Two thirds (66%) of Financial Planners have returned to the office, according to the survey commissioned by insurance provider Zurich.

An additional 20% of Financial Planners said they are planning on meeting clients face to face soon, and 22% were planning a return to the office with no firm date yet set.

Only one in ten (13%) of those surveyed by the insurer said they have no plans to return to face to face meetings.

Almost a quarter (23%) of Financial Planners have resumed face to face meetings with providers, with 65% looking to resume provider meetings soon.

Three quarters (73%) said they are comfortable returning to industry events and conferences later this year with the remaining 26% not yet ready. 

Michele Golunska, CEO at Sesame Bankhall Group, said: “We’re keen to support people back into the office and out meeting clients in person where that’s preferred.  What the pandemic has taught us is that we can be flexible and offer customers more choice.  Being able to do things remotely has provided flexibility for our staff, members, and their clients, and some will want to continue in a similar vein.  It’s about offering choice and striking the right balance.”

Zurich surveyed 56 Financial Planners between 5 and 19 July.

Louise Colley, director of Zurich’s Retail Protection business, said: “For many of us, face to face contact with colleagues and advisers is absolutely invaluable, and it’s great to see that advisers are looking to support this where customers want it.”