The WealthTech Insider

Featuring a new Finura Client: Verse WealthWhat happens when you throw out the traditional financial advice playbook — but keep the discipline, compliance and rigour that actually protects clients?In this episode of WealthTech Insider, Peter Worn sits down with Corey Wastle, founder of Verse Wealth, one of Australia’s most quietly radical advice firms. Corey didn’t come up through the usual financial-planning ranks. He came from marketing, brand and customer experience — and he used that lens to design Verse from a blank page.Together they unpack how Verse was built differently from day one:How technology isn’t used to automate advice — but to deepen human connectionWhy organic growth beats aggressive scaling in a trust-based businessAnd how Verse created a new role — the Client Experience Manager (CXM) — to bridge the gap between compliance, advisers and clientsThis isn’t a story about disruption for disruption’s sake.It’s about what modern financial advice looks like when it’s designed properly — from culture and technology to client experience and long-term trust.If you’re building, running or investing in an advice business, this episode is a glimpse into what the next generation of firms will look like.

A short, informal welcome back to 2026. Danni and Pete catch up after the break and run through what’s coming up on The WealthTech Insider this year. #finuragroup #wealthtech #technology #peterworn #dannilegrande

In this final episode for 2025, Danni and Pete cut through the noise to review the trends that actually mattered. We look back at our 2025 Predictions with a critical eye—discussing why the AI hype has cooled into "AI fatigue" and why the industry is finally embracing Platform Monogamy.We also explore the rise of "Boring by Design" AI agents , the concept of keeping a "human on the hook" for compliance , and why the best tech strategy for many firms might just be simplification.In this episode:The Prediction Scorecard: Assessing our calls on advice tech R&D, PE entry and Industry Super insourcing.The AI Reality: Why we’re seeing a shift from flashy tools to practical, ring-fenced agents for file notes and workflows.Tech Breakups: Why firms are realising that moving CRMs is rarely the silver bullet they hope for.Gadget Geek-Out: From the Mac Mini win to the disastrous Humane AI pin, plus the weird world of AI pet translators.Diary of a CEO Episode with Steven Bartlett and Tristan Harris:-https://doac-perks.com/r/GhRQ03uolQ?e=BFU1OCkhBwo#stevenbartlett #doac #tristanharrisTake the Technology Healthcheck here:-https://technologyhealth.scoreapp.com/#peterworn #dannilegrande #finuragroup

Harvey AI has gone from newborn startup to an $8 billion juggernaut in just 31 months. But behind the headlines sit harder questions: opaque pricing, patchy adoption, defensive founders, and a conservative profession wrestling with risk.Danni and Pete cut through the noise to explore what this means for financial advice firms — from realistic ROI to cautious experimentation and the increasing need for human oversight. Less hype, more sense-checking, and a reminder that AI is useful… but it’s not magic.#technology #peterworn #dannilegrande #finuragroup

In this special announcement episode, Danni and Pete sit down to talk about the next stage of Finura's growth plans. Finura is formally separating its consulting and software arms into two businesses — Finura Services and Finura Digital — each with its own purpose, priorities and rhythm.They walk through why the change matters, how it strengthens both sides of the business, and what it means for advice firms working with Finura today (in short: nothing disruptive, entirely BAU). Pete also shares the thinking behind bringing in a strategic investor for the software business. And together, they explore how consulting and software will continue to support each other.A candid conversation from the inside of our business. And how we see the next phase of building an enduring great company.#peterworn #finuragroup #dannilegrande #technology

Pete and Danni unpack the wild rise of Harvey.AI — thelegal-tech darling that raised US $865 million in just 31 months and hit a US $5 billion valuation. They trace how a Reddit side-project turned into a Silicon Valley feeding frenzy, and ask whether this is genius or a bubble waiting to burst.The chat veers from law-firm FOMO and elite-bait marketingto what it all means for financial-advice tech, touching on California’s new AI laws, the environmental cost of compute, and why “boring by design” might actually be the smartest strategy in AI adoption.Expect sharp numbers, dry humour, and a few hard questionsfor every adviser thinking of hitching their tech stack to the next shiny AI promise.#peterworn #dannilegrande #financialadvice #wealthtechTake our Technology Health Check here:-https://technologyhealth.scoreapp.com/

