So much more than career coaching

Why do we do it?


We know the value people in the 45+ demographic can offer. We enjoy supporting our members with evidence-based advice and workshops to help them develop the insights needed to reach clarity and find or create fulfilling work.

We exist to raise the bar. We teach members techniques to leapfrog ageist hurdles whilst also lobbying businesses and government to recognise the untapped value of an ageing workforce.

As a non-profit organisation, we don’t answer to advertisers or investors. We speak with integrity and guide members to resources, events and contacts which will most benefit them.

Our purpose is to reduce barriers to quality resources by not making profit our motive. We've changed the lives of hundreds of people, and we're committed to keep developing and improving.

Trusted by some amazing clients

Brave Starts in UK Parliament

As respected representatives of the 45+ workforce we gave evidence to the Older Worker Select Committee. Our intimate understanding of this demographic meant we were able to challenge the narrative that older workers are lazy and 'on the golf course' and demonstrate that governments and organisations are failing to take advantage of the many opportunities offered by an ageing workforce.

Our Amazing Volunteers

We'd be nothing without the support of people who give up their time, expertise and skill without payment or salary. You can't buy passion, but your £30 a year donation really does help towards our costs.

JOIN US

Give As You Learn

"100% of our fees support charities, small businesses and our own community"

A successful track record of helping people build better futures

Focused on needs as we change and get older

A dynamic community of talented, well connected professionals

Innovative opportunities  to enable longer working lives

Our Strengths

Not for Profit

We're driven by impact: 100% of fees support our community & develop research.

Research Based

We care about evidence. If we can't back it up we don't share it - or we highlight the gaps.

Community

Each new member helps us have a louder voice to influence change. We're in this together.

Meet the team

Lucy Standing

Lucy Standing

Co Founder
Strategy and Partnerships

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Katie Pope

Experienced Recruiter
‍‍‍
Career Coach

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Marcus Lamont

Workshop leader
Ambassador

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Mike Mansfield

Mike Mansfield

Thought Leader
Program Director

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Harris Karim

Co Founder
Tech Lead.

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Anna Streule

Anna Streule

Co Founder
Editor and Comms

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Alison Barrett

Volunteer
Ambassador

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Gemma Clarkson

Career Coach
Ambassador

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David Cook

Volunteer Career Coach
Ambassador

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Graham Heddle

Workshop Leader
Ambassador

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Katherine Brown

Member engagement
Ambassador

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Sheila Holdsworth

Community manager
Ambassador

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Jo Keddy

Career coach and workshop lead
Ambassador

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Lisa MacLaren

Workshop leader
Ambassador

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Lisa Tyler

Career coach and workshop lead
Ambassador

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Advisory Board

We are a mission based not for profit full of incredible and passionate advisors

Ian Tracey

Ian
Tracey

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David Blackburn

David
Blackburn

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Michael Easton

Michael
Easton

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Baroness Ros Altmann

Baroness Ros Altmann

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Alistair
McQueen

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how is your £49 membership fee spent?

We operate on a volunteer basis. No one earns a salary. Fees help to support our platform running costs, legal fees, and general company admin. We can't grow without your support. We advertise a £49 per year payment, but do also rely on generous donations. Donate here

Q: Why are we needed?

Many Q3 workers (those aged 50-75) face ageist recruitment practices, recruiters with the inflexible attitudes and organisations reluctant to change what they've always done because they don't see the 'business case' in making changes. In addition, career coaching and adult career guidance is not regulated meaning some people can get exploited by poor or bad practice. Evidence based insight into what works is not understood.

We exist to raise the bar, to evaluate and understand the impact of what we do so we can share this with others and have mass impact. This is an amazing group of people, it will grow and the contribution which can be made to society if we get this right is huge.

Q: Why not raise the price?

We'd rather try to keep fees to a minimum and help as many people as possible.  As a non profit our goal is impact: we want to help as many as we can. Each person that joins us adds to the evidence base of what does or doesn't work.

Q: Why focus on people 45-75?

It is a demographic not well served by society. According to the Centre for Ageing Better, People over 50 are the demographic least likely to receive career support. The Careers and Enterprise Company (which allocates government funding for careers support) only issues funds if beneficiaries are up to the age of 21. Every FTSE 100 organisation has a 'graduate' scheme, but there are not yet 'career changer' or later year entry schemes. Our members feel job centres don't speak to them as they are generally focused on helping people get off benefits.  The professional middle class audience we serve are not fashionable or sexy. They are lost and forgotten yet they hold the keys to most of societies biggest problems.
 

Q: Why volunteers and not employees?

£49 a year is not enough income to offer volunteers the security of a salary but we do hope with your support and donations we can grow to a point where we can make some hires in the future.  In the meantime, your support and donations contribute towards our running costs.

Q: When did it start?

Harris met Lucy at a dinner exploring the solutions to an ageing society. Their visions were aligned - Lucy the psychologist specialising in mid/later life career development and Harris the tech wizard who makes everything happen. 
We're a registered Community Interest Company. Our articles of association mean if we do generate profit in the future, it needs to go back into supporting and helping our members. Think of us as a professional body for people over 45 who want to love and enjoy their work. 

Our fees support our community & charities

Join for £30 a year*

With more than 600 members, 250 experts, 40+ events a year, there will be people, events and experiences you will benefit from.

* There is a one off £19 onboarding fee when you sign up. The total you pay in your first year is £49. Membership renews at £30 a year.


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