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 Future of Financial Planning: Will Non-Intermediating Models Overtake Traditional Advisers?

Introduction The financial planning landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, with traditional intermediating financial planners facing increasing pressure on multiple fronts. A recent study by NextWealth reveals a decline in advice fees for the first time in five years, from 2% to 1.75%. This comes at a time when the cost of doing business remains … Continue reading The Future of Financial Planning: Will Non-Intermediating Models Overtake Traditional Advisers? →

The Urgent Need for Trust and Transparency in Financial Services

By Steve Conley, Founder of the Academy of Life Planning Recent research by LiveMore has laid bare a concerning reality: nearly 59% of people between the ages of 50 and 79 mistrust financial services providers. This statistic is not just a number; it represents individuals whose lives are being negatively impacted by a lack of … Continue reading The Urgent Need for Trust and Transparency in Financial Services →

Unmasking Highway Robbers: The Urgent Need for Financial Transparency and Integrity

By Steve Conley, Founder of the Academy of Life Planning and Author of "Your Money or Your Life: Unmask the Highway Robbers – Enjoy Wealth in Every Area of Your Life" Yesterday evening, I had the eye-opening experience of participating in the Transparency Taskforce webinar, aptly titled "How Some IFAs Steal Pensions with Impunity." The … Continue reading Unmasking Highway Robbers: The Urgent Need for Financial Transparency and Integrity →

Challenging the Fear Narrative: A Balanced Look at Pension Planning for the Self-Employed

Introduction Recent research suggests that one in three self-employed individuals lack a pension plan, sparking concerns about their financial future. While the data is indeed thought-provoking, it's crucial to examine the broader context. This article aims to provide a balanced perspective on pension planning, particularly for the self-employed, and challenges the fear-driven narrative that often … Continue reading Challenging the Fear Narrative: A Balanced Look at Pension Planning for the Self-Employed →

MosaicCFO Hub: Your Financial Architect for a Holistic Future

Introduction Welcome to another exciting chapter in the journey of the Academy of Life Planning! We're thrilled to introduce you to our latest innovation: the MosaicCFO Hub. This service is designed to be your Financial Architect, a role that brings together a collaborative panel of experts to construct a comprehensive financial blueprint for our clients. … Continue reading MosaicCFO Hub: Your Financial Architect for a Holistic Future →

The Rising Asset Thresholds: A Wake-Up Call for Financial Planning Industry

Introduction The financial planning landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. Intermediating financial planners are raising their investable asset thresholds, leaving a growing number of clients in the lurch. This change is driven by increasing regulatory costs and the need to demonstrate value-for-money under Consumer Duty assessments. But is this strategy sustainable, or is it a … Continue reading The Rising Asset Thresholds: A Wake-Up Call for Financial Planning Industry →

The Two Sides of Financial Planning: A Tale of Sleepless Nights and Peaceful Retirements

In the world of financial planning, there are two distinct camps: those who sleep soundly at night and those who toss and turn, haunted by future liabilities. The difference often boils down to one word: intermediation. The Self-Directing Financial Planner On one side, we have financial planners who empower their clients to self-direct their portfolios. … Continue reading The Two Sides of Financial Planning: A Tale of Sleepless Nights and Peaceful Retirements →

The Unveiled Reality of Pension Allowance Charges: A Shift Towards Sustainable Livelihoods

The Surge in Pension Allowance Charges: A Wake-Up Call Recent HMRC data has laid bare a startling truth: pension allowance charges have skyrocketed. The figures for the tax year 2021/22 reveal that annual allowance charges surged to £335mn, a significant leap from £202mn in the previous year. The Taxman's Response: A Band-Aid Solution In an … Continue reading The Unveiled Reality of Pension Allowance Charges: A Shift Towards Sustainable Livelihoods →