In this episode, Peter Worn sits down with Matthew Vandermeer from Leading Teams to unpack what makes teams—and leaders—great. The conversation explores how the financial services industry is evolving, why culture matters as much as strategy, and how technology can either strengthen or fracture team dynamics if not led with clarity.Matthew shares lessons from his experience building high-performing teams and draws an unlikely but powerful parallel with the Brisbane Lions’ return to glory—how clear vision, strong leadership, and trust in the process can turn a struggling side into a winning organisation.This episode is a deep dive into the mechanics of culture, feedback, and leadership—and a reminder that great businesses, like great footy clubs, are built from the inside out.Links: https://www.leadingteams.net.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattvanders/💡 Key TakeawaysThe advice industry is changing—fewer advisers, but greater demand for quality advice.Culture and mechanics must work hand-in-hand; one without the other won’t scale.Leaders set the tone through daily actions, not slogans.Feedback should be part of the rhythm, not reserved for when things go wrong.Recruit for cultural fit first, operational skill second.Trust is the foundation for open communication and accountability.Technology should enhance, not replace human connection.Great culture drives performance, retention, and satisfaction.Regular reviews and honest conversations keep teams improving.Like the Brisbane Lions, success comes from clarity, cohesion, and belief in the system.Chapter List: Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background of Matthew Vandermeer03:12 Current State of the Industry06:06 Leading Teams: Mission and Approach11:55 Culture vs. Mechanics in Teams17:35 Defining and Building Culture23:13 The Role of Leadership in Culture24:57 Leadership and Culture in Sports and Business29:20 Modeling, Rewarding, and Challenging Behavior34:14 Overcoming Resistance to Change38:15 Recruiting for Success: Mechanics vs. Dynamics44:40 Feedback and Communication in a Tech-Driven World

Recorded Live from the Netwealth Accelerate Summit. Pete & Danni spend time with Sophie Firminger from Netwealth unpacking a real life cast study of a tech project which went horribly wrong. 00:00 Introduction to Advice Tech Challenges01:09 Real-Life Tech Implementation Disasters03:43 Evaluating Technology Solutions06:14 The Importance of Team Involvement09:07 Red Flags in Tech Selection11:49 Managing Project Risks and Leadership Involvement14:50 Governance Failures in Tech Projects17:32 Change Management and Team Morale20:29 Private Equity and Tech Integration23:17 Lessons Learned from Tech Failures25:57 Practical Steps for Successful Tech Implementation27:16 finura_group outro (1).mp3

Danni Le Grande and Peter Worn put their 2025 predictions under the microscope. From adviser numbers and platform monogamy to AI agents and YouTube marketing, they track the wins, the misses, and what’s still up for grabs.Expect sharp takes on margin squeeze in AdviceTech, private equity’s reshaping of the landscape, and why industry funds are still dragging their feet on tech. Plus: are AI “virtual team members” hype or reality?

Come behind the scenes and listen to one of Peter's live presentations, including some controversial audience Q&A. It's unfiltered, unedited. Chapters: 00:00 The Future of AI in Healthcare and Financial Advice19:10 Investing in AI: Short-Term Strategies20:55 Valuations and Market Trends in AI23:13 Consumer Adoption of AI Technologies26:33 Training and Preparing for AI Integration28:47 The Importance of AI Strategy in Business32:21 AI's Impact on Financial Services33:06 Q&A: Addressing AI Concerns and Misconceptions

In our first-ever live recording of The WealthTech Insider, Danni Le Grande and Peter Worn hit the stage at the IRESS WealthTech Summit to revisit — and ruthlessly score — the predictions we made for advice tech in 2025.Recorded in front of a room full of industry pros (and without the safety net of a mute button), we dive into what’s tracking, what’s tanking, and what’s surprised us most about the year so far.We cover:Why AdviceTech feels stuck in neutral — and whether adviser tech fatigue is realThe slow but steady rise of platform monogamyWhy industry super is scrambling to fix the member experience (and stop outsourcing accountability)What private equity really wants from advice firms (hint: it’s not just scale)AI everywhere — and the caution tape that should come with itWhy some advice firms are overspending on enterprise tech they don’t needPlus: how podcasts and YouTube quietly became advice firms’ secret marketing weaponExpect candid takes, live banter, and some good old-fashioned “we called it” moments.

