The Openwork Partnership, one of the UK's largest adviser networks, has selected Fintel’s Plannr and Mortgage Brain as core technology partners as part of the network’s technology transformation drive.
Cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and adviser operating system Plannr will provide the central CRM and adviser operating system underpinning Openwork’s new technology suite.
Mortgage Brain, which was acquired by Fintel last month, will power mortgage sourcing via integration with Plannr, providing the network’s advisers with a single solution.
The network’s transformation programme has seen Plannr, along with Octopus-owned platform Seccl, provide the foundation for a connected technology suite, incorporating over 100 additional technology providers.
An API-first approach to technology architecture also provides a foundation for the integration of emerging AI capabilities. An API is a software bridge that allows two or more sets of technology to talk to each other and share data without exposing their internal code.
Rob Askham, chief commercial officer at The Openwork Partnership, said he believes its new custom-built technology will be the best on the market.
He said: “By bringing together best-of-breed technology around a connected adviser experience, we’re creating something that we believe will set a new benchmark for financial advice technology in the UK.”
Openwork has been going through a period of change over the past 18 months.
It had a rocky start to the year as the network set aside £2.4m for ongoing advice provision in January, according to its financial statements.
It said it was aware of some instances where its customers had not received the, ‘level of service they should expect’ following an internal review, and that it is working to identify those affected.
However, despite the provision, Openwork said its profit before tax doubled to £3.9m in 2025.
Last May, private equity investor Bain Capital took a £120m stake in the adviser network, securing a 30% share in the firm. Since the investment from Bain Capital, Openwork has acquired network member and 100-adviser firm Northern-Ireland headquartered Milecross.
Openwork also agreed a new debt facility with Santander earlier this year to provide an expanded £35m revolving credit facility to accelerate its adviser succession and renewal programmes.
Since being set up in 2005, Openwork has grown to a network of more than 4,800 advisers. Since 2018, Openwork has been 90% owned by more than 1,300 partners, which includes the principals of the network’s 860 advice firms.