Financial Crime: A Crisis of Trust and Survival For too long, financial crime has been framed as an economic issue. But as the Faces of Financial Crime report makes clear, the reality is far more devastating. Victims don’t just lose money—they lose their peace of mind, their sense of security, and in some cases, even … Continue reading How the GAME Plan Empowers Victims of Financial Crime to Rebuild Their Lives
Author: Steve Conley
Steve Conley is the founder of the Academy of Life Planning, a movement dedicated to restoring human agency in financial planning and helping people navigate life's decisions with greater confidence, capability and independence.
With over 40 years' experience in financial services, Steve has held senior leadership roles with HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander and Royal London. A Chartered Financial Planner and Chartered Insurer, he combines deep industry expertise with a passion for challenging systems that leave people unnecessarily dependent on experts.
Steve believes the future of financial planning is not about replacing advisers with artificial intelligence, but using AI to strengthen people's ability to understand, question and make informed decisions for themselves. This philosophy underpins Academy OS, a growing ecosystem of AI-powered tools designed to help individuals, families and planners build capability rather than dependency.
Through the Academy of Life Planning, Steve works with financial planners, organisations and individuals who share a vision of a more transparent, ethical and human-centred approach to planning. His work spans education, research, technology, speaking and professional development, with a focus on creating practical solutions that improve financial capability and restore confidence in decision-making.
Steve is also the creator of the Total Wealth Planner approach, which recognises that a fulfilling life depends on far more than money alone. By integrating financial, personal, social and purpose-driven wellbeing, he helps people pursue what he calls "enough"—a life of balance, resilience and meaning.
As a speaker, mentor and author of *Your Money or Your Life: Unmask the Highway Robbers*, Steve continues to challenge conventional thinking about financial planning, arguing that the profession's greatest opportunity is to move beyond advice alone and become a catalyst for greater human agency.
To learn more or connect with Steve, visit the Academy of Life Planning or email steve@academyoflifeplanning.com.
Competitor Analysis of Non-FCA Regulated Financial Planners (UK & International with UK Presence)
1. Identification of Competitors Direct Competitors (Non-FCA Regulated Financial Planners): These are firms offering holistic financial planning without intermediating product sales. They provide advice-only or life planning services and do not act as introducers to regulated advisers (i.e. they are not merely lead generators). Key examples include: Second Life Financial Planning (UK): A newly launched … Continue reading Competitor Analysis of Non-FCA Regulated Financial Planners (UK & International with UK Presence)
Dodgy Advice and a Land-Banking Scam: Lessons from the Asset Land Case
Think twice before trusting “advice” from someone who’s also selling you an investment. It might sound convenient – your adviser has a perfect opportunity just for you – but that double role can hide huge conflicts of interest. The £21 million Asset Land Investment scandal is a prime example. Investors were lured by salespeople posing … Continue reading Dodgy Advice and a Land-Banking Scam: Lessons from the Asset Land Case
If Everyone Lived Like the Average American, We’d Need Five Planets—Here’s What We Can Do Instead
“But what can one person do about it?” said 8.2 billion people. It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of global overconsumption. But there is a way forward—one that benefits both people and the planet. It starts with personal growth, stepping off the hedonic treadmill, and embracing a life of eudaimonic wellbeing. Here’s why … Continue reading If Everyone Lived Like the Average American, We’d Need Five Planets—Here’s What We Can Do Instead
Why More Stuff Won’t Make You Happy — And What Will
Can buying more and more stuff really make you happier, or is it quietly making life worse? Our modern world pushes the idea that the road to happiness is paved with shopping receipts. Bigger houses, newer phones, more clothes – we’re told these are tickets to a better life. But what if that’s a lie? … Continue reading Why More Stuff Won’t Make You Happy — And What Will
At Least 50 Times Worse Than Maxwell: The Great Royal Mail Pension Scandal
The Robert Maxwell pension scandal was one of the worst financial betrayals in British history, with the media mogul siphoning off hundreds of millions from his employees’ pension funds. But what if we told you that the government has pulled off something far worse—leaving taxpayers to foot a colossal bill of £45bn? That’s exactly what … Continue reading At Least 50 Times Worse Than Maxwell: The Great Royal Mail Pension Scandal
Why Financial Independence Should Be for Everyone (And How We Can Make It Happen)
Money shouldn't be a privilege. It should be a tool that empowers everyone—not just the wealthy elite. Yet, for too long, the financial system has been built to benefit those who already have wealth while leaving everyone else struggling to navigate complex rules, hidden fees, and outdated models that keep them dependent on financial ‘experts.’ … Continue reading Why Financial Independence Should Be for Everyone (And How We Can Make It Happen)
🚶♂️ Thinning the Herd: How the Banking Elite, Government, and Captured Regulators Are Rigging the System
For all their talk of fairness, financial institutions and regulators have a habit of showing their true colours when it matters most. They say one thing, but their actions paint a very different picture. And if history has taught us anything, it’s this: when powerful institutions face accountability, they don’t just fight back—they try to … Continue reading 🚶♂️ Thinning the Herd: How the Banking Elite, Government, and Captured Regulators Are Rigging the System
The Missing Pillar of Financial Wellbeing: Why Spiritual Wellness Matters
Why do so many people with financial success still feel unfulfilled? Is there more to “wellbeing” than stable income and a comfortable lifestyle? In the quest for a happy life, we often chase careers, relationships, and material comforts. Yet, even after checking all those boxes, something intangible can remain missing. Enter spiritual wellbeing – a … Continue reading The Missing Pillar of Financial Wellbeing: Why Spiritual Wellness Matters
Why the Future of Financial Planning is in Your Hands – Not Theirs
Let’s be honest: the financial system isn’t built for you. It’s built for institutions, advisers, and product providers who make money when you hand over control. But what if you didn’t need them? What if you could take charge of your own financial future—on your terms, without hidden fees, commissions, or conflicts of interest? That’s … Continue reading Why the Future of Financial Planning is in Your Hands – Not Theirs
Academy of Life Planning 