Bridging the Empowerment Gap: Why Financial Empowerment, Not Advice, is the Future

For too long, the financial services industry has focused on solving the wrong problem. The buzzword has been the “advice gap” — a perceived lack of accessible financial advice for the masses. But the truth is, the real issue isn’t advice; it’s empowerment. People don’t need to be sold financial products disguised as solutions. They … Continue reading Bridging the Empowerment Gap: Why Financial Empowerment, Not Advice, is the Future →

Creating Clarity in Financial Services: Why Role Definitions Matter

In financial markets worldwide, establishing clear distinctions between different service providers is essential to ensure transparency, fairness, and better outcomes for investors. By setting specific roles and responsibilities, regulators and industry leaders create an environment where individuals can confidently make financial decisions, knowing they are based on unbiased and accurate guidance. Why Clear Role Definitions … Continue reading Creating Clarity in Financial Services: Why Role Definitions Matter →

Why Do 80% of Financial Advisers Want to Expand Auto-Enrolment? A Closer Look at the Debate

In a recent survey by fintech firm iPipeline, over 80% of financial advisers expressed support for changes to the UK’s auto-enrolment pension system. Many called for a lower minimum age and higher contributions, aiming to bring more people into the fold. Some called for dropping the Lower Earnings Limit deduction and the trigger point to … Continue reading Why Do 80% of Financial Advisers Want to Expand Auto-Enrolment? A Closer Look at the Debate →

The FCA’s Response to APPG Report: A Disturbing Echo of Past Scandals

The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) defensive response to the scathing report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on its performance is both disappointing and revealing. Instead of addressing the issues raised with humility and a genuine commitment to reform, the executive committee appears to have taken a defensive stance, portraying itself as misunderstood and victimised. … Continue reading The FCA’s Response to APPG Report: A Disturbing Echo of Past Scandals →

Unlock Your Potential: Transform Your Financial Planning Career with the Academy of Life Planning

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? The Academy of Life Planning offers you more than just membership—it’s your gateway to transformation. Whether you’re an adviser seeking to break free from product-focused models or a planner ready to build a lifestyle-aligned financial planning business, we’re here to guide you every step … Continue reading Unlock Your Potential: Transform Your Financial Planning Career with the Academy of Life Planning →

Younger People Seek Financial Advice While Advisers Shift Focus

Recent research reveals a striking irony in today’s financial advice market: younger people are increasingly looking for financial guidance, just as advisers are offloading clients who fall outside their target profiles. This disconnect raises important questions about accessibility, fairness, and the future of financial advice. Younger Generations Turning to Financial Advice Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent … Continue reading Younger People Seek Financial Advice While Advisers Shift Focus →

Gareth’s GAME Plan: Finding a Purposeful Encore Career

At several points in life, we find ourselves at a crossroads. One chapter closes, and another beckons—a new journey full of potential but often accompanied by uncertainty. This is where having a GAME Plan becomes essential. The GAME Plan framework offers a structured yet deeply personal approach to navigating life’s transitions. It focuses on setting … Continue reading Gareth’s GAME Plan: Finding a Purposeful Encore Career →

How GAME Plan Practitioners Can Respond to the Perspective of Sickness Benefits Reform

The proposed reforms to sickness benefits by the government raise critical questions about how we support individuals in transitioning back into work. Liz Kendall’s statement that “if you can work, you must work” sets a firm expectation, but it risks missing the nuance and personalisation required to empower those dealing with long-term sickness, disability, or … Continue reading How GAME Plan Practitioners Can Respond to the Perspective of Sickness Benefits Reform →

The GAME Plan vs. “Manifest and Grind”: A New Way to Empower Young People

Economic inactivity among young people is a pressing issue, and tackling it effectively demands more than traditional approaches. Alice Thomson’s article in The Times rightly highlights the need for greater support for the young. However, her proposed solution—a mix of tough love and systemic tweaks—still clings to outdated assumptions about work as drudgery and success … Continue reading The GAME Plan vs. “Manifest and Grind”: A New Way to Empower Young People →

Is the FCA Fit for Purpose? A Call for Radical Reform in Financial Regulation

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s financial watchdog, has come under fire in a damning report published today by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on investment fraud and fairer financial services. After a three-year investigation involving 175 testimonies from fraud victims, whistleblowers, and former FCA staff, the report does not mince words: the regulator … Continue reading Is the FCA Fit for Purpose? A Call for Radical Reform in Financial Regulation →