The Five Truths of Trustworthy Advice:
- The client is the customer — not their money.
- You plan the client before you plan the money— in a productive cycle.
- You model total wealth — human and financial capital — against lifetime liabilities.
- The goal is not wealth, but whole-person well-being — mind, body, heart, and spirit.
- Advice is separated from product — for structural market integrity.
Trustworthy advisers do not sell products, hold agency with providers, or take commissions. They sell plans, not products. They sit on the same side of the table as the client — new world professional allies against an old world rigged machine.
How Neil Built His Practice Around Purpose, Trust, and Climate-Aware Guidance
At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe that true transformation begins when professionals align their work with their values — not the system’s demands.
Neil’s journey is a testament to that.
🧠The Challenge with Traditional Advice
When Neil first joined the Academy, he was already a highly qualified actuary and certified financial risk manager. He had experience of the advice market from the perspective of a consultant working with product providers that sell into the market. He found himself at odds with the mainstream model of financial advice, both around the fundamentally sales-centric approach, but also with how financial advice models inadequately capture the significant future planetary risks that we face.
“My clients would talk about their experience with speaking to advisers,” Neil said, “and every time, it was just about selling products.”
That experience came full circle recently, when Edith, a new client, approached Neil after talking to thirty different advisers — all of whom had tried to sell her something. Edith was simply looking for honest, informed guidance. Neil was the first person who listened.
🌍 Aligning Work with Values
With a background in institutional risk management and a deep concern for climate change, Neil knew he needed to build his practice in a way that avoided any hidden conflicts of interest, and that enabled him flexibility to challenge assumptions around how we understand the implications of an increasingly uncertain future world. He didn’t just want to help people grow their pensions — he wanted to help them invest with purpose, build resilience, and make an impact.
That’s when Neil embraced the GAME Plan — our life-first, product-free financial planning framework, for the new age, that empowers clients to take ownership of their future.
Through the Academy’s mentorship and training, Neil:
- Developed his “Planet Positive Planning” brand
- Built his website to reflect his mission and ethics
- Designed transparent service packages centred on client empowerment
- Launched market research surveys to listen deeply to what his audience actually wanted
🔍 What Did He Discover?
The survey findings were clear:
- 90%Â of respondents said sustainability matters in their financial decisions
- Many cited greenwashing, cost barriers, and overwhelm as key blockers
- People wanted guidance, not sales
One respondent wrote:
“In a perfect world? I’d be sitting comfortably with a solid, sustainable financial setup… proud, even — knowing I’ve done right by both my family and the planet.”
Neil knew he was on the right track.
đź“Ł Shifting the Narrative
Instead of competing in a crowded, transactional advice market, Neil focused on building a community — starting with content, conversations, and soon a new LinkedIn group:
“Green Career & Finance Transitions” — a space for people exploring values-led work and wealth.
He’s also begun offering multiple service tiers:
- Full GAME Plan coaching
- Flexible monthly support
- A low-cost, guided DIY option. All transparent, product-free, and aligned with AoLP’s five Truth Principles.
✨ The Result: Purpose-Driven Practice
Today, Neil’s practice isn’t just surviving — it’s evolving.
He’s attracting the right clients. He’s staying true to his values. And most importantly, he’s creating space for people like Edith — who simply want trustworthy, climate-aware financial guidance without the pressure.
🙌 A Word from Neil
“The GAME Plan gave me the clarity and structure I needed to build a practice that reflects who I am and how I want to help. Clients can sense the difference. This isn’t about transactions. It’s about transformation.”
If you’re a planner seeking to escape the old age product-pushing model and build a new age values-led, purpose-first business — like Neil — we’d love to hear from you.
Book a discovery call or learn more about our GAME Plan Practitioner Training today.
đź”— Book A Free Call Today.
If this resonates, join us at the Academy of Life Planning. We’re building a new world where planning means purpose—not just portfolios.
Join the M-Power Movement
Our Strategy:
- Vision, not critique.
- Surgical, not sweeping.
- Stories, not slogans.
- Accountability, not lost.
- Alternatives, not arguments.
What’s in it for you?
- Empowerment: Learn how to manage your money and grow your wealth with confidence.
- Entrepreneurship: Discover tools and support to turn your ideas into thriving businesses.
- Community: Connect with like-minded individuals and organisations dedicated to financial freedom for all.
How to Get Started:
- Join Our Community: Access free resources, workshops, and networking opportunities.
- Book a Call: Speak with an expert to explore how we can support your journey to financial independence.
- Spread the Word: Help us build a global movement by sharing this vision with your network.
Together, we can redefine what financial planning means, transforming it from a service of dependency into a tool of empowerment. The M-Power Movement is not just about creating wealth; it’s about creating a fairer society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Are you ready to take control of your financial future?
Join us today and be part of this transformative journey.
Academy of Life Planning 