An industry veteran with more than a decade of fintech experience has launched a new advice firm designed to bridge the gap between traditional wealth management and digital-only platforms.
Will Lenehan, a chartered financial planner based in Harrogate, has founded Life Plan Partners to serve professionals, business owners and individuals across Yorkshire.
The firm combines technology-enabled financial planning tools with relationship-led, personalised advice.
Lenehan started his career at Open Money, the digital advice venture created by the co-founder of MoneySuperMarket and a co-founder of Tatton Asset Management.
There, he helped scale the business to around 100 staff with £200m worth of assets under management, delivering regulated advice to thousands of UK clients.
He later led the launch of an FCA-authorised digital investment firm backed by the founder of WeBuyAnyCar and ITV.
Lenehan said: “My experiences have highlighted a structural weakness in the market.
“Technology can dramatically improve transparency and efficiency in financial services, but when people are making significant decisions about pensions, investments, retirement or selling a business, they still want an individual involved who they trust.
“At the other end of the spectrum, traditional advice can feel slow and opaque. Our model sits between those two worlds.”
Life Plan Partners uses digital onboarding, planning software and transparent reporting tools, with a dedicated adviser at the centre of each client relationship.
The firm is targeting an average household investment level of around £300,000 and expects to reach £15m in assets under management within its first year.
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Lenehan said: “I have already seen multiple examples of clients paying ongoing fees without receiving advice, sitting in underperforming default pension funds or facing significant exit penalties.
“Many people simply don’t know what they’re paying or whether their investments are appropriate. Financial advice shouldn’t be intimidating or full of jargon. It should provide clarity and confidence.”
Industry data indicates the average UK financial adviser is approaching retirement age, with significant consolidation across the sector.
Lenehan added: “I believe this presents an opportunity for smaller, independent firms focused on trust and long-term relationships. Our priority is measured growth.
“This business isn’t about rapid scale; it’s about building lasting relationships with clients and addressing the growing disconnect between traditional wealth management and what modern clients really need.”