Better Together – new data reveals how IFAs thrive as part of a network

Press release:  Long-term IFA success is built on community, infrastructure and hands-on support, according to new data released by ValidPath, the network for Independent Financial Advisers.

The internal data reveals that on average, firms within the ValidPath network outperform expectations, grow more quickly and build long-term resilience, demonstrating how being part of a supportive network enables firms to thrive.

ValidPath’s latest analysis shows that new IFA Members typically generate their first commission within six weeks of receiving their Authority to Advise (ATA), with almost half (46%) doing so within just four weeks.

Firms that have been within the ValidPath network since 2023 have achieved, on average, 112% of their annual projection by their second year, with established firms* then going on to record year-on-year commission growth of 14.22% on average.

The data also shows that in a market where IFAs have increasing choice and mobility, they are committed to being part of a network. *More than half (54%) of firms that were active in 2016 remain ValidPath Members today, while one in eight (13%) are still Members more than 20 years later.

According to ValidPath, hands-on, personal support is key to building a community of IFAs. In 2025 alone, it delivered over 600 business support meetings, held 10 regional events, and hosted 124 training sessions for Members.

This success of this collaborative approach is not only reflected in Member growth, but also in their feedback, with 94% of Members saying they would recommend ValidPath.

To celebrate the importance of support and community, ValidPath is launching Better Together, a new campaign and content series which highlights the huge advantages of joining a community of like-minded IFA firms.

Tim Riseborough, Group Operations Director at ValidPath said: “A common myth in financial advice is that independence means self-sufficiency, or that you can’t be truly independent inside a network. In reality, the most resilientand successful independent firms are those embedded in strong networks that provide structure, expertise and shared learning, while preserving autonomy".

“At a time when IFAs have more choice than ever, our long-standing Member relationships show that when firms find a network that genuinely supports growth, compliance and community, they stay".

“Amid consolidation and increasing regulatory pressure, IFAs are redefining what ‘independent’ really means. Rather than choosing between freedom and support, advisers are gravitating towards models that offer both. Better Together reflects how IFA businesses can thrive in a network that is authentically independent”.