It’s a special episode of The WealthTech Insider as the Finura girls take over the podcast for the very first time! Join host Danni Le Grande as she’s joined by powerhouse colleagues Helena Klokova and Dipal Khatri to dive into the often-overlooked heroes of financial advice firms—the back and middle office teams.

From navigating tech frustrations to uncovering inefficiencies, we discuss real challenges these teams face, why firms are still stuck in manual processes, and what the data from our tech health benchmarking tells us about the future of automation in financial services. Are we embracing change or just drowning in spreadsheets? Plus, we share our own experiences (and frustrations!) with tech adoption, integrations, and the myths of automation.

This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and some hard truths about the state of wealth tech. Tune in for a fresh, unfiltered take on what’s working, what’s broken, and how firms can truly level up their operational game.

Takeaways:
✅ Why back and middle office teams are the industry’s unsung heroes
✅ The struggle with CRMs, automation, and workflow integration
✅ Why tech adoption isn’t just about the software—it’s about strategy
✅ The real ROI of taking the time to get your tech stack right

🔗 Don't forget to check out our Tech Health Benchmarking Survey at www.finuragroup.com to see how your business stacks up!

In this episode of The WealthTech Insider, host Danni Le Grande sits down with Peter Worn, Joint Managing Director at Finura Group, to challenge the conventional reliance on PowerPoint presentations in the corporate world. They explore how PowerPoint, while a useful tool, can often become a productivity drain and stifle genuine conversation. Drawing from personal experiences and industry insights, Danni and Peter discuss alternative methods to enhance storytelling, improve meeting engagement, and boost overall productivity. Tune in to discover how ditching the deck might just be the key to more effective communication in your business.

In this episode of The WealthTech Insider, Danni Le Grande and Peter Worn dive into one of the biggest challenges in AI adoption: Should large companies try to integrate AI into their existing businesses, or would they be better off starting fresh?

With a staggering failure rate for digital transformation projects, companies face an uphill battle retrofitting AI into old systems. Peter breaks down the "Retrofit Tax", explaining why AI implementation is about more than just technology—it’s about overcoming legacy systems, organisational resistance, and cultural inertia.

We explore lessons from IBM, Microsoft, and Salesforce, discuss the rise of AI-native startups, and debate whether the best strategy for big business is to compete with itself before someone else does.

🔹 Why do most digital transformation projects fail?
🔹 What makes AI-native startups so much more agile?
🔹 Can large companies truly rebuild themselves with an AI-first culture?
🔹 And is AI a threat to jobs—or just a trigger for smarter business models?

It’s a bold discussion with real-world implications for business leaders, innovators, and investors navigating the AI revolution.

📩 Subscribe to Pete’s 5-Minute Friday insights at finuragroup.com.
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode!

In this second part of our deep dive into compliance, host Danni Le Grande is joined again by Selin Ertac from Tangelo Advice Consulting to tackle Tangelo's next two critical pillars: Process and governance. While WealthTech plays a crucial role in driving efficiency, today’s discussion focuses on why technology alone isn’t the solution—and how businesses must first get their processes and governance right to truly unlock its potential.

They explore:
✅ The biggest compliance risks of overcomplicated processes
✅ Why human oversight is still essential in an AI-driven world
✅ How to use process mapping to remove inefficiencies
✅ The importance of risk management & business oversight

If you're looking to streamline operations, enhance compliance culture, and build a scalable advice business, this episode is packed with practical strategies. Plus, don’t miss insights on Tangelo’s Gap Analysis and Finura Group’s Technology Health Check—essential tools to help you optimise your firm's efficiency.

In this episode of The WealthTech Insider, host Danni Le Grande sits down with Mark Zaglas, CEO of Encore Advisory Group, to explore the key challenges and strategies financial advisory firms must embrace to unlock scalable growth. They dive into why many Advisers have lost focus on sales and marketing, the importance of a structured growth strategy, and how technology can be leveraged to enhance client engagement.

Mark shares insights on overcoming the fear of marketing, clarifying your value proposition, and why social media remains an underutilised tool in the industry. They also discuss the significance of intergenerational wealth transfer, identifying your niche, and the myth of organic growth.

If you're looking to build a sustainable and scalable financial advice business, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you refine your approach and invest in long-term success.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how to reignite your sales and marketing engine and take your Advice Business to the next level!

In this episode of The WealthTech Insider, host Danni Le Grande and Peter Worn dive into the evolving role of AI in financial services. They explore the concept of the ‘Value Trap’—where AI has the power to revolutionise industries but may struggle to generate sustainable profits.

From investment risks and industry adoption to the future of AI as a financial utility, Danni and Peter unpack the realities of AI’s role in WealthTech. They discuss how financial firms are navigating this landscape, the importance of responsible AI usage, and whether AI’s profitability challenge mirrors the airline industry’s struggles.

With insights from the Finura Group, this episode tackles the burning question: Will AI make anyone rich, or is it just another overhyped innovation?

Key topics:

• The AI Value Trap: Can AI be both transformative and profitable?
• Investing in AI: Opportunities vs. risks.
• AI adoption in financial services—where do firms stand?
• AI as a utility: How should businesses think about it?
• Regulation, responsibility, and the future of AI in finance.

Join us for a deep dive into the realities of AI in WealthTech!

In this episode of The WealthTech Insider, host Danni Le Grande sits down with compliance expert Selin Ertac to explore the critical role of people, policy, and technology in ensuring effective compliance within wealth management. They dive into the importance of role clarity, the challenges of resistance to change, and how technology can streamline compliance processes. From crafting meaningful policies to integrating compliance into business operations, this conversation highlights the strategies firms can use to enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and foster a culture of compliance.

Tune in for key insights on simplifying compliance, leveraging technology, and ensuring your team is equipped to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. Don’t miss Part 1 of this insightful two-part series!

In this episode of WealthTech Insider, hosts Danni Le Grande and Peter Worn discuss their predictions for the financial services and WealthTech landscape in 2025. They explore key themes such as the challenges faced by advice tech, the shift towards platform monogamy, the insourcing of technology by industry super funds, the impact of private equity on wealth management, the rise of AI services, and the growing importance of podcasts and YouTube in advisor marketing. The conversation culminates in a discussion about the transformative potential of AI agents in the industry.

Chapters

00:00 2025 Predictions Overview

01:35 Change Management Challenges in WealthTech

03:32 Advice Tech's Margin Squeeze

06:44 The Shift to Platform Monogamy

12:45 Industry Super Funds and In-House Tech

17:29 Private Equity's Impact on Advice Tech

24:18 The Technology Gap in Financial Advisory

30:26 AI Services: The Future of Financial Technology

41:18 The Rise of Podcasts and YouTube in Marketing

44:42 Transformative AI Agents in Business