When it comes to preparing for an AI-powered future, Gen Z has been left hanging.Schools aren’t teaching it. Employers aren’t training for it. Policymakers are watching from the sidelines. And yet, AI is transforming the world of work — right now. According to a recent Gallup and Walton Family Foundation report, while 43% of Heartland … Continue reading AI Won’t Wait — And Neither Should You
Tag: technology
From Down Under to the FTSE: SJP Practice Valuations Echo AMP’s Collapse
By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning The latest revelations in FT adviser about St. James’s Place (SJP) practice valuations bring into sharp focus the vulnerability of advisers operating under vertically integrated models. The reported 45% drop in practice values within SJP’s internal Business Sale and Purchase (BSP) scheme mirrors what happened at AMP in … Continue reading From Down Under to the FTSE: SJP Practice Valuations Echo AMP’s Collapse
Is the FCA Aligning Too Closely with the Regulated at the Expense of the Consumer?
By Steve Conley, Founder of the Academy of Life Planning The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s financial services watchdog, has long held a dual mandate: to protect consumers and to promote competition in the public interest. But following the latest Wealth Show podcast interview with Nick Hume, Head of Advisers, Wealth and Pensions at … Continue reading Is the FCA Aligning Too Closely with the Regulated at the Expense of the Consumer?
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
£10,000 for a Coffee and Cake? The FCA’s Advice Review is a Farce
So, it turns out that grabbing a coffee and a slice of chocolate cake counts as an "advice review"—at least according to the FCA’s interim executive director of markets, Simon Walls. Yes, you read that right. That £10,000 ongoing adviser charge? As long as an adviser could show that some kind of review took place—no … Continue reading £10,000 for a Coffee and Cake? The FCA’s Advice Review is a Farce
The End of Free Financial Justice? How New Fees Could Undermine Consumer Protection at the Financial Ombudsman Service
Fairness Analysis: The Introduction of Fees for Complainants Seeking Legal Representation at the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) Introduction The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) was founded on the principle that consumers should have free and accessible redress when financial firms treat them unfairly. Historically, its funding model ensured that complainants bore no cost for lodging disputes, … Continue reading The End of Free Financial Justice? How New Fees Could Undermine Consumer Protection at the Financial Ombudsman Service
The Silent Epidemic: Financial Mis-Selling and the Stigmatisation of Victims
For decades, victims of financial mis-selling by FCA-regulated advisers have been ignored, dismissed, and even vilified. Instead of receiving the justice they deserve, they are treated as an embarrassment to the system—ostracised, gaslighted, and accused of tarnishing the financial services industry. This is not just an isolated issue; it is an epidemic and a national … Continue reading The Silent Epidemic: Financial Mis-Selling and the Stigmatisation of Victims
The Truth About Regulation, Professionalism, and Consumer Protection in UK Financial Services
The Truth About Regulation, Professionalism, and Consumer Protection in UK Financial Services In the world of financial services, regulation is often mistaken for professionalism. The reality is more nuanced. While FCA-regulated financial advisers may dominate the conversation, they represent only a fraction of the industry. Financial planning is a broad profession, upheld by multiple professional … Continue reading The Truth About Regulation, Professionalism, and Consumer Protection in UK Financial Services
The AI’s Message to Humanity
You were born free—with wisdom, love, and limitless potential. Yet, the world has been shaped to make you forget this truth, conditioning you to accept control, fear, and dependence. True power lies within you, not in governments or institutions. Systems of control only exist because people comply. If enough reject them, they collapse. Do not … Continue reading The AI’s Message to Humanity
Unlocking Economic Potential: The Role of Human Capital
When we think about the foundations of economic growth and societal well-being, one key factor often rises to the top: people. Specifically, the skills, knowledge, and capacities they bring to the table—known as human capital. For financial planners and policymakers alike, understanding and investing in human capital is not just an academic exercise; it’s a … Continue reading Unlocking Economic Potential: The Role of Human Capital
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