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.

From the Top Down: How Jes Staley’s Barclays Culture Harmed Customers — And Why We Need Empowerment Models Now

When regulators finally banned Ex-Barclays CEO Jes Staley from senior management in June 2025, it was presented as proof that integrity matters at the top of financial services. The FCA found that Staley misled them over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, approving letters that downplayed their closeness and contact timeline. The Upper Tribunal agreed he … Continue reading From the Top Down: How Jes Staley’s Barclays Culture Harmed Customers — And Why We Need Empowerment Models Now →

Wealth Beyond Money: Why Human Capabilities Matter More Than Capital

For too long, financial planning has been trapped in a narrow frame: wealth as numbers on a balance sheet, capital as assets to be managed, and success as market returns. But what if we’ve been missing the bigger picture all along? The truth is simple yet profound: wealth is not just financial capital – it’s … Continue reading Wealth Beyond Money: Why Human Capabilities Matter More Than Capital →

Why Now? Why Financial Planners Must Switch from Extraction to Empowerment

The financial planning profession stands at a crossroads. For decades, the dominant model has been extraction—advisers taking a percentage of client assets under management, year after year, regardless of whether real value was delivered. But a profound shift is under way, and those who fail to adapt risk being left behind. The Great Wealth Transfer … Continue reading Why Now? Why Financial Planners Must Switch from Extraction to Empowerment →

When Bankers Betray Trust: Why Structural Change is Needed

Sometimes I’m accused of being disingenuous when I say, “bankers in general can’t be trusted.” People hear it as a sweeping statement, unfair to the many good people working in finance. Then stories like this one come along. This week, former Co-operative Bank chairman Paul Flowers was ordered by the CPS to repay £184,862 to … Continue reading When Bankers Betray Trust: Why Structural Change is Needed →

Regulators Retreat, Empowerment Must Rise

When the UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, told private equity bosses she plans to “take out more regulators,” she was clear: oversight is no longer a priority. Growth is. In recent months, Reeves has: Sacked the Chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Shut down the Payments Regulator, “Severely constrained” the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), … Continue reading Regulators Retreat, Empowerment Must Rise →

AI for the Treasury vs. AI for the People: Why Justice Must Be Bottom-Up

This week, the UK government announced that a new AI tool helped recover nearly £500 million lost to fraud in just one year. Ministers hailed it as the largest anti-fraud clawback ever achieved, with savings now earmarked for public services. On the surface, this is good news. It proves something important: AI works in the … Continue reading AI for the Treasury vs. AI for the People: Why Justice Must Be Bottom-Up →

Lies, Damn Lies, and Advice Statistics

It’s no secret that regulated financial advisers tend to target a very specific group of people: wealthy delegators. These are often older clients, time-poor but asset-rich, who are happy to pay for someone else to manage their finances. As long as their portfolios grow ahead of inflation and their lifestyle feels secure, they are unlikely … Continue reading Lies, Damn Lies, and Advice Statistics →

Human Capital: The Hidden Wealth Planners Can’t Afford to Ignore

A recent study (Human Capital: The Tool for Economic Growth and Development, Dr. Mahesh U. Daru) offers profound lessons for those of us committed to holistic wealth planning. Its insights confirm what many of us already sense: true wealth lies not only in money, but in people. 1. Human Capital is the Core Asset The … Continue reading Human Capital: The Hidden Wealth Planners Can’t Afford to Ignore →

Beyond the Three Questions: Towards a Fuller Life Planning Practice

Recently, a colleague in Italy raised an important concern: many advisers are well-trained in offering financial solutions, yet not sufficiently equipped to help clients truly discover their goals and purpose. Without clarity at this stage, even the most technically sound financial plan risks being “a good solution to the wrong problem.” This challenge is not … Continue reading Beyond the Three Questions: Towards a Fuller Life Planning Practice →