In this episode, Peter Worn sits down with Paul Feeney, CEO & Co-Founder of Otivo, to thrash out one of the biggest debates in financial advice right now: Can AI deliver safe and useful guidance, or will ChatGPT-style tools create more risk than reward?We unpack the rise of consumer-led AI, the dangers of unfiltered “DIY advice,” and how Otivo is tackling the challenge head-on with an AI chat assistant built for real people, not experiments.If you care about the future of advice, compliance, and keeping technology on the rails, this conversation will give you a front-row seat to where the industry is heading.Chapters:Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI in Financial Advice02:23 Paul Feeney's Journey and Ativo's Genesis04:39 The Evolution of Ativo and Its Mission08:23 User Experience and Simplifying Financial Advice11:24 The Role of AI in Financial Advice14:07 Consumer Interaction with AI for Financial Guidance17:43 The Future of AI in Personal Finance20:52 Implementing AI in Financial Services26:04 AI-Driven Compliance and Human Oversight26:42 The Role of AI in Financial Advice27:52 Personalised Financial Insights through AI29:17 User Experience and Engagement in Financial Platforms31:02 The Future of Financial Advice: AI and Human Interaction32:42 Proactive Engagement with Superannuation Funds34:59 The Importance of Personal Advice in Superannuation36:53 Building Trust through Personalised Financial Advice38:17 The Need for Digital Tools in Financial Advice40:57 Accessibility and Inclusivity in Financial Services42:46 The Future of Financial Advice: Digital First Solutions

We all love a shiny new system — but what happens after the demo? In this candid episode, Danni Le Grande is joined by Selin Ertac from Tangelo Advice Consulting to unpack the all-too-common disconnect between technology rollouts and the people expected to make them work.From war stories of disengaged teams and overcooked implementations, to practical strategies for meaningful, human-first change management — this is a must-listen for anyone tired of throwing good tech at bad processes.They dive into:Why change fatigue derails even the best softwareThe underestimated power of clear processes and role definitionThe sneaky pitfalls of “just one more feature” thinkingThis one’s for the Ops Leads, Paraplanners, Practice Managers — and the Firm Leaders who want tech to stick.Danni Le GrandeSelin ErtacFinura Group: https://finuragroup.com/

This week on The WealthTech Insider, Danni and Pete dive into the AI hype cycle — and why the gap between flashy announcements and real-world impact matters more than ever for advice firms and tech providers.Using Apple’s recent WWDC as a launchpad, they explore what happens when expectations soar and delivery stumbles — and what smaller players can learn from it. From voice assistants that still don’t listen, to CRMs that try too hard, it’s a candid conversation about usability, adoption, and the actual value of AI in advice.Plus, they unpack fresh insights from the latest Technology Health Check survey:What are firms really expecting from AI? Are they prepared for it? And is “just being useful” enough?In this episode:Why delivering less (but better) wins in advice techWhat your firm’s AI readiness really looks likeWhy invisible, intuitive tools beat bold but baffling onesWhat advice firms should expect — and ask — from their softwareHow to avoid building features no one asked forWhether you’re building tech or buying it, this one’s packed with practical insights, a few laughs, and a healthy dose of perspective.https://finuragroup.com/tech-health-check/Peter WornDanni Le GrandeFinura Group

Why do smart, successful business owners keep making tech decisions that come back to bite them? Danni and Pete unpack it all — from submarines driven by PlayStation controllers to advice firms stuck with expensive systems no one uses.In this episode:*The surprising parallels between the OceanGate tragedy and everyday tech decisions in advice practices*The true cost of chasing shiny tools — from wasted fees to worn-down teams*How small missteps — like skipping due diligence or underestimating change fatigue — quietly snowball into major headaches*And a few laughs along the way about F1 steering wheels, hot yoga, and why you might want to leave software picks to someone other than your mates.Whether you’re knee-deep in a new platform rollout or just wondering if your tech stack could use a rethink, this one’s packed with candid stories, fresh perspectives, and tips to help you steer clear of the avoidable disasters.https://finuragroup.com/tech-health-check/Danni Le GrandePeter WornFinura Group

