The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) defensive response to the scathing report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on its performance is both disappointing and revealing. Instead of addressing the issues raised with humility and a genuine commitment to reform, the executive committee appears to have taken a defensive stance, portraying itself as misunderstood and victimised. … Continue reading The FCA’s Response to APPG Report: A Disturbing Echo of Past Scandals
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.
Unlock Your Potential: Transform Your Financial Planning Career with the Academy of Life Planning
Are you ready to take your career to the next level? The Academy of Life Planning offers you more than just membership—it’s your gateway to transformation. Whether you’re an adviser seeking to break free from product-focused models or a planner ready to build a lifestyle-aligned financial planning business, we’re here to guide you every step … Continue reading Unlock Your Potential: Transform Your Financial Planning Career with the Academy of Life Planning
Younger People Seek Financial Advice While Advisers Shift Focus
Recent research reveals a striking irony in today’s financial advice market: younger people are increasingly looking for financial guidance, just as advisers are offloading clients who fall outside their target profiles. This disconnect raises important questions about accessibility, fairness, and the future of financial advice. Younger Generations Turning to Financial Advice Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent … Continue reading Younger People Seek Financial Advice While Advisers Shift Focus
Gareth’s GAME Plan: Finding a Purposeful Encore Career
At several points in life, we find ourselves at a crossroads. One chapter closes, and another beckons—a new journey full of potential but often accompanied by uncertainty. This is where having a GAME Plan becomes essential. The GAME Plan framework offers a structured yet deeply personal approach to navigating life’s transitions. It focuses on setting … Continue reading Gareth’s GAME Plan: Finding a Purposeful Encore Career
How GAME Plan Practitioners Can Respond to the Perspective of Sickness Benefits Reform
The proposed reforms to sickness benefits by the government raise critical questions about how we support individuals in transitioning back into work. Liz Kendall’s statement that “if you can work, you must work” sets a firm expectation, but it risks missing the nuance and personalisation required to empower those dealing with long-term sickness, disability, or … Continue reading How GAME Plan Practitioners Can Respond to the Perspective of Sickness Benefits Reform
The GAME Plan vs. “Manifest and Grind”: A New Way to Empower Young People
Economic inactivity among young people is a pressing issue, and tackling it effectively demands more than traditional approaches. Alice Thomson’s article in The Times rightly highlights the need for greater support for the young. However, her proposed solution—a mix of tough love and systemic tweaks—still clings to outdated assumptions about work as drudgery and success … Continue reading The GAME Plan vs. “Manifest and Grind”: A New Way to Empower Young People
Is the FCA Fit for Purpose? A Call for Radical Reform in Financial Regulation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s financial watchdog, has come under fire in a damning report published today by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on investment fraud and fairer financial services. After a three-year investigation involving 175 testimonies from fraud victims, whistleblowers, and former FCA staff, the report does not mince words: the regulator … Continue reading Is the FCA Fit for Purpose? A Call for Radical Reform in Financial Regulation
Britain Isn’t Working: The GAME Plan as a Solution
Britain, we’re told, “simply isn’t working.” With a record 2.8 million people off work due to long-term sickness and welfare spending soaring, the nation is grappling with a crisis that’s as economic as it is social. The government’s proposed solutions – personalised job centre support, CV advice, and AI job-hunting tools – may tick some … Continue reading Britain Isn’t Working: The GAME Plan as a Solution
Retirement Planning Beyond Financial Capital: A Call for Holistic Conversations
For many, the prospect of retirement is both exciting and daunting. It’s a time to step back, reflect, and embrace new opportunities. But what if your retirement savings fall short of your expectations? For those who approach financial advisers hoping for a lifeline, the conversations they’re having might not be enough to ease their worries. … Continue reading Retirement Planning Beyond Financial Capital: A Call for Holistic Conversations
Why Financial Planners Need Human Capital Development Skills
For generations, retirement planning centred around accumulating enough financial capital to see people through their golden years. But as the workforce evolves, and life expectancy extends, this approach is no longer sufficient. Financial planners must embrace a new skill—human capital development strategy—to help clients navigate longer economically active lives without running out of financial resources. … Continue reading Why Financial Planners Need Human Capital Development Skills
Academy of Life Planning 