The firms regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) play a critical role as manufacturers and distributors of retail financial products. However, only 8% of the population can afford to access these services via intermediaries, leaving 92% underserved. This gap has led many distributors to explore new ways to reach this community, and artificial intelligence … Continue reading AI in Financial Services: A Double-Edged Sword for the Underserved
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.
Stamping Out Investment Fraud: The Case for Separating Advice and Product Sales
Investment fraud remains a serious problem, with millions of pounds lost to fraudsters every year. In the first half of 2024 alone, £56.4 million was stolen, despite a 29% drop in the number of investment scams compared to last year. While some progress has been made, the truth is, we're not moving fast enough. The … Continue reading Stamping Out Investment Fraud: The Case for Separating Advice and Product Sales
ChatGPT Remembers You! An Exploration of the New Memory Feature
In today’s fast-paced world, solo entrepreneurs are juggling countless tasks at once. It can be overwhelming to manage everything without missing a beat. That’s where AI tools like ChatGPT’s new memory feature come into play—a groundbreaking capability designed to remember key details from your previous conversations, making your work life smoother and more efficient. For … Continue reading ChatGPT Remembers You! An Exploration of the New Memory Feature
Human Capital Development: A Pathway to Financial Independence
With over 400,000 people facing cuts to their benefits, including those with mobility and mental health issues, it’s easy to feel like the system is failing us. Recent policy changes mean that many who were previously considered unfit for work will now be expected to seek employment, while seeing their financial support reduced. This is … Continue reading Human Capital Development: A Pathway to Financial Independence
Discover Your Core Values with the Schwartz Values Assessment: A Path to More Meaningful Life Decisions
Celebrating World Values Day 2024: Discover Your Core Values with the Schwartz Values Assessment Thursday, 17th October 2024 marks World Values Day, a day dedicated to celebrating and embracing the values that guide us. Values are the passions in our hearts, the motivations behind our actions, and the glue that binds us together as communities. … Continue reading Discover Your Core Values with the Schwartz Values Assessment: A Path to More Meaningful Life Decisions
The Finfluencer Dilemma: Navigating Social Media Advice Safely
In today’s digital age, social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are buzzing with financial tips and investment strategies from a new breed of content creators known as finfluencers. While it’s fantastic to see financial topics becoming more accessible, it’s crucial to understand the difference between information and advice. This distinction can help you … Continue reading The Finfluencer Dilemma: Navigating Social Media Advice Safely
The Rise in Scams: How Holistic Wealth Planners Offer a Refreshing Alternative
In today’s world, financial scams are alarmingly on the rise, affecting millions of people across the UK. In fact, recent research revealed that one in nine adults has lost money to a scam in the last year alone. That equates to over 6 million people losing an average of £1,111 each. And despite the growing … Continue reading The Rise in Scams: How Holistic Wealth Planners Offer a Refreshing Alternative
Become a Certified Holistic Wealth Planner (HWP®) with the Academy of Life Planning
Are you looking to make a real difference in the world of financial planning? At the Academy of Life Planning, we offer you the chance to take your career to the next level by becoming a certified Holistic Wealth Planner (HWP®). This certification goes beyond traditional financial advice, without product distribution, and empowers you to … Continue reading Become a Certified Holistic Wealth Planner (HWP®) with the Academy of Life Planning
Holistic Wealth Planning Advice Without Product Recommendations
The traditional financial advice model, long reliant on product recommendations, has failed to serve a large portion of the population. It’s outdated, restrictive, and neglects the broader needs of today’s diverse financial landscape. As the world evolves, so must our approach to wealth management. A holistic, comprehensive financial planning strategy that looks beyond investable assets … Continue reading Holistic Wealth Planning Advice Without Product Recommendations
Financial Planning is NOT Needs and Shortfall Analysis
Financial Planning is NOT Needs and Shortfall Analysis There’s a version of “financial planning” that dominates the financial services industry, but let’s be clear: this is not real financial planning. What I’m talking about is a relic from the insurance sales methods of the 1980s, where the sole focus was selling products under the guise … Continue reading Financial Planning is NOT Needs and Shortfall Analysis
Academy of Life Planning 