Too often, the public narrative around financial support starts—and ends—with the regulated financial adviser. It’s a narrow view that overlooks a growing ecosystem of professionals ready to empower people to take control of their money without pushing products or prioritising profit.
The truth is, most regulated advisers are paid to sell. They operate within a model that rewards them for managing wealth, not building it. They seek affluent clients who can delegate decisions, not everyday individuals who want to learn how to plan their own financial future.
This leaves a huge swathe of the population—particularly younger people, women, and lower-income households—without accessible, trustworthy support. They’re told they need advice, but what they really need is guidance, coaching, and a chance to build confidence in managing their own finances.
The Rise of Financial Coaching
New research from TrinityBridge shows that financial coaching is not only filling the gap—it’s transforming lives.
The study found that 92% of employees who used financial coaching reported it as beneficial. While only one in four used it to address a pressing financial issue, most engaged with coaching to build confidence, improve decision-making, and develop healthier money habits.
This isn’t about solving emergencies. It’s about enabling people to take action, build capability, and feel more secure about their financial future.
And yet, awareness remains critically low. Over 60% of UK employees have never heard of financial coaching. Among over-55s, that figure rises to 73%. This blind spot means many are left believing that regulated advisers are the only source of help—when in fact, advisers may not be the right fit at all.
Planning Without Products
Beyond coaching, there’s another under-recognised profession: financial planning that’s product-free.
Independent financial planners—not tied to regulated sales—can help individuals map out long-term goals, assess resources, and build strategies without ever recommending a product. These planners prioritise clarity, purpose, and action over transactions.
When people are equipped to make their own financial decisions, they become less reliant on third-party “experts,” and more in charge of their own lives. This shift isn’t just beneficial for individuals—it’s critical for society.
Empowerment is the Future
The financial services industry, as it stands, is not designed for the majority. It’s time to normalise a broader set of solutions. Financial coaching and non-product-aligned planning are not second-best alternatives—they are essential tools in an age where financial confidence is as important as financial capital.
The advice gap isn’t just a gap in access—it’s a gap in imagination.
If we want to create a more financially literate, empowered, and resilient population, we must do more than regulate advice—we must champion support that educates, motivates, and liberates.
Let’s stop telling people the only way forward is through a regulated adviser, and start introducing them to the many professionals—coaches, planners, and mentors—who can help them take control of their money and their lives.
Your Money or Your Life
Unmask the highway robbers – Enjoy wealth in every area of your life!
By Steve Conley. Available on Amazon. Visit www.steve.conley.co.uk to find out more.
Academy of Life Planning 