Spark Financial announces tech provider partnership

Spark Financial has joined forces with technology providers Oko Platforms and Voyant to enable its financial advisers to offer sustainable investing solutions and improve cash flow management for practices.

Sustainability investing platform Oko Adviser allows Spark advisers to work with their clients on investment solutions, while Voyant provides financial planning and wealth management software.

Arthur Kallos, Spark Financial Group chief executive, said the technology solutions will work in sync with Spark’s existing software and “drive client growth among Spark Financial’s advisory network”.

“The combination of the Oko and Voyant software will mean our advisers can offer clients – of all demographics and wealth phases – a more comprehensive suite of products, including sustainable investments, as well as model complex scenarios that help clients visualise their financial goals,” Mr Kallos said.

“The two sets of software are complementary to one another and collectively work to strengthen the tool kit of our advisers, particularly important at a time when accessing quality, affordable financial advice is paramount.”

He added that the Oko partnership will be key to Spark Financial fulfilling the sustainability pillar of the profit-for-purpose model, which it moved to in July.

“There’s an increasing desire for clients to work within sustainable value investments, and it’s not just millennials and younger investors wanting to make a positive impact and drive meaningful change,” Mr Kallos said.

Oko Platforms’ chief executive, Tom Culver, said the platform aggregates sustainability data so that advisers can better inform clients on investment solutions that match their sustainability preferences.

“Financial advisers often find themselves challenged by the evolving client demands to incorporate sustainability into investment advice,” Mr Culver said.

“They play a critical role in merging client expectations on sustainable values and financial outcomes, we’re confident our partnership with Spark will deliver this for its advisers and their clients.”

Voyant vice-president of business development, Australia and Europe, Stephen Browne, added: “The current level of market uncertainty along with cost-of-living pressure have reinforced the need to plan ahead and consider investments more strategically.

“Voyant is designed to remove the complexity around financial planning while enabling Spark advisers to visually demonstrate necessary cash flow levels at each life stage so clients can invest accordingly.”