Narrowing the confidence gap: helping women turn financial intent into action

Canaccord Wealth’s Investment Director, Alice Wright, featured in MoneyWeek recently to discuss Canaccord’s own research on women and investing. The study, conducted on behalf of Canaccord,^* highlights a growing disconnect: women are increasingly managing their finances, yet many still lack confidence when making decisions.

Alice explains how this confidence gap can affect financial outcomes. 

“Engagement is rising – women are saving, investing, and seeking advice – but confidence isn’t keeping pace,” Alice says. 

“Without confidence, people may delay decisions, avoid conversations about money, or miss opportunities, even when they have the resources to act.”

Key findings from the research include:

• One in four women regularly avoid financial planning altogether
• 42% spend more time worrying about financial admin than actually doing it
• Only 18% feel calm and in control of their finances
• Women are half as likely as men to meet regularly with a financial adviser (20% vs 40%).

Alice advises reframing financial planning as a form of self-care. “Most financial tasks take less time than people imagine and starting is often simpler than expected. By taking small, deliberate steps, women can build confidence and long-term outcomes.”

Practical steps include:

• Consolidating investments into accessible accounts such as ISAs
• Reviewing pensions and ensuring contributions are maximised
• Speaking to a trusted adviser to create a plan tailored to personal goals.

The research underscores a positive trend: nearly three-quarters of women (72%) are now actively managing their finances. Yet confidence gaps remain and addressing them early can help ensure financial decisions lead to better long-term outcomes.

Read the full MoneyWeek coverage of our research here.

 

^{* Consumer research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Canaccord from 25th June 2025 to 3rd July 2025. A nationally representative sample of 2345 adults across the UK participated in the survey, including a sample of 500 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).}