The UK is facing a crisis. Almost one million young people are not in education, employment, or training (NEET)—the highest figure in over a decade. Government responses focus on tightening benefits and enforcing rigid job mandates, but this is the wrong approach. NEETs don’t need a stick—they need a carrot of opportunity. The truth is, … Continue reading Solving the UK’s NEET Crisis with the GAME Plan and M-POWER
Month: February 2025
The Silent Epidemic: Financial Mis-Selling and the Stigmatisation of Victims
For decades, victims of financial mis-selling by FCA-regulated advisers have been ignored, dismissed, and even vilified. Instead of receiving the justice they deserve, they are treated as an embarrassment to the system—ostracised, gaslighted, and accused of tarnishing the financial services industry. This is not just an isolated issue; it is an epidemic and a national … Continue reading The Silent Epidemic: Financial Mis-Selling and the Stigmatisation of Victims
The Truth About Regulation, Professionalism, and Consumer Protection in UK Financial Services
The Truth About Regulation, Professionalism, and Consumer Protection in UK Financial Services In the world of financial services, regulation is often mistaken for professionalism. The reality is more nuanced. While FCA-regulated financial advisers may dominate the conversation, they represent only a fraction of the industry. Financial planning is a broad profession, upheld by multiple professional … Continue reading The Truth About Regulation, Professionalism, and Consumer Protection in UK Financial Services
Why I Know Financial Recovery Is Possible—Because I’ve Lived It
Why I Know Financial Recovery Is Possible—Because I’ve Lived It I know what it means to lose everything—not once, but twice. For decades, I led pension strategies for the largest financial institutions in Britain. I understood financial security inside out—on paper. But life has a way of tearing up even the best-laid plans. Through two … Continue reading Why I Know Financial Recovery Is Possible—Because I’ve Lived It
Reclaiming Your Future: How Holistic Wealth Planning Empowers Financial Scam Victims
The Problem with Traditional Financial Advice For most people, having a financial adviser means relying on someone who, despite their expertise, may have a conflict of interest. This is because traditional financial advisers often earn money from selling financial products—whether through commissions or fees attached to transactions. This raises an important question: Can clients ever … Continue reading Reclaiming Your Future: How Holistic Wealth Planning Empowers Financial Scam Victims
Gen Z is Redefining Financial Planning—The Industry Needs to Catch Up
Gen Z is proving to be far more financially astute than the traditional financial industry gives them credit for. While institutions persist with outdated, financial-capital-only strategies, this generation is approaching financial planning with a broader, more intelligent perspective—one that considers human capital, longevity, and a radically changed economic landscape. With many expected to live beyond … Continue reading Gen Z is Redefining Financial Planning—The Industry Needs to Catch Up
The Growth Agenda Trap: How City Bankers Shape Government Policy to Serve Their Own Interests
For decades, City bankers have dictated the civil service playbook, driving a relentless “growth agenda” that prioritises financial products over real solutions. This leads to a cycle of government-sponsored financial schemes, marketed as the ultimate solution to economic and social challenges. These products, however, rarely deliver on their promises. Instead, they serve the financial institutions … Continue reading The Growth Agenda Trap: How City Bankers Shape Government Policy to Serve Their Own Interests
Why You Need a Professional Ally on Your Side
The financial services industry is a minefield. Even as AI helps to eliminate information asymmetry, powerful incentives continue to distort outcomes for the public. Intermediaries earn commissions and product-based fees, ensuring their loyalty lies with financial institutions rather than the consumer. New firms pop up, promising tax loopholes that later prove to be scams, leaving … Continue reading Why You Need a Professional Ally on Your Side
Rethinking Retirement Anxiety: A Holistic Perspective on Financial Well-being
A recent study by Standard Life highlights a common concern among millennials—the fear of not saving enough for retirement. While financial preparedness is important, this research appears to frame the issue solely through the lens of product-based financial solutions, omitting crucial elements of human capital, life purpose, and psychological development. To truly empower individuals, we … Continue reading Rethinking Retirement Anxiety: A Holistic Perspective on Financial Well-being
Social Tariffs in UK Financial Services: A Step Towards True Financial Inclusion?
In an era where financial services should serve everyone, the introduction of social tariffs has sparked both hope and scrutiny. Designed to provide lower-cost banking, insurance, and financial advice to vulnerable consumers, these tariffs aim to bridge the gap between financial exclusion and genuine economic empowerment. But are they enough? Or are they merely a … Continue reading Social Tariffs in UK Financial Services: A Step Towards True Financial Inclusion?
Academy of Life Planning 