By Steve Conley, Founder of the Academy of Life Planning The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is turning up the heat on financial advice firms that have been sold to consolidators — particularly those backed by private equity (PE) and loaded with offshore debt. Their latest review reveals a complex web of ownership structures, high-risk borrowing, … Continue reading The Hidden Risks Behind Consolidated Advice Firms – What You Need to Know
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.
Your Money or Your Life: The Great Advice Review Scam
How the FCA Let “Coffee and Cake” Count as Compliance 🕯️ For the everyday investors who thought they were paying for peace of mind, not pastries in a Tesco car park. The Injustice Unmasked Imagine being charged thousands every year for “ongoing financial advice” only to find out that bumping into your adviser in a … Continue reading Your Money or Your Life: The Great Advice Review Scam
Holistic Wealth Planners: The Financial Concierge for a Borderless World
As high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) continue to leave the UK in significant numbers, traditional financial advisers face an increasingly complex challenge: maintaining trusted relationships across borders in a tightly regulated landscape. Recent data from Savory & Partners reveals a sharp uptick in UK relocation enquiries following the Autumn 2024 Budget, with destinations such as the UAE, … Continue reading Holistic Wealth Planners: The Financial Concierge for a Borderless World
Human Capital: The Catalyst for Economic Renewal — and How the GAME Plan Can Unlock It
By Steve Conley | April 2025 | Academy of Life Planning As governments worldwide grapple with economic volatility, rising inequality, and dwindling fiscal room, one resource stands above all others in determining a nation’s future: its people. More than natural resources, infrastructure, or foreign investment, it is the human capital endowment—the skills, health, knowledge, and … Continue reading Human Capital: The Catalyst for Economic Renewal — and How the GAME Plan Can Unlock It
When Justice Protects Itself: The Case for Institutional Accountability in the Face of Financial Fraud
By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning In any society that calls itself just, the legal system exists to serve the people — to uphold the principles of fairness, truth, and accountability. But what happens when that same system retreats behind its own walls, prioritising institutional self-preservation over the public interest? The story of Helen … Continue reading When Justice Protects Itself: The Case for Institutional Accountability in the Face of Financial Fraud
When Capital Is Stolen: Reclaiming Our Wealth in a Corrupted System
We often think of wealth in terms of money—assets to be accumulated, preserved, crystallised, and eventually passed on. These financial capital cycles are well understood in traditional financial planning. But at the Academy of Life Planning, we know that our true wealth runs much deeper. It lives in our human capital—the physical, mental, emotional, and … Continue reading When Capital Is Stolen: Reclaiming Our Wealth in a Corrupted System
Proper Planning or Partial Planning? Why Holistic Wealth Planning Is the Financial Advice Our Clients Deserve
By Steve Conley, Founder – Academy of Life Planning In response to a recent conversation on LinkedIn, I feel compelled to clarify a common misconception: that holistic wealth planning, such as that offered through the GAME Plan, is an optional extra—a “Rolls Royce service” only for the few. In truth, it is financial planning done … Continue reading Proper Planning or Partial Planning? Why Holistic Wealth Planning Is the Financial Advice Our Clients Deserve
FCA’s 2025/26 Plan: Is Consumer Protection Still the Priority?
By Steve ConleyFounder, Academy of Life Planning The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has released its Annual Work Programme for 2025/26, promising smarter regulation, support for innovation, and measures to help consumers navigate the financial system. But behind the strategic headlines, a deep concern remains: Is the FCA still serving consumers — or is it now … Continue reading FCA’s 2025/26 Plan: Is Consumer Protection Still the Priority?
Future-Proofing Support for Families with Special Needs: Lessons from Dave Robinson
By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning Planning for the future of a loved one with special needs is not just about securing finances—it's about creating dignity, independence, and peace of mind for everyone involved. In his insightful presentation, “Advising Families of Those with Special Needs”, Dave Robinson shared powerful guidance from decades of experience—as … Continue reading Future-Proofing Support for Families with Special Needs: Lessons from Dave Robinson
🎉 Big News! Planning My Life is now FREE! 🎉
We’re thrilled to announce that Planning My Life—the groundbreaking platform helping people reclaim control of their finances and future—is now completely free to join. That’s right. No subscription. No barriers. Just real tools for real people who are ready to take back their financial independence. 🔹 Planning My Life: Reclaim Your Financial Independence & Shape … Continue reading 🎉 Big News! Planning My Life is now FREE! 🎉
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