In the recent Autumn Budget, the UK government announced significant changes to inheritance tax (IHT) affecting farmers. Starting April 2026, the first £1 million of combined business and agricultural assets will remain exempt from IHT. However, assets exceeding this threshold will be subject to a 20% tax rate, a shift from the previous full exemption … Continue reading Safeguarding Your Family Farm: Navigating Upcoming Inheritance Tax Changes
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.
Financial Advisers or Product Sellers? Let’s Put Truth on the Tin
When you’re facing a significant life event—whether it’s losing a loved one, navigating a serious illness, or dealing with a divorce—it’s natural to seek help. The public’s instinct is often to contact someone labelled as a “financial planner” or “financial adviser.” They believe they’ll receive guidance on how to handle these emotional, life-altering changes. Instead, … Continue reading Financial Advisers or Product Sellers? Let’s Put Truth on the Tin
The Pathway to Becoming a Financial Planner (Not a Product Seller)
In the world of financial planning, there’s a growing need for a clear and distinct pathway for professionals who want to focus on holistic life planning rather than selling financial products. This distinction is critical for those who aspire to be true financial planners—coaches and guides helping clients map out their life goals—not tied to … Continue reading The Pathway to Becoming a Financial Planner (Not a Product Seller)
A New Blow to Consumer Rights: The Government’s Plan to Curb Access to Free Dispute Representation
In what can only be seen as another move favouring financial corporations over the public, the Government’s latest initiative looks set to erode consumer rights in financial dispute claims. The proposal? Charging consumers who wish to be professionally represented when making a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), the very institution that was set … Continue reading A New Blow to Consumer Rights: The Government’s Plan to Curb Access to Free Dispute Representation
The Illusion of Advice: Why Financial Capital Isn’t the Whole Story
The financial services industry can be a confusing maze for consumers. At the heart of it all, you’ve got distributors (the salespeople), manufacturers (the product creators), regulators (the watchdogs), and their suppliers (everyone from tech providers to marketers). What do they all have in common? They want you, the consumer, to buy more of their … Continue reading The Illusion of Advice: Why Financial Capital Isn’t the Whole Story
Cutting the Red Tape or Cutting Consumer Protection?
The Chancellor’s Mansion House speech was a love letter to the City of London – wrapped in reform rhetoric but smelling distinctly of deregulation. Rachel Reeves wants us to believe her package of reforms will drive growth and unleash the financial services sector like never before. But let’s look past the polished prose, shall we? … Continue reading Cutting the Red Tape or Cutting Consumer Protection?
Review of PFS’s “A Guide to Personal Financial Planning”: Assessing the Essentials of Modern Financial Planning
In the ever-evolving landscape of financial planning, it’s crucial to move beyond the traditional focus on financial capital alone. A comprehensive approach must integrate human capital strategies and personal values assessments, recognising the broader context of an individual's life. Let’s explore whether the PFS guide effectively incorporates these critical components. Does the Guide Include Personal … Continue reading Review of PFS’s “A Guide to Personal Financial Planning”: Assessing the Essentials of Modern Financial Planning
Understanding and Accessing the Akashic Records
The Akashic Records are often described as a spiritual database or a "library of the soul." Imagine it as a timeless, universal storehouse of information, containing details about every thought, emotion, experience, and intention you have ever had—not just in this life but across all lifetimes. Whether you’re looking for guidance on your life path, … Continue reading Understanding and Accessing the Akashic Records
The Opioid Epidemic and Financial Advice: A Tale of Misaligned Incentives
When we look at the opioid epidemic in the United States, it’s impossible to ignore how financial incentives played a destructive role. Pharmaceutical companies encouraged doctors to prescribe painkillers like OxyContin, offering them financial rewards, such as bonuses, speaking fees, and perks, based on how much they prescribed. This model put profits above patient care, … Continue reading The Opioid Epidemic and Financial Advice: A Tale of Misaligned Incentives
Will Technology Create More Time for Advisers to Connect with Clients: Will Future Advisers Be Selling Products or Focusing on Planning?
In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, the role of a financial adviser is undergoing significant shifts, thanks to technology. Yet, the key question remains: Will technology truly create more time for advisers to connect with their clients? Let’s unpack this with an eye on where we stand today and what the future might hold. Advisers … Continue reading Will Technology Create More Time for Advisers to Connect with Clients: Will Future Advisers Be Selling Products or Focusing on Planning?
Academy of Life Planning 