Case Study: Mick Jackson's Human Capital Development Journey From Redundancy to Resilience: A New Chapter in Retirement Planning Mick Jackson, a 52-year-old office manager, finds himself at a crossroads when he receives a redundancy notice. For over a decade, Mick had thrived in his £60,000-a-year role, but advancements in technology rendered his team unnecessary, leaving … Continue reading From Redundancy to Resilience
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.
Phased Retirement: Your Next Chapter as a Financial Planner
At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe retirement doesn’t have to mean walking away from the career you’ve built overnight. Instead, it can be a gradual and meaningful transition into the next chapter of your professional life. That’s why we offer a phased retirement option for owners of financial advice firms who are considering … Continue reading Phased Retirement: Your Next Chapter as a Financial Planner
Why We Need a Wall Between Advice and Product Sales to Protect Investors
When it comes to protecting your hard-earned money, one of the biggest concerns today is the rise of scammers and fraudsters. These criminals target financial firms, often through "clone attacks," where they mimic legitimate companies to trick people into handing over their money. This is exactly why we need a clear wall between financial advice … Continue reading Why We Need a Wall Between Advice and Product Sales to Protect Investors
The Academy: A Safe Haven for Holistic Financial Planners Seeking a New Chapter
If you're a financial adviser, you may have felt the growing pressure—mounting regulations, outdated technology, and the temptation (or necessity) to sell out to a consolidator. It’s an all-too-familiar story. But what if there’s another path forward? One that allows you to continue doing what you love, with a better work-life balance and potentially the … Continue reading The Academy: A Safe Haven for Holistic Financial Planners Seeking a New Chapter
Consolidators Are Killing Off Financial Planning: Is the Future at Risk?
The financial planning industry is undergoing a silent transformation, one that threatens its very essence. Private equity-backed consolidators are swooping in, buying up smaller, boutique financial planning firms that traditionally place more emphasis on client-centric planning than on the mere management of assets. What this creates is a worrying shift: the disappearance of true financial … Continue reading Consolidators Are Killing Off Financial Planning: Is the Future at Risk?
Financial Planning: Filling the Gap Left by Financial Advice
The financial services landscape in the UK has seen significant shifts over the last few decades, but one critical mistake has caused lasting damage: the failure to recognise the difference between financial planning and financial advice. It’s a mistake that has led to a significant "planning gap" – a void in the services offered to … Continue reading Financial Planning: Filling the Gap Left by Financial Advice
Paving the Way: A Professional Pathway for Aspiring Financial Planners
When we talk about financial planning, many people think of it as synonymous with financial advice. But in reality, they are two distinct disciplines, with financial planning offering a much broader, person-centred approach. As the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) puts it: “A financial planner focuses on you – your goals, your aspirations, … Continue reading Paving the Way: A Professional Pathway for Aspiring Financial Planners
Discover who you are and why you’re here, by Steve Conley
Question: “Subject: Who is Steve Conley? Hi Steve, I haven’t gone mad, but do you think you should put something out there about you ... No one who doesn’t know you, knows anything about you and what drives you to be the changemaker. Your story is an important one. Just a thought Steve… only a … Continue reading Discover who you are and why you’re here, by Steve Conley
The Trusted Adviser Project: From Industry to Profession
Tell me, do you ever wish financial planning was seen more as a profession—and less of a product sales-driven industry? Maybe you’ve spent years building assets under management, and recurring revenue makes up most of your earnings. But now, with the FCA raising concerns about whether ongoing advice is even relevant for 90% of the … Continue reading The Trusted Adviser Project: From Industry to Profession
Take Control of Your Retirement Finances with HapNav
Are you feeling confused about pensions? If so, you’re not alone. Recent research reveals that nearly three in five Britons (56%) find pensions complicated and difficult to navigate. This confusion often leads to anxiety, with almost half (45%) of those yet to retire avoiding retirement planning altogether. These feelings of uncertainty are compounded by a … Continue reading Take Control of Your Retirement Finances with HapNav
Academy of Life Planning 