Fintel (FNTL) has entered into a heads of terms with Intellect Design Arena to form a joint venture to develop and commercialise an AI-led financial advisory platform for the UK retail market.
The proposed 50:50 joint venture will be incorporated in the UK and will combine Fintel’s data, distribution and customer relationships with Intellect’s AI-first technology and global financial services expertise to deliver an enterprise-grade advisory platform.
The platform will be tailored specifically for the UK market, targeting financial intermediaries with integrated workflow, decisioning and advice tools. Governance will consist of five board members, including two representatives from each partner and one independent director.
Both parties intend to invest up to £5 million into the venture. Final capital contributions and share issuance will be agreed upon incorporation.
The partnership aligns with Fintel’s strategy to become a leading technology and data partner to the UK retail financial services sector. Furthermore, the board believes the venture positions the group to benefit from structural changes in the market, including increased regulatory requirements under Consumer Duty and growing demand for accessible, technology-driven advice.
Fintel will contribute its UK market expertise and Defaqto data capabilities, while Intellect brings its eMACH.ai platform and Purple Fabric AI architecture, which are deployed across more than 500 financial institutions globally.
Fintel’s Chief Executive Officer Matt Timmins said: “2025 was a transformational year for Fintel and we enter 2026 with a clear strategic ambition: to be the defining technology and data platform for UK retail financial services. This joint venture with Intellect Design Arena is a significant step towards that goal. Intellect brings world-class AI-first financial technology that has been proven at scale across global markets. Combined with our unrivalled UK distribution, customer relationships and proprietary data assets, we believe the Joint Venture has the potential to materially enhance the quality and accessibility of financial advice in the UK - and to create meaningful long-term shareholder value for Fintel. We look forward to providing further details at our Capital Markets Event on 23 April 2026.”
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This marks a strategically important step in Fintel’s shift towards higher-value technology and data services. By partnering rather than building in-house, the group gains immediate access to proven AI infrastructure while leveraging its strong UK distribution. If executed well, the venture could position Fintel at the centre of a rapidly evolving advisory market shaped by regulation and automation.