Network Consulting’s newest mortgage community desk for third quarter 2025 paints a transparent image of a market in movement.
With 9,614 appointed consultant (AR) companies and 16,127 advisers holding mortgage permissions, the AR middleman sector continues its regular upward trajectory. This marks a sustained rise from 9,412 companies and 15,880 advisers in January 2024.
One attainable issue behind the rise in AR agency and adviser numbers might be a shift in adviser preferences. Anecdotally, some seem to be shifting away from Directly Authorised (DA) standing in favour of community fashions providing structured assist and compliance.
There additionally appears to be rising curiosity amongst skilled advisers in establishing their very own companies, probably reflecting a need for higher autonomy. These are themes which have emerged in dialog, although broader proof could be wanted to verify the underlying drivers.
St. James’s Place exhibits the highest motion in numbers each becoming a member of and leaving, although these figures could not mirror broader market traits. Putting them to one aspect, Stonebridge recorded the highest gross and internet progress in 2025 to date, with 79 gross and 51 internet companies becoming a member of its community (28 companies having left). Cornerstone Financial posted the highest proportion progress at 32%, persevering with their momentum from earlier quarters.
Other networks exhibiting year-to-date progress above 20% embrace Valid Path, Rosemount Financial Solutions and Ingard Financial. Ingard’s growth seems to have accelerated in Q3, which can be linked to a change in possession earlier in the yr. While these figures are encouraging, it’s essential to word that each progress and loss patterns could be influenced by a variety of things, together with strategic route, market positioning, and adviser sentiment.
Some networks have clearly skilled reductions in agency numbers. Primis, Openwork, and Quilter noticed the largest decreases, dropping 65,46 and 39 companies respectively for the yr, though this represents a small quantity in proportion phrases for these massive networks.
Pi Financial recorded a 30.4% decline in proportion phrases, although this represents a internet lack of simply seven companies. These shifts could mirror broader market dynamics or inside restructuring, however additional evaluation could be wanted to perceive the underlying causes.
Commenting on the newest knowledge Network Consulting founder and director Paul Day stated: Overall, the knowledge suggests a fluid and responsive market, with advisers persevering with to reassess their positions and affiliations, seeming to prefer the AR model.
“Whether these actions are pushed by regulatory pressures, operational preferences, or strategic ambitions stays open to interpretation. From conversations inside the occupation, there seems to be a rising curiosity in fashions that provide flexibility and management.”
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