This episode was recorded live at Octo Members Progressive Planning 2025 event in February 2025. It explores why people are not embracing AI and the challenges and opportunities this presents.

This episode is also available as a video which can be found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2VDK6QLmoE

Chris Pitt, Helen Clark, Chris Baigent-Reed and Paul Miles discuss the size and shape of the current Adviser Market, based on Chris Pitt's research paper, published by Jigsaw Tree which can be found https://www.jigsawtree.com/post/the-size-and-structure-of-the-ukfinancial-advice-market-2024

Research found that in 2024 there were around 11,500 firms across the industry including Directly Authorised and Appointed Representatives and around 37,000 Advisers, concluding that the market is larger than statistics reported.

The group discusses the size and current and future state of this market focusing on the potential impact of technology, consolidation and regulatory change. It includes some interesting predictions regarding how we see the market will change over the coming years and one to watch.

Helen Clark, Chris Baigent-Reed, Paul Miles and Christopher Pitt discuss data, a very wide topic indeed. Here they focus in on the importance of data for adviser firms, the impact of AI on data and data in the light of legislation including consumer duty.

They look at the key challenges they are seeing, the considerations and solutions. Talking through real life experiences of the data strategies they are helping firms implement and the questions firms should be asking themselves to connect technology and simplify processes to result in one source of truth. Data is not going to become less important, it is only going to become more important. Data is already front of mind for smart businesses what are the roles and new technology essential for the business of the future. This podcast provides lots of practical advice and tips that will help you navigate the data complexities of advice firm business owners