UK based leading FinTech firm Smart Pensions which specialises in savings technology platform has revealed in its latest announcement that the firm now has a new equity investor – Natixis Investment Managers. Natixis Investment Managers is French based leading financial services provider renowned as one of the largest global Asset Management Company and second-biggest asset management service provider in France based on its market share. As per statement released by the FinTech service provider, Natixis IM has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with the firm by investing a huge sum becoming one of its equity investors with plans to combine the technology and service from both firms to develop and deliver industry-leading workplace pension market solutions in both UK and globally. It should be noted that the flagship product from Smart Pension is its Automatic Enrolment Workplace Pensions platform.
While the statement revealed that Natixis IM has become one of its equity investors, the statement from the firm lacked details on exact amount invested by the asset manager and how much share value it exactly holds at the moment. Aside from Natixis IM, some of the other leading brands which hold have invested in the FinTech are – Link Group – Australia’s leading administrator in super annuation market, Legal & General Investment Management & J.P. Morgan. Smart has evolved into one of largest players in UK FinTech market since its launch in 2014 and has helped many working class people in UK gain access to workplace savings tech solutions and meet their auto enrolment obligations. Its client base which spans tens of thousands of employed individuals expands across UK, Republic of Ireland and several regions in Dubai. The investment gained this time around will be a part of Smart’s funding round aimed at expanding its global reach and establishing a foothold in USA and Australian markets. This is evident from most recent deal of similar nature signed between the firm and Link Group that was signed in November of 2019.
Commenting about this investment and partnership agreement, Andrew Evans – CEO of Smart Pension said “We are really proud to welcome Natixis Investment Managers as a strategic investor in Smart. Natixis IM shares our vision of utilising digital technologies to help improve outcomes for all savers, and we look forward to working with Natixis IM as we build our platform to power the pensions of the future. Having access to their broad suite of affiliate investment capabilities will help us develop ever more innovative investment solutions for our members, including the use of illiquid alternative solutions. Natixis IM’s strategic investment supports our ambitious international growth plans as we look to branch out into the United States and Australia following our successful platform deployments in Dubai and the Republic of Ireland implemented earlier this year”.
Speaking on same note, Jean Raby – CEO of Natixis IM added “Natixis IM’s equity investment will help accelerate our growth in Defined Contribution pension markets in the UK and globally while also helping to support the global growth of Smart through the wide range of investment capabilities of our affiliated managers, particularly in alternative strategies. This investment is part of the ongoing commitment by Natixis IM to focus on the types of innovative platforms and business models that are leading change across our industry”.