Financial Planning technology firm Ortec Finance has turned to former St James’s Place division director John O’Driscoll to boost its UK Financial Planning ambitions.

Mr O’Driscoll has been appointed managing director, OPAL Financial & Wealth Planning.

OPAL is Ortec’s intelligent advice technology that underpins client advice at many Europe banks, pension providers and wealth managers.

The firm said Mr O’Driscoll’s appointment “marks a major milestone in Ortec Finance’s commitment to bring its proven technology to UK advice professionals, helping them deliver more engaging, personalised and scalable Financial Planning.”

Mr O’Driscoll has more than 20 years’ experience in financial services. At SJP he led the development of advice and planning tools, including the rollout of AI and automation solutions. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and is known for his leadership in technology-enabled advice transformation, the firm said.

Tessa Kuijl, managing director global wealth solutions at Ortec, said: “The UK is a hugely important market for us and John’s appointment underlines the scale of our ambition.

“His knowledge of the advice landscape, combined with his leadership experience and vision on using AI and automation solutions for advisers, will be key to develop OPAL’s technology to the next level for UK and global institutions, advisers and their clients.”

Mr O’Driscoll said: “Financial Planning is at its most powerful when it helps people see and believe in their financial future. OPAL does that by turning data and projections into clear, personalised insights that build confidence and trust.”

In April Ortec recruited former HSBC Financial Planning head Mark Glover as managing director and head of UK wealth management.

The firm said he would be responsible for the fintech’s Financial Planning partnerships across the wealth sector. It said he would also spearhead Ortec’s UK expansion plans to provide technology that enables goal-based personalised Financial Planning at scale for mass affluent clients.

Ortec Finance’s platform combines Financial Planning tools, advanced scenario modelling and integration with multiple CRM, portfolio management, risk profiling and legacy advice tools.