When Phil Wickenden says Hazel “put a clock on the economics of advice,” the key insight is this: Markets weren’t reacting to today’s AI. They were repricing the future business model of advice firms. The sell-off in St James’s Place, AJ Bell, Quilter, Aberdeen, LPL Financial, Raymond James, and Charles Schwab was not about revenue … Continue reading Altruist’s Hazel: What the Market Reaction Actually Means
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.
Do Your Clients Have a Plan for Their Children’s Future — or Just Their Inheritance?
Recent labour data from the Office for National Statistics confirms a trend advisers cannot afford to ignore: unemployment has climbed to 5.2%, the highest level in nearly five years, while wage growth is cooling. Young adults are disproportionately affected. In practical terms, that means more families quietly facing a reality many planners haven’t prepared them … Continue reading Do Your Clients Have a Plan for Their Children’s Future — or Just Their Inheritance?
The Hidden Growth Lever Small Advisory Firms Are Overlooking
Why human capital may be your most undervalued asset — and your most powerful competitive edge Small advisory firms with two to five registered individuals sit in a unique position. You are experienced enough to deliver real client value, yet often too lean to attract acquisition offers, private-equity investment, or platform partnerships. Many feel caught … Continue reading The Hidden Growth Lever Small Advisory Firms Are Overlooking
From Financial Planner to Total Wealth Planner
Why Success Today Can Blind You to Opportunity Tomorrow There’s a pattern emerging across the advice profession right now that deserves thoughtful attention — not alarm, not hype, just clarity. In recent conversations with advisers internationally, one theme keeps surfacing: many advisers are earning more than ever and working less than before — so change … Continue reading From Financial Planner to Total Wealth Planner
The AI Tipping Point for Financial Planners — And What Comes Next
A recent leader column in Money Marketing by Tom Browne captures a pivotal moment for the profession: artificial intelligence is already embedded in advice workflows, yet governance, training, and regulatory clarity are lagging behind. This isn’t a future trend. It’s a structural shift already underway. Below is a strategic reading of what the article signals … Continue reading The AI Tipping Point for Financial Planners — And What Comes Next
Why the Future of Financial Planning Belongs to Human Capital Thinkers
A strategic briefing for planners approaching the transition toward Total Wealth Planning The Hidden Asset Most Financial Plans Ignore Traditional financial planning models are built on a narrow definition of capital: money, markets, and measurable returns. Yet research shows that human prosperity is actually driven by a broader set of capabilities—health, cognition, emotional regulation, and … Continue reading Why the Future of Financial Planning Belongs to Human Capital Thinkers
The Regulation Illusion: Why “Authorised” Doesn’t Always Mean Lower Risk
Many thoughtful professionals share a common concern when considering whether to refer clients to a non-regulated financial planning service: “If it isn’t regulated, it must be riskier.” It’s an understandable conclusion. Regulation feels like protection. It signals oversight, standards, and accountability. But when examined through a professional risk lens rather than a psychological comfort lens, … Continue reading The Regulation Illusion: Why “Authorised” Doesn’t Always Mean Lower Risk
Only 19% Would Use an Adviser — Why This Headline Doesn’t Mean What the Industry Thinks
A new headline reported by Financial Planning Today claims that only 19% of people would use a financial adviser. Predictably, the industry response is already forming: we need more trust campaigns, more education about advice, more marketing to rebuild confidence. That interpretation is wrong. Not slightly wrong. Structurally wrong. Because the statistic is not a … Continue reading Only 19% Would Use an Adviser — Why This Headline Doesn’t Mean What the Industry Thinks
The Missing Asset in Most Financial Plans — And Why AI Is About to Expose It
If your financial plans don’t measure human capital, they’re not complete plans. They’re partial forecasts. For decades, traditional advice models have focused almost entirely on financial capital: pensions, ISAs, investments, protection products. That made sense in a world where modelling tools were limited and client data was sparse. But a growing body of research — … Continue reading The Missing Asset in Most Financial Plans — And Why AI Is About to Expose It
The Quiet Crossing: Why Respected Professionals Are Publicly Stepping Into Total Wealth Planning
There is a moment in every industry shift that rarely makes headlines. It isn’t when commentators predict change.It isn’t when technology launches.It isn’t even when regulators announce reforms. It’s when respected insiders begin moving — calmly, visibly, and without drama. That moment is now happening in financial planning. Across LinkedIn and professional forums, established practitioners … Continue reading The Quiet Crossing: Why Respected Professionals Are Publicly Stepping Into Total Wealth Planning
Academy of Life Planning 