For everyone who’s ever been told to trust the system—then left to suffer when it broke them. Let’s get one thing straight: the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is supposed to protect you.That’s not a polite suggestion. It’s the law. Their primary objective is clear: consumer protection.The secondary one? Economic growth. That means you come first.But … Continue reading Whose Side Are They Really On? When “Protection” Becomes a Performance
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 Horse and Cart to Ferrari: The Evolution from Traditional Financial Planning to Holistic Wealth Planning
By Steve ConleyFounder, Academy of Life Planning What’s the difference between traditional financial planning and holistic wealth planning? It’s a question I’m often asked, and the answer is both simple and profound. Andy Agathangelou, founder of the Transparency Taskforce and a lifelong veteran of the financial services industry, once described our work together in a … Continue reading From Horse and Cart to Ferrari: The Evolution from Traditional Financial Planning to Holistic Wealth Planning
Is the FCA Leadership Upholding Integrity – or Undermining It Through the Growth Agenda?
By Steve Conley, Founder of the Academy of Life Planning Integrity is more than a word etched into the FCA’s code of conduct—it is the cornerstone of trust in the financial system. Yet, recent FCA court cases, set against the backdrop of a government-mandated growth agenda, raise a troubling question: Is the FCA’s leadership still … Continue reading Is the FCA Leadership Upholding Integrity – or Undermining It Through the Growth Agenda?
Your Money or Your Life: The Exodus They Didn’t See Coming
For every wealth creator pushed out by policy dressed as justice. And for the rest of us left to pay the price. What happens when ideology trumps intelligence? When a tax policy aimed at fairness ends up costing billions? When you chase the rich away, only to find the till empty? You get Britain in … Continue reading Your Money or Your Life: The Exodus They Didn’t See Coming
🧇 The Weekly Waffle – Academy Town Hall Highlights April 4th 2025 📅
Story of the Week 🔥 Take Back the Power: Plan Your Life, Not Just Your Money 💥🧭At the Academy of Life Planning, we don’t sell dreams—we ignite them. 💡 Our GAME Plan flips the script on traditional finance, proving that 90% of people can be their own life and wealth planner with the right tools and support. Whether … Continue reading 🧇 The Weekly Waffle – Academy Town Hall Highlights April 4th 2025 📅
Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant: Uncovering Hidden Loyalties in the British Justice System
By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning In a democracy, justice must not only be done—it must be seen to be done. Yet in the United Kingdom, credible voices are raising a chilling concern: that certain decisions in our justice system may be quietly swayed by hidden fraternities and old loyalties, rather than fairness and … Continue reading Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant: Uncovering Hidden Loyalties in the British Justice System
Your Money or Your Life: The Great ISA Heist
In defence of the ordinary saver—and against the captured State. They’re at it again. Just when you thought your savings were safe, Chancellor Rachel Reeves bows to the City fat cats on Cannon Street. With the smug blessing of the lobbying elite, she’s plotting to shift your hard-earned savings from the relative safety of banks … Continue reading Your Money or Your Life: The Great ISA Heist
Why Networks Are Wrong to Block ARs from Running Generic IFA Side Hustles
In the UK, networks of financial advisers are increasingly pushing back against appointed representative (AR) firms looking to run side ventures offering generic independent financial advice (IFA) services. The standard objection? “It’s a compliance risk.” The reasoning? These activities lie in the blurry borderlands of the FCA perimeter and detract from the focus on the … Continue reading Why Networks Are Wrong to Block ARs from Running Generic IFA Side Hustles
Schroders Shifts Focus to Advised Channel: A New Era for Financial Advice?
By Steve Conley | Academy of Life Planning In a notable strategic pivot, Schroders has pulled back from its direct-to-consumer (D2C) ambitions, doubling down on its commitment to the advised channel through Benchmark Capital. This move is not just a tactical adjustment—it could reshape the economics of financial advice in the UK. The rationale is … Continue reading Schroders Shifts Focus to Advised Channel: A New Era for Financial Advice?
From Earnings to Impact: Redefining Human Capital through Holistic Wealth Planning
From Earnings to Impact: Redefining Human Capital through Holistic Wealth Planning By Steve Conley In the conventional world of financial planning, human capital is often reduced to a mathematical abstraction—the present value of future earnings. This narrow view, rooted in neoclassical economic thought, fails to capture the full spectrum of human potential and the expansive … Continue reading From Earnings to Impact: Redefining Human Capital through Holistic Wealth Planning
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