Author: Steve Conley

Steve Conley brings over four decades of innovation and expertise to the forefront of financial planning. As the founder and driving force behind the Academy of Life Planning and HapNav Ltd, Steve has been a pivotal figure in transforming financial services to be more democratic and decentralised. His role as a Game Plan Practitioner, Coach, Mentor, Speaker, and Author of "Your Money or Your Life: Unmask the Highway Robbers - Enjoy Wealth in Every Area of Your Life" underlines his comprehensive approach to financial education. The Academy of Life Planning, hailed as the "Most Pioneering Financial Planner Network," reflects Steve's commitment to fostering transparency, integrity, and accessibility. This institution serves as a testament to his dedication to enhancing the financial planning landscape. Under Steve's innovative leadership, HapNav Ltd has launched groundbreaking advancements, including the first end-user financial planning app integrated with open banking. This app guides users towards achieving 'Kokoro'—a life rich in financial, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual abundance. Recently, Steve introduced "Planning My Life" and "Financial Life Coach"—services that extend his ethos into practical, impactful tools for financial autonomy. "Planning My Life" offers an affordable subscription model, giving members access to an AI Life Planner, comprehensive resources, and expert insights. These initiatives epitomise Steve’s commitment to empowering individuals, nurturing community growth, and contributing significantly to global efforts to eradicate poverty. Steve's journey is more than a career; it's a steadfast crusade to revolutionise financial education and planning, creating a world where financial wellbeing is not just attainable, but enriches every aspect of our lives. Contact steve.conley@aolp.co.uk.

Lessons for the Chancellor #3: Why Equality in Education Is the Key to Growth

(Insights from Amparo Castelló & Rafael Doménech, “Human Capital Inequality and Economic Growth,” The Economic Journal, 2002) As Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver her second Budget, she faces the most difficult balancing act of her career: restoring growth while managing an ageing population, a strained welfare system, and persistent inequality.But a landmark study by … Continue reading Lessons for the Chancellor #3: Why Equality in Education Is the Key to Growth →

Lessons for the Chancellor #2: Building Britain’s Future on Human Capital, Not Fiscal Firefighting

(Insights from Latif Zeynalli, “The Impact of Stimulating the Development of Human Capital on Economic Development,” European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy, 2020) As Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver her second Budget next week, she faces the same pressures gripping every advanced economy: slowing growth, ageing populations, ballooning welfare bills, and unsustainable … Continue reading Lessons for the Chancellor #2: Building Britain’s Future on Human Capital, Not Fiscal Firefighting →

Lessons for the Chancellor: Human Capital as the Foundation for Sustainable Prosperity

(Drawing on Siriwan Saksiriruthai, “Human Capital as a Determinant of Long-Term Economic Growth,” 2018) 1. Shift the Budget from Consumption to Capability The study demonstrates that countries which sustain long-term growth invest systematically in human capital — not short-term stimulus or consumption. Fiscal strategies centred on transfers and subsidies may relieve pain temporarily but fail … Continue reading Lessons for the Chancellor: Human Capital as the Foundation for Sustainable Prosperity →

Should a publicly accountable body like the FOS publish data on why complaints are refused?

Yes — and the fact that it doesn’t is a systemic problem. The Financial Ombudsman Service is not a private firm.It is a publicly funded, statutory dispute-resolution body created by Parliament to provide access to justice for people who cannot fight banks in court. Because of that, the FOS has three fundamental duties: Duty of … Continue reading Should a publicly accountable body like the FOS publish data on why complaints are refused? →

Reconceptualising Wealth: From Human Capital to Human Capability

In the Academy of Life Planning, we believe wealth is not what you have — it’s what you can do.This philosophy resonates powerfully with a landmark paper by Paula England and Nancy Folbre, Reconceptualizing Human Capital (2000) — a text that redefines what it means to be “wealthy” in human terms. Beyond the Balance Sheet … Continue reading Reconceptualising Wealth: From Human Capital to Human Capability →

Inside the Slaughterhouse: What Structural Untrustworthiness Feels Like

Structural untrustworthiness is not built from villains.It’s built from fear, ambition, and obedience — woven into a system that rewards the wrong instincts and punishes the right ones. Within such a structure, people don’t set out to destroy lives.They drift into doing so, one rationalisation at a time. 🩸 The Anatomy of Structural Untrustworthiness 1. … Continue reading Inside the Slaughterhouse: What Structural Untrustworthiness Feels Like →

When “Responsible AI” Isn’t: Why Ethical Frameworks Can Still Harm Customers

Artificial intelligence is reshaping banking at extraordinary speed. In theory, “Responsible AI” frameworks promise fairness, transparency, and accountability. In practice, however, these frameworks can become tools of harm when adopted by institutions with histories of structural untrustworthiness. The Illusion of Responsibility Many large financial institutions now publish detailed “Responsible AI” statements. They highlight fairness audits, … Continue reading When “Responsible AI” Isn’t: Why Ethical Frameworks Can Still Harm Customers →

Crash Bank Wallop — And How to Get SAFE

A movement for truth, healing and justice is rising. This week, something powerful happened. A community came together — victims, whistleblowers, reformers, life planners, and citizen investigators — to honour the legacy of the late Paul Moore, reflect on the human impact of structural misconduct, and commit to a new level of action. The event, … Continue reading Crash Bank Wallop — And How to Get SAFE →

The Securitisation Trap: The Hidden System Behind UK Repossessions & Why Your Bank Won’t Let You Switch to Interest-Only

How Financial Engineering, Legal Ambiguity and Regulatory Silence Create Structural Risk for Homeowners A Quiet Crisis Behind the Possession Courts Most homeowners believe repossession happens for simple reasons: arrears, expired terms, or a broken agreement with their lender.But behind the scenes, a silent and vastly more complex machine is operating — one that even judges … Continue reading The Securitisation Trap: The Hidden System Behind UK Repossessions & Why Your Bank Won’t Let You Switch to Interest-Only →