Fintel plc (AIM: FNTL), a leading provider of technology, data and business support services to the UK retail financial services sector, has announced that its Plannr platform and recently acquired Mortgage Brain have been selected as central technology partners for The Openwork Partnership's major technology transformation programme. The Openwork Partnership is one of the UK's largest financial advice networks, supporting nearly 5,000 advisers across more than 800 firms. The contract represents what Fintel's CEO Matt Timmins described as "a seminal moment" for the business, with Plannr serving as the core CRM and adviser operating system underpinning Openwork's new technology suite.

Key Points

  • Fintel plc (AIM: FNTL) is a leading UK provider of technology, data and business support services to the retail financial services sector
  • Plannr and Mortgage Brain selected as core technology partners for The Openwork Partnership's enterprise technology transformation programme
  • The Openwork Partnership supports nearly 5,000 advisers across more than 800 firms, including Openwork, 2plan and Owl Financial; Openwork anticipates the new suite will save advisers up to 60 minutes per client case
  • Investors will be watching for further enterprise contract wins as Fintel's Unity proposition scales following last month's acquisition of Mortgage Brain

Plannr Named Central CRM and Operating System for Openwork's Technology Transformation

At the heart of the contract is Plannr, described by Fintel as the core of its Unity proposition and a next-generation operating system for financial advice businesses. Under the arrangement, Plannr will provide the central CRM and adviser operating system for Openwork's new technology suite, which the announcement states is built on a best-of-breed approach incorporating more than 100 additional technology providers. Seccl has also been named as a foundation partner alongside Plannr. Mortgage Brain, acquired by Fintel last month, will power mortgage sourcing through deep integration with Plannr, offering Openwork advisers a unified solution spanning mortgage, wealth and protection advice.

Openwork Projects Up to 60 Minutes Saved Per Client Case Through Unified Advice Journeys

The Openwork Partnership anticipates the new technology suite will save advisers up to 60 minutes per client case, supported by unified advice journeys, configurable workflows and reduced duplication of data entry. The programme is designed to serve advisers, paraplanners, administrators and business owners, addressing what the announcement identifies as a longstanding challenge: disconnected systems, fragmented data and manual processes. The suite also plans to introduce enhanced client engagement capabilities, automated controls and opportunities to integrate artificial intelligence to improve productivity and operational efficiency, according to the disclosure.

Plannr's API-First Architecture Central to Fintel's Enterprise-Scale Ambitions

Fintel positions Plannr's modern, API-first architecture as a key competitive differentiator, stating in the announcement that "no other system in the market can match Plannr for connectivity and workflow." Unlike generic enterprise CRM platforms adapted for financial advice, Plannr was purpose-built for the sector. Its open architecture is designed to support complex integrations and configurable business processes, while enabling the integration of emerging AI capabilities. Gareth Thompson, CTO of Plannr, stated the platform is built around "openness, flexibility and interoperability," allowing multiple technology providers to be connected within a consistent adviser experience.

Contract Signals Growing Enterprise Scale for Fintel's Software Division

The Openwork contract represents a significant milestone for Plannr's development as a technology partner, with the announcement noting its reach now extends from individual advisers through to national advice organisations and networks. Fintel's broader portfolio includes established brands such as Defaqto, Simplybiz and threesixty, serving thousands of intermediary businesses and hundreds of financial institutions. Investors may be watching whether this enterprise-scale contract accelerates further adoption of the Unity proposition and validates Fintel's strategy of unifying adviser technology applications under a single, AI-augmented operating model. The contract value was not disclosed in the announcement.