Why the Mansion House Accord Smells Like Pension Mis-Selling on a Massive Scale Imagine if a regulated financial adviser recommended a client invest billions into high-risk, opaque assets—without a clear evidence base, performance history, or full disclosure of costs. They’d be hauled before the regulator. But when the government does it, it’s labelled a “growth … Continue reading Our Pensions Are Not the Government’s Piggy Bank
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.
Broken Promises, Buried Truths: Where Is the Government’s Duty of Candour?
The UK government has officially missed its own deadline to introduce the long-promised Hillsborough Law, which includes a statutory duty of candour—a legal obligation for public officials to tell the truth during court proceedings and public inquiries. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had pledged to enact this legislation by 15 April 2025, marking the 36th anniversary … Continue reading Broken Promises, Buried Truths: Where Is the Government’s Duty of Candour?
Time for a U-Turn: Why We Must Police Finance, Not Deregulate It
By Steve ConleyFounder, Academy of Life Planning The UK government’s Mansion House reforms, dressed in the language of “growth,” are taking us down a dangerous road—a road paved not with prosperity, but with exploitation. Deregulating the financial industry, while cybercriminals and fraudsters prey on even our wealthiest citizens, is akin to dismantling fire stations during … Continue reading Time for a U-Turn: Why We Must Police Finance, Not Deregulate It
Systemic Elitism: The Silent Engine Behind Financial Injustice
By Steve Conley | Academy of Life Planning "If you're not at the table, you're probably on the menu." For decades, the financial system has carefully cultivated the illusion of fairness, accountability, and oversight. But behind the curtain lies a truth that few dare to say aloud: a small, self-reinforcing elite has captured both the … Continue reading Systemic Elitism: The Silent Engine Behind Financial Injustice
Who Gets a Seat at the Table? ISA Review Must Not Be Industry-Only
By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning The government is preparing to host a roundtable to kick off its long-awaited review of the Individual Savings Account (ISA) system. According to reports from Citywire New Model Adviser, the Treasury has invited a select group of ISA providers and “other stakeholders” to shape the future of … Continue reading Who Gets a Seat at the Table? ISA Review Must Not Be Industry-Only
Faith, Finance & the Fine Line Between Integrity and Exploitation
By Steve Conley There is a vital difference between religiosity and spirituality—a distinction too often overlooked in professions built on trust. Where religiosity can cloak itself in labels, rituals, and appearances, spirituality speaks in the language of kindness, conscience, and authenticity. In financial planning, this distinction is not merely semantic—it’s the line between service and … Continue reading Faith, Finance & the Fine Line Between Integrity and Exploitation
Your Money or Your Life: When Will We Ever Learn?
In memory of every life dismantled by a promise that turned into a penalty. I was in Westminster yesterday. Not as a politician. Not as a pundit. But as a witness. A witness to pain—raw, articulate, and unforgiving. A room filled with victims of financial betrayal, footballers among them, still picking up the pieces after … Continue reading Your Money or Your Life: When Will We Ever Learn?
“Betrayed Twice: The Parliamentary Voices of Investment Fraud Victims”
By Steve Conley | Academy of Life Planning They came in numbers, filling a packed parliamentary committee room. Survivors of investment fraud—no longer silent—stood up to expose a national scandal. These were not reckless speculators. They were miners, footballers, nurses, and families who trusted regulated advice, government-approved investments, and the rule of law. And they … Continue reading “Betrayed Twice: The Parliamentary Voices of Investment Fraud Victims”
Restoring Justice, Rebuilding Lives: A New Era for Victims of Financial Crime
Fraud is no longer a peripheral issue. It is now the single largest category of crime in the UK, accounting for nearly 40% of all reported offences and costing society an estimated £6.8 billion per year. While the scale of the crisis grows, prosecutions remain rare, and victims are too often left to suffer alone—without … Continue reading Restoring Justice, Rebuilding Lives: A New Era for Victims of Financial Crime
Justice & Recovery Hub: Turning Tragedy into a Movement for Change
Today’s Sunday Times shares the heartbreaking story of Colin Chudley, a 68-year-old man driven to despair after losing his entire life savings—£260,000—to a sophisticated and coercive financial scam. Despite his efforts to recover, Colin was overwhelmed by the stress and died suddenly while canoeing, just weeks after the fraud was uncovered. Colin’s story is tragically … Continue reading Justice & Recovery Hub: Turning Tragedy into a Movement for Change
Academy of Life Planning 