A Proposal for the New Age “The purpose of a ‘great company’ gives it a reason for being, defining its contribution to society.”— Pitt-Watson & Mann, Does Finance Fulfil Purpose? In their thoughtful report, David Pitt-Watson and Dr Hari Mann ask a foundational question that most in the industry still avoid:Does finance fulfil its purpose? … Continue reading 💡 Does Finance Fulfil Purpose?
Tag: money
💡 Finance for What? Reclaiming Purpose in the Age of Aquarius
“Finance is not about making money per se…it exists to support other goals—those of society.”— Robert Shiller, Nobel Laureate For decades, we’ve accepted a version of finance that has become bloated, opaque, and detached from its true purpose. A recent paper, Does Finance Fulfil Purpose? by David Pitt-Watson and Dr Hari Mann, does something rare: … Continue reading 💡 Finance for What? Reclaiming Purpose in the Age of Aquarius
💡 From Debt Prisoner to Life Planner: A Way Forward for Struggling Advisers
By Steve Conley, Founder – Academy of Life Planning They say we’re the experts.The ones people turn to for clarity, security, and peace of mind. But what happens when the financial adviser is the one feeling trapped? What happens when you are the one secretly battling the burden of debt? 🎭 The Hidden Reality of … Continue reading 💡 From Debt Prisoner to Life Planner: A Way Forward for Struggling Advisers
From Product Seller to Purpose Partner: The Rise of the Holistic Wealth Planner
“Financial capital is only part of the picture. True wealth is the life you build with it.” A question I often get asked is this: What’s the difference between a financial planner and a financial adviser? And what on earth is a “non-intermediating” financial planner? Let me demystify it.At the Academy of Life Planning, we … Continue reading From Product Seller to Purpose Partner: The Rise of the Holistic Wealth Planner
💥 St. James’s Dis-Place
Why Advisers Are Ditching the Old Model for Autonomy, Empowerment, and Purpose “You can’t heal in the same place you got sick.” For years, thousands of financial advisers have been drawn to St. James’s Place (SJP) by the promise of prestige, support, and stability. But behind the glossy brochures and award dinners lies a truth … Continue reading 💥 St. James’s Dis-Place
💥 Beneath the Surface: The SJP Model and the Case for an Alternative
By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning On the surface, St. James’s Place (SJP) projects resilience. Chief executive Mark FitzPatrick told the Financial Times that their revamped fees would “help customers compare and contrast.” The SJP Academy trains half of all new financial advisers in the UK. And with nearly £190 billion in client … Continue reading 💥 Beneath the Surface: The SJP Model and the Case for an Alternative
Retire from the Delegator Firm—And Build an Empowering Firm for the New Age
"Human beings interpret change in different ways—some through logic and evidence, others through intuition, cycles, and symbols. What follows may not resonate with everyone, but for many, the transition from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius offers a compelling lens to understand what's unfolding in finance, politics, and society. Whether literal or … Continue reading Retire from the Delegator Firm—And Build an Empowering Firm for the New Age
🌱 Academy Case Study: From Disillusionment to Planet-Positive Planning
The Five Truths of Trustworthy Advice: The client is the customer — not their money. You plan the client before you plan the money— in a productive cycle. You model total wealth — human and financial capital — against lifetime liabilities. The goal is not wealth, but whole-person well-being — mind, body, heart, and spirit. … Continue reading 🌱 Academy Case Study: From Disillusionment to Planet-Positive Planning
From Intermediation to Illumination: Reclaiming Financial Agency in the AI Age
We are living in a pivotal moment. A moment where technology has caught up with the promise of true financial empowerment — not through more intermediation, but through decentralised, accessible, person-led solutions. Yet 99% of financial planners still operate as agents of the system, not for the people. They’ve signed agency contracts. Their revenues depend … Continue reading From Intermediation to Illumination: Reclaiming Financial Agency in the AI Age
From Transaction to Transformation: Why Aegon’s ‘Money:Mindshift’ Campaign Is a Step in the Right Direction
By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning Something significant is stirring in the financial services world. This week, Aegon launched its Money:Mindshift campaign — a conscious attempt to challenge the traditional, transactional model of financial advice. Led by Dr Tom Mathar, the campaign invites us to move beyond the numbers and reconnect with what … Continue reading From Transaction to Transformation: Why Aegon’s ‘Money:Mindshift’ Campaign Is a Step in the Right Direction
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