The headline says “future-focused, technology-neutral”.But one quiet line matters more than most people will notice: “It builds on earlier AI Lab and AI Sprint work.” That tells us something important. The FCA has mainly explored AI inside institutions —product development, operational tooling, regulated firm use-cases. That’s understandable.It’s what regulators can see.It’s what firms bring to … Continue reading The FCA’s new AI review deserves careful reading — not hot takes.
Author: Steve Conley
Steve Conley brings over four decades of innovation and expertise to the forefront of financial planning. As the founder and driving force behind the Academy of Life Planning and HapNav Ltd, Steve has been a pivotal figure in transforming financial services to be more democratic and decentralised. His role as a Game Plan Practitioner, Coach, Mentor, Speaker, and Author of "Your Money or Your Life: Unmask the Highway Robbers - Enjoy Wealth in Every Area of Your Life" underlines his comprehensive approach to financial education.
The Academy of Life Planning, hailed as the "Most Pioneering Financial Planner Network," reflects Steve's commitment to fostering transparency, integrity, and accessibility. This institution serves as a testament to his dedication to enhancing the financial planning landscape.
Under Steve's innovative leadership, HapNav Ltd has launched groundbreaking advancements, including the first end-user financial planning app integrated with open banking. This app guides users towards achieving 'Kokoro'—a life rich in financial, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual abundance.
Recently, Steve introduced "Planning My Life" and "Financial Life Coach"—services that extend his ethos into practical, impactful tools for financial autonomy. "Planning My Life" offers an affordable subscription model, giving members access to an AI Life Planner, comprehensive resources, and expert insights. These initiatives epitomise Steve’s commitment to empowering individuals, nurturing community growth, and contributing significantly to global efforts to eradicate poverty.
Steve's journey is more than a career; it's a steadfast crusade to revolutionise financial education and planning, creating a world where financial wellbeing is not just attainable, but enriches every aspect of our lives. Contact steve.conley@aolp.co.uk.
When You Can’t Afford a Solicitor — But You Still Need a Voice
Most people assume that if they’re in a dispute with a large institution — a bank, insurer, employer, pension provider — they have only two options: Hire a solicitor they can’t afford Give up and comply There is a third path.And it doesn’t involve litigation. At the Academy of Life Planning, we see this every … Continue reading When You Can’t Afford a Solicitor — But You Still Need a Voice
AI Didn’t Kill Work. It Killed the Old Map.
The debate about AI, work, and Universal Basic Income is accelerating. Government briefings. Think-tank papers. Media panic cycles. This week, the Institute of Economic Affairs reported that ministers are again exploring Universal Basic Income (UBI), driven by fears that AI will lead to mass unemployment. As Kristian Niemietz rightly points out, history doesn’t support that … Continue reading AI Didn’t Kill Work. It Killed the Old Map.
Investing in Human Capital: Why the Harder Route Often Creates the Greatest Wealth
Most people think of investing as something you do with money. But in Total Wealth Planning, the most powerful investments are often made before financial capital even shows up. They’re made in Human Capital—and more specifically, in what leading thinkers now describe as Transformational Assets. What Are Transformational Assets? London Business School describes Transformational Assets … Continue reading Investing in Human Capital: Why the Harder Route Often Creates the Greatest Wealth
Lessons You Learn When You Become a Total Wealth Planner
What human capital theory gets right — and what it misses For many financial planners, the early years of practice are shaped by a simple equation: More qualifications → better outcomes → better lives That logic feels solid. It is rooted in decades of human capital theory, where education, skills, and credentials are treated as … Continue reading Lessons You Learn When You Become a Total Wealth Planner
Life Planning Has Outgrown Its Original Frame
A bridge-safe reflection for planners sensing the next step For many planners, life planning began as a profound shift. A move away from product talk.A deeper conversation.A focus on meaning, freedom, and what really matters to the client. For some, that training was genuinely life-changing. It restored dignity to the profession and reminded us why … Continue reading Life Planning Has Outgrown Its Original Frame
The £10 Billion Question: Is “Ongoing Advice” Still Fit for a World That Changes Daily?
The UK financial advice profession is facing a quiet but profound contradiction. According to the Financial Conduct Authority, around 4 million clients currently pay for ongoing advice. Together, they generate an estimated £8–10 billion a year in fees—around 80% of total adviser-charge revenue. On the surface, this suggests a healthy, sustainable model. Look closer, and … Continue reading The £10 Billion Question: Is “Ongoing Advice” Still Fit for a World That Changes Daily?
Why Human Capital Is Quietly Reshaping the Future of Financial Planning
Most financial planners were trained to focus on capital.Portfolios. Products. Structures. Optimisation. But a lesser-discussed body of economic research points to a deeper truth: Wealth is ultimately created by people, not by products. A classic (but still relevant) study on the significance of human capital for economic growth makes this explicit: physical and financial capital … Continue reading Why Human Capital Is Quietly Reshaping the Future of Financial Planning
When Financial Education Stops — and Responsibility Begins
Most financial innovation cycles follow a familiar pattern. New ideas emerge.Confidence rises.Education accelerates.Narratives spread faster than understanding. This is not a criticism. It’s how progress has always unfolded — from railways to dot-coms to structured finance to today’s digital assets and alternative investments. The problem isn’t innovation. The problem is what happens after the confidence … Continue reading When Financial Education Stops — and Responsibility Begins
Standing at the Bridge:
Why Human Capital Is Pulling Financial Planning Beyond Its Old Limits Most financial planners were trained in a world where capital meant money, assets, and structures. But a growing body of research — including a widely cited study on the Significance of Human Capital for Economic Growth — points to a quieter truth: Financial capital … Continue reading Standing at the Bridge:
Academy of Life Planning 