The cross-institutional project on student advising highlights a sector-wide shift in UK higher education, where advising is becoming central to student success rather than a peripheral support function, driven by regulatory pressures, financial constraints and evolving student expectations. Effective models increasingly emphasise proactive, data-informed outreach—intervening early based on engagement patterns—while recognising that data is only valuable when combined with clear institutional purpose, staff capacity and a coherent advising philosophy. The findings also stress the importance of clarity, consistency and defined baseline provision, particularly in complex or devolved institutions, alongside a growing expectation that advising must demonstrate measurable impact through ongoing evaluation. Despite this move towards systems, metrics and professionalisation, the project underscores that advising remains fundamentally relational, relying on trust, emotional engagement and meaningful staff–student interactions as the foundation for successful outcomes.