They told you deregulation would fuel growth. They told you trickle-down would raise your standard of living. They told you they needed your money—your savings, your security, your future—to make it all happen. But here’s the truth, buried under a mountain of spin and billion-pound PR budgets: The fat cats are fattening themselves—and starving the … Continue reading Your Money or Your Life: Fill the Public’s Pockets—Not the Fat Cats’ →

While neighbouring banks were busy rigging Libor during the Global Banking Crisis, my team at HSBC was working on something altogether different — something that showed what finance could achieve when directed by purpose, not greed. As Head of Investments at HSBC, I had the privilege to lead the launch of the HSBC Vaccine Bond … Continue reading A Different Story During the Crisis: How We Launched the World’s Best Investment Product →

By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning Official figures reveal that £3.4 billion was spent last year on Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) to support individuals suffering from anxiety and depression—one-sixth of the total disability benefit spending. Since the pandemic, claims for mental health conditions have surged, now surpassing arthritis as the most costly category. … Continue reading Reclaiming the Future: A Response to Britain’s Mental Health Crisis →

By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe that no setback is final. The path from crisis to contribution, from despair to dignity, is not only possible—it’s a journey that can be mapped, planned, and walked with intention. The stories of Jamie Walker and Casey Fuller, two … Continue reading How Planning Your Life and Money Can Help You Recover from the Hardest of Times →

🌿 The Connect & Contribute Referral Programme A New Way to Grow Your Practice—And Support the Movement Welcome, Planner! At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe in shared success. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Connect & Contribute—our new referral programme that connects values-aligned practitioners like you with individuals actively seeking holistic financial guidance. This is more … Continue reading 🌿 The Connect & Contribute Referral Programme →

Introduction Small family farms in the UK are facing new succession planning challenges after the 2024 Autumn Budget’s changes to inheritance tax reliefs. The Chancellor’s reforms capped 100% Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) at the first £1 million of qualifying assets, with any value above that getting only 50% relief​ [fwi.co.uk​fwi.co.uk]. In … Continue reading Preserving UK Family Farms: Succession Strategies for Future Generations →

By Steve ConleyAcademy of Life Planning It always starts with a whisper. That subtle, quiet discomfort. The tiredness that doesn’t go away. The clutter in the mind. The ache in the chest. The emptiness in the bank account. The gnawing sense that something’s not quite right. You can’t explain it, but you feel it in … Continue reading Begin Again: The Detox That Awakens the Higher You →

By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning As holistic wealth planners, we’re not just guardians of financial well-being—we’re also gatekeepers of client trust and personal security. Yet in today’s digital-first environment, that responsibility extends far beyond traditional financial advice. We’ve become frontline defenders against cyber-enabled fraud, and phishing remains one of the most pervasive threats. … Continue reading Phishing Scams: The Five Key Threats Every Financial Planner Must Guard Against →