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.

The Call for an Impartial Financial Education Hub

In the ever-evolving landscape of financial education, there is an increasing call for the creation of a centralised educational hub. This hub aims to bridge the gap between financial influencers (finfluencers) and financial firms, ensuring that the public receives accurate, unbiased financial education. However, for this initiative to succeed, it is imperative to maintain a … Continue reading The Call for an Impartial Financial Education Hub →

Financial Planning is a Profession, Financial Intermediation is an Industry: Why the CII and PFS are in Trouble

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and the Personal Finance Society (PFS) have long stood as pillars in the world of financial services. Yet, their recent struggles indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of the evolving landscape of financial planning and intermediation. As a Chartered Insurer since 1989 and a Chartered Financial Planner since 2017, I have witnessed … Continue reading Financial Planning is a Profession, Financial Intermediation is an Industry: Why the CII and PFS are in Trouble →

Retire from Work You Dislike, Not from Meaningful Projects You Love

Recent research from Medius reported in FT Adviser has highlighted a significant trend within the financial sector: almost three quarters (72 per cent) of finance professionals in the UK are actively seeking jobs outside their current field. Moreover, 75 per cent would not recommend a career in finance to Generation Z, attributing this sentiment to … Continue reading Retire from Work You Dislike, Not from Meaningful Projects You Love →

Evolving Financial Advisers: The AI Revolution at the 2024 Artificial Intelligence in Financial Advice Conference

LONDON, July 10, 2024 – Gather round, dear financial advisers, as we delve into the delightful dystopia unveiled at the 2024 Artificial Intelligence in Financial Advice conference today. Held at the charmingly impersonal Pullman Hotel in London, the event revealed a future where half of the advisers aged 58 and above are frantically plotting their … Continue reading Evolving Financial Advisers: The AI Revolution at the 2024 Artificial Intelligence in Financial Advice Conference →

The Misconceptions in Investment Terminology: Clarifying the Roles and Responsibilities

As founder of my own financial planning business and a former head of investments at several banks, I have observed a troubling trend: the pervasive confusion and misuse of key financial terms. This miscommunication is not always intentional, but it is certainly problematic, particularly when it comes to regulated retail investments. The overemphasis on selling … Continue reading The Misconceptions in Investment Terminology: Clarifying the Roles and Responsibilities →

The Great British Financial Adviser Dilemma: An Ode to Overload and Obsolescence

Ah, the United Kingdom, land of tea, crumpets, and, apparently, a grossly overburdened financial advisory sector. Let's break this down: with 28 million households and a whopping 28,000 financial advisers, each managing a maximum of 100 clients, only a mere 10% of households are graced with ongoing financial services. Yes, just 10%. That leaves 90% … Continue reading The Great British Financial Adviser Dilemma: An Ode to Overload and Obsolescence →

Beware the Pension Pitfall: When DIY Turns to Disaster

Listen up, folks! Your pension pot is probably your single biggest investment, and who wouldn't want to take control of that? But, before you get all giddy about self-invested personal pensions (Sipps) putting you "in the driving seat," let me hit the brakes and steer you back to reality. Just ask Stuart James. One minute, … Continue reading Beware the Pension Pitfall: When DIY Turns to Disaster →

Embracing Holistic Financial Planning for a Healthier, Longer Life

Financial planning has traditionally been synonymous with product intermediation, focusing primarily on the sales of financial products and requiring a sales license. However, there is a transformative shift occurring in the financial planning landscape: the rise of holistic financial planning. Unlike traditional financial planning, holistic financial planning does not involve selling financial products. Instead, it … Continue reading Embracing Holistic Financial Planning for a Healthier, Longer Life →

Exploring the Role of Spirituality in Financial Life Planning: Key Findings

In the evolving landscape of financial life planning (FLP), the integration of spirituality has emerged as a significant factor influencing the effectiveness of client engagements. A recent dissertation titled "Assessing Spirituality in Financial Life Planning", by Stephen C. Brody, offers a comprehensive analysis of this topic, revealing critical insights into how spirituality shapes the FLP … Continue reading Exploring the Role of Spirituality in Financial Life Planning: Key Findings →