the course and making reactive decisions.
“Advisers also play a crucial role in helping clients frame and reframe volatility. By providing historical context, reinforcing how asset allocation works best over the clients required time horizon and demonstrating the cost of missing market recoveries, advisers help clients see volatility as a normal and often beneficial part of long‑term investing.
“Understanding a client’s emotional relationship with money is equally important. Going beyond risk questionnaires to explore past experiences and behavioural triggers allows advisers to tailor portfolios and communication strategies that align with both financial capacity and psychological comfort.
“Protection planning further strengthens resilience. Income protection, critical illness cover and life insurance act as shock absorbers, preventing temporary setbacks from becoming long‑term derailments.
“Finally, resilience is dynamic. Regular reviews, scenario modelling and clear, jargon‑free education help clients adapt to changing conditions and feel more in control. Proactive communication, especially during periods of uncertainty like those we are currently experiencing, reinforces trust and reduces anxiety.
“In a world where uncertainty seems to be the norm, advisers who prioritise resilience not only safeguard their clients’ financial wellbeing but also deepen long‑term relationships and demonstrate the enduring value of advice to this and future generations.”
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