The AdviserTech Show moneyinfo

In this episode of the Adviser Tech Show, moneyinfo’s Managing Director Tessa Lee engages in a captivating conversation with Dan McMahon, the Head of Technology and Innovation at Hyman Robertson Personal Wealth.
“The only way you’re going to close the advice gap is if tech is doing more and more of the heavy lifting, so that’s really my mission as head of tech in this space”, Dan shares his unconventional journey from pension administration to becoming a tech and innovation leader, and the vision he has that goes along with it.
Dan and Tessa delve into the challenges of data management in pension administration, and both recognise the familiarity of too much paperwork and administration-heavy processes in both of their industries. This leads the discussion on to the significance of integration, both within the tech ecosystem and with partners, emphasising the industry's gradual shift towards streamlined processes.
The episode explores moneyinfo’s role in automating workflows, enhancing the client onboarding experience, and facilitating straight-through processing. Dan emphasises the importance of technology in empowering advisers and creating efficiencies, showcasing the journey from manual processes to digital fact-finding and beyond.
The conversation takes an exciting turn as they touch upon the growing role of artificial intelligence in the financial advisory space. Dan shares insights into their exploratory work with Microsoft's open AI service, envisioning AI as a tool to support advisers in document navigation, compliance checks, and client interactions.
Don't miss out on this insightful episode of The AdviserTech Show! Stay tuned for more engaging conversations at the intersection of finance and technology!

In this episode of The AdviserTech Show, Tessa Lee, the Managing Director of moneyinfo, sits down with Henry Cobb, Founder and Head of Research at Elston Consulting, for an insightful exploration of the financial services industry.
Henry unfolds his journey from a guide analyst at Schroders to the visionary founder of Elston Consulting in 2012. Motivated by anticipated regulatory changes such as RDR and Auto Enrolment, Henry's mission was clear: to craft low-cost multi-asset investment solutions empowering advisers to adeptly navigate industry shifts.
Elston Consulting operates at the core of portfolios, funds, and indices. Henry details Elston’s  commitment to empowering advisers, emphasising not just outsourcing but insourcing. This unique approach ensures advisers retain strategic control, brand integrity, and compliance with evolving regulations.
Tessa and Henry delve into the cultural changing landscape within the industry, stressing the significance of active thinking regarding asset location. They explore Elston's pivotal role in helping advisers document and evidence their value statements in harmony with regulatory changes. Henry unravels Elston Consulting's mission, showcasing success stories of aiding larger advice firms in scaling up their propositions.
Don't miss out on this insightful episode of The AdviserTech Show! Tune in for an enriching discussion that unveils the past, present, and future of this dynamic industry.

How does Matt Jeffery know so much about the things that keep advisers awake at night?
Being a Senior Manager at Alpha FMC, Matt has a broad knowledge of the pressing challenges that financial advisers face day-to-day. In this insightful episode of The AdviserTech Show, Matt and Tessa delve into the intricacies of adviser tech, highlighting transformative strategies and insights that not only address current industry concerns but also shed light on the ways advisers can improve their sleep.
Joking aside, Alpha FMC is a leading global provider of specialist consultancy services to the financial services industry. Matt describes the journey how he got to be Senior Manager, and delves into the wealth of knowledge that has formed his unique insights and understanding of being the adviser’s adviser.
The conversation delves into Alpha FMC's role as a full-service management consultancy, addressing strategies, client experiences, and technology transformations. They hit on the industry's tech challenges, discussing integrations, and Tessa highlights the industry's momentum towards solving problems collaboratively.
...And what is a modern podcast without mentioning AI and machine learning?
Matt and Tessa discuss the power of data analytics, improving compliance, and suitability report creation.
A Friday the 13th conversation without mishaps!
Dive into this engaging episode for more insights on the evolving tech landscape in financial advice.

Ruth Handcock, CEO of Octopus Money, takes the spotlight in an enlightening episode of The AdviserTech Show. Ruth talks to moneyinfo’s Managing Director, Tessa Lee, about her diverse experience, including running Octopus Investments and setting up a challenger bank. She also mentions the prevailing issue of the advice gap within the financial sector, and Octopus Money's mission to provide access to financial help and guidance for everyone, particularly partnering with employers.
Ruth's insights shed light on the evolving landscape of financial advice, offering valuable perspectives on how to navigate the changing industry. Her extensive experience, including running Octopus Investments and establishing a challenger bank, provides a unique and seasoned viewpoint that can help you stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment.
Ruth highlights the reality: traditional financial advisory services predominantly serve those with substantial assets, leaving a significant portion of the UK population underserved. Octopus Money is committed to rewriting this narrative. They've pioneered a distinctive approach that harmonises technology and guidance, making financial assistance accessible to everyone. Their strategic alliance with employers is a critical component of this mission.
Tune in to this episode of The AdviserTech Show to gather knowledge on the latest industry trends, understand Ruth’s vision for the future of financial advice, and gain valuable insights into how to improve your services.

Cathi Harrison, CEO of the Verve Group joins moneyinfo’s Managing Director, Tessa Lee on the first episode of Season 3 of The AdviserTech Show. Cathi shares her journey in the financial services industry, a path she found when her curiosity was piqued by a friend's inheritance and the need for financial advice. Despite not initially studying finance, Cathi started her career as an administrator at a financial advice firm in 2005. Over the years, she evolved into a paraplanner and eventually ventured into entrepreneurship, founding multiple businesses.
Cathi’s journey led to the creation of the Verve Group, a consolidation of various businesses, each offering essential support to financial advisers. She discusses the challenges and complexities of merging these entities into a unified organisation, highlighting the importance of shared technology and streamlined processes. The result is a “one-stop shop” for advice firms, providing comprehensive support for businesses of all shapes and sizes.
Cathi also emphasises the evolving nature of the financial services industry, where firms are increasingly adopting a business-first approach, focusing on infrastructure, operations, and profitability. She believes that embracing change and innovation is essential in this dynamic environment.
Beyond her role at the Verve Group, Cathi discusses her involvement with the Verve Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation aimed at promoting careers in financial planning and advising. She acknowledges the need for greater awareness of these career paths and the benefits they offer, especially among young professionals and career changers.
In closing, Cathi offers insights and encouragement for individuals looking to enter the financial services industry or embark on an entrepreneurial journey. Both Cathi & our moneyinfo MD Tessa Lee emphasise the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone in the industry, particularly women and underrepresented groups. Cathi believes in challenging the status quo and working collectively to build a more diverse and innovative financial sector.
This podcast episode provides valuable insights into Cathi Harrison's inspiring journey, the evolution of the Verve Group, and the changing landscape of the financial services industry.

Adam Leci and Sandra Paul from Prestwood Software discuss how different technologies have made their way into the financial sector, as well as how consumers generally expect free technology to be adopted and to make things easier, rather than be expensive and complicated.
Sandra elaborates on how gradually over time, the demand for Advisers to learn new technologies has increased. For example after Covid, tech was used a lot more for advisers to communicate with clients and bring them into the planning process, and Prestwood was also setting up user groups and webinars during and after Covid to train advisers on how to use Zoom, DocuSign, and Document sharing.
Adam Leci is a Technical Consultant and writes blogs and articles for Prestwood, whilst Sandra Paul is a PR and Communications expert who specialises in PR and marketing for Prestwood. Prestwood have been offering lifelong Cashflow modelling software since 1984, which gives Adam and Sandra a unique insight into the extent of how far financial software has evolved since its conception.
Tessa Lee, Managing Director at moneyinfo spoke to Adam and Sandra on how tech can drive efficiencies with reporting and communication processes, and why you should get over your fears and embrace technological adoption.