Think the Advice-Guidance debate is just about FCA rules? Think again.There’s another line—less talked about, but just as important—the advice-guidance boundary outside the regulator’s reach. And it affects thousands of planners, coaches, and consumers every day. Let’s unpack what’s really going on. Inside vs Outside the Perimeter: What’s the Difference? In December 2024, the FCA … Continue reading Outside the Perimeter: What the FCA Isn’t Telling You About Financial Advice
Category: Uncategorized
Bonuses Before Basics: The SJP Scandal That’s Hiding in Plain Sight
If you ever needed proof that financial performance doesn’t always mean good value for clients, look no further than St. James’s Place (SJP). While their customers face eye-watering charges, poor-performing funds, and a mountain of adviser debt, those at the top are cashing in—big time. A Bonus Bonanza at the Top In 2024, SJP’s new … Continue reading Bonuses Before Basics: The SJP Scandal That’s Hiding in Plain Sight
Is SJP the New Bitcoin? How Adviser Debt Became the Next Bubble
What do SJP advisers and Bitcoin investors have in common? More than you’d think. In the world of crypto, every four years the market goes wild. Bitcoin’s supply is halved, prices spike, and whales (big investors) offload their holdings to unsuspecting krill (small investors) caught up in the hype. The result? Those in the know … Continue reading Is SJP the New Bitcoin? How Adviser Debt Became the Next Bubble
Annuities Are Back—And They Might Just Break the Advice Industry
Big changes are coming to retirement planning—and fast. If you’ve been paying ongoing fees to a financial adviser to manage your pension pot, you might want to take a closer look. Why? Because soaring annuity rates and the Chancellor’s raid on inherited pensions could combine to blow a hole in the traditional "assets under management" … Continue reading Annuities Are Back—And They Might Just Break the Advice Industry
Why the World’s Religions Share One Hidden Truth
What if the ultimate truth behind every major religion wasn’t just similar, but the same? Here’s the idea: at the mystical heart of each tradition, beyond the rules and rituals, is a radical, unifying insight—that everyone is God. It sounds outrageous at first. But stay with me. From Division to Unity: The Journey of Human … Continue reading Why the World’s Religions Share One Hidden Truth
Time to Retire the Narrow View: Why Human Capital Theory Must Evolve
By Steve Conley, Founder – Academy of Life Planning For decades, policymakers and economists have placed immense faith in a reductive idea: that people are paid what they’re worth, and their “worth” can be measured by their skills, education, and productivity. This is the premise of mainstream human capital theory—a theory that has not only … Continue reading Time to Retire the Narrow View: Why Human Capital Theory Must Evolve
Spiritual Well-Being: Beyond the Narrow Religious Lens
Traditionally, spiritual well-being has often been studied through a narrow, non-secular lens, closely tied to organised religion and its associated rituals, beliefs, and communities. In this view, religiosity becomes a proxy for spirituality, often limiting research and practice to denominational practices, attendance, and doctrinal adherence. Yet, this limited frame underestimates the true breadth and transformative … Continue reading Spiritual Well-Being: Beyond the Narrow Religious Lens
How the GAME Plan Empowers Victims of Financial Crime to Rebuild Their Lives
Financial Crime: A Crisis of Trust and Survival For too long, financial crime has been framed as an economic issue. But as the Faces of Financial Crime report makes clear, the reality is far more devastating. Victims don’t just lose money—they lose their peace of mind, their sense of security, and in some cases, even … Continue reading How the GAME Plan Empowers Victims of Financial Crime to Rebuild Their Lives
Competitor Analysis of Non-FCA Regulated Financial Planners (UK & International with UK Presence)
1. Identification of Competitors Direct Competitors (Non-FCA Regulated Financial Planners): These are firms offering holistic financial planning without intermediating product sales. They provide advice-only or life planning services and do not act as introducers to regulated advisers (i.e. they are not merely lead generators). Key examples include: Second Life Financial Planning (UK): A newly launched … Continue reading Competitor Analysis of Non-FCA Regulated Financial Planners (UK & International with UK Presence)
Dodgy Advice and a Land-Banking Scam: Lessons from the Asset Land Case
Think twice before trusting “advice” from someone who’s also selling you an investment. It might sound convenient – your adviser has a perfect opportunity just for you – but that double role can hide huge conflicts of interest. The £21 million Asset Land Investment scandal is a prime example. Investors were lured by salespeople posing … Continue reading Dodgy Advice and a Land-Banking Scam: Lessons from the Asset Land Case
Academy of Life Planning 