As individuals, households and businesses readjust and look ahead to a new era and recovery, demand for financial advice is up by almost a quarter. This is according to the deVere Group, which operates in 100 countries worldwide. The firm says that the number of inquiries from new clients was up  by 24% in April, compared to the previous month.

Nigel Green, the founder and CEO of deVere Group, observes: “Disruption and dislocation have hit entire economies and businesses of all sizes and in all sectors.

“This has had a very real and very immediate impact on the finances of individuals, households and businesses around the world.

“Suddenly, unexpectedly, many have realized that they didn’t have sufficient money behind them, they didn’t have contingency plans.

“This, as they know, could have consequences for the lifestyles and life opportunities of themselves and loved ones and, for those in business, for the long-term sustainability of their firm.

“With financial matters back in sharp focus, for many, ‘I should have’ becomes ‘I need to have.’