Government consultations are supposed to give voice to all stakeholders. In practice, however, they tilt heavily towards those with the deepest pockets. Market participants — asset managers, pension providers, and financial institutions — routinely spend client money lobbying for policy changes that serve their commercial interests. Consumers, meanwhile, are largely absent from the debate. Why? … Continue reading Captured Consultations: Why Pension Policy Ignores Human Capital
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.
Spoofing Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Yourself
Technology has given us convenience, but it has also given criminals new ways to trick us. One of the fastest-growing threats today is number spoofing – where fraudsters manipulate caller IDs or text sender details to impersonate trusted organisations like your bank, HMRC, or even the police. Which? recently highlighted that four in ten adults … Continue reading Spoofing Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Yourself
Downsizing Protection: How Families Can Preserve the Residence Nil Rate Band
For many families, the family home is their largest asset. But what happens if that home is sold — perhaps to fund care fees in later life? Does the family lose valuable inheritance tax protection? Thankfully, the rules include something called downsizing protection that ensures families aren’t penalised for making difficult decisions. Understanding the Residence … Continue reading Downsizing Protection: How Families Can Preserve the Residence Nil Rate Band
Human Capital: The Hidden Multiplier of Wealth
One of the most powerful findings in modern economics is also one of the simplest: human capital amplifies everything. A landmark study by Erosa, Koreshkova, and Restuccia shows that differences in human capital explain far more of the world’s income inequality than raw productivity or financial resources alone. In fact, a modest 5-fold difference in … Continue reading Human Capital: The Hidden Multiplier of Wealth
🤖💬 AI & Client Data: What You Need to Know (Q&A)
By Steve Conley | Financial Life Coach | Academy of Life Planning As more tools like ChatGPT, Fathom, and other AI assistants become integrated into financial and legacy planning, clients are asking an important question: “Where does my data go—and is it safe?” In this short Q&A, I’ll walk you through exactly how client data … Continue reading 🤖💬 AI & Client Data: What You Need to Know (Q&A)
Who Owns “Financial Planning”? Lessons from the US, UK, and Canada
The meaning of financial planning has been contested for decades. Is it simply another name for regulated investment advice, or is it a broader discipline that integrates tax, estate, cashflow, and life strategies beyond product distribution? The regulatory landscape shows a consistent theme: financial planning is wider than investment intermediation, and it should not be … Continue reading Who Owns “Financial Planning”? Lessons from the US, UK, and Canada
🗣 Why Dissent Matters in Building True Consumer Protection
In a recent exchange about the make-up of consumer representation panels, one theme came through clearly: dissent is not welcome at the table. Applicants are advised to “toe the party line.” Those who might criticise are filtered out. The result? An echo chamber dressed up as governance. Peter Block, in Community: The Structure of Belonging, … Continue reading 🗣 Why Dissent Matters in Building True Consumer Protection
Weekend Essay: Angela Rayner and the Price of Not Seeking Advice
The resignation of Angela Rayner last week over a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) dispute has been described as one of the most dramatic political falls in recent years. Once tipped as Labour’s future leader, Rayner now finds herself relegated to the back benches—her career blighted not by scandalous intent, but by a failure to … Continue reading Weekend Essay: Angela Rayner and the Price of Not Seeking Advice
Human Capital First: How AoLP Turns Talents into Sustainable Livelihoods
Money follows people. The evidence keeps piling up: human capital—skills, health, creativity, values—drives long-run growth far more than physical or natural capital. Studies attribute ~64% of global growth to human capital, and show that in developed economies the return on human-capital investment is roughly 2× other investments. [Ref: The impact of stimulating the development of … Continue reading Human Capital First: How AoLP Turns Talents into Sustainable Livelihoods
Human Capital: The Missing Link in the Green Transition
“Wealth is not what you own, but what you grow—within yourself, your community, and your planet.” At the Academy of Life Planning (AoLP), we measure success not by profit alone, but by the quadruple bottom line: Purpose, People, Planet, and Profit. We also weigh SORI (Social Return on Investment) alongside ROI, recognising that real wealth … Continue reading Human Capital: The Missing Link in the Green Transition
Academy of Life Planning 