In Part II of our founder series, Peter Worn and Aron Satchell get brutally honest about building software in the wealth management space. They reveal the millions they're investing in their advice generation platform, why they deliberately avoid hiring salespeople, and their contrarian take on the AI revolution sweeping FinTech.What You'll Learn:The hidden costs of building compliant financial software (spoiler: it's way more than you think)Why most AI-powered advice tools are solving the wrong problemTheir unique approach to product-led growth without a sales teamThe technical reality behind "AI that writes SOAs in minutes"How they're planning for the post-DBFO advice landscapePerfect for: FinTech founders, wealth management professionals, anyone building B2B software in regulated industries, and those curious about the real challenges of startup life beyond the Silicon Valley hype.This isn't your typical "we raised $X million" startup story – it's an unfiltered look at building sustainable software businesses in complex, regulated markets.www.finuragroup.comwww.advicedesigner.com

The unfiltered origin story of Finura co-founders Peter Worn and Aron Satchell. From meeting as strangers in a corporate turnaround to building two businesses during a pandemic, this is the real story behind their decade-long partnership, including the sacrifices, the near-misses, and the people who helped them along the way.

In this episode, Peter Worn speaks with Tony Stephens from Business Health about the challenges faced by small business owners in the financial advisory industry. They discuss the importance of practice management, the need for investment in technology, and the significance of client feedback. Tony shares insights on key metrics for success and offers advice on business planning for the upcoming financial year. The conversation concludes with optimistic predictions for the future of the industry, emphasising the potential for small businesses to thrive.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Business Health and Tony Stephens04:33 The Challenges of Small Business Owners09:01 Navigating Growth and Change11:37 Building Rapport with Business Owners14:29 Investment in Technology and Its Impact18:45 Client Feedback and Technology Integration22:45 Key Metrics for Business Success23:25 Understanding Revenue Per Client32:46 The Importance of Business Planning38:28 Optimism for the Future of the IndustryLinks:www.businesshealth.comwww.finuragroup.com

In this episode of The WealthTech Insider, Danni Le Grande, Head of IFA Consulting at Finura Group, sits down with Simon Betchley, Head of Institutional Consulting, to unpack the wild and often underestimated beast that is revenue management in financial advice businesses.Revenue in advice firms is messy—really messy. Payments flow in from hundreds of different product providers, each using their own file formats, labels, and naming conventions. Add in platform fees, direct debits, fee-for-service models, clawbacks, and legacy business, and you’ve got a data nightmare. No standardisation, no shortcuts, and a whole lot of Excel.Enter Revenue Management Systems (RMS). These tools exist to make sense of it all—collating, cleaning, splitting, reconciling, and delivering a standardised view of revenue across your business. But they’re not silver bullets. And as Danni and Simon discuss, the best results come when firms put in the work.So what sets the high-performing firms apart? It’s not just having an RMS—it’s how they use it. From deep client segmentation to cost-to-serve analytics, smart firms are leveraging revenue data to make strategic decisions, drive profitability, and build more scalable businesses.If you're still manually wrangling data or you're not getting the most out of your RMS, this is the deep dive you didn’t know you needed.🔗 Learn more at www.finuragroup.com

In this episode of The WealthTech Insider, host Danni Le Grande is joined by Nicole Smith, founder of Socialisd, to unpack what modern marketing really looks like for financial advice firms.Nicole shares why digital marketing isn’t just about getting more clients. It’s about storytelling, retention, team engagement, and building brand trust (before you need it). The conversation dives into real-world insights from Finura’s Tech Benchmarking Data, the often-overlooked power of email marketing, how AI can be your marketing wingman, and why social media is more than a “nice to have.”Whether you're reluctant to post, still sharing blogs without context, or ready to empower your team to step into the spotlight, this episode is packed with practical advice to help advice firms own their digital presence with purpose and personality.