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.
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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.
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.
"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
Co Founder
Strategy and Partnerships
Lucy is a psychologist and Vice Chair of the Association for Business Psychology. She was previously Global Head of Recruitment in the Investment Bank and Strategy Consulting sectors across JP Morgan and LEK consulting. Brave Starts is a result of people passionately joining together to try and help companies supporting their employees to work and age better.
Experienced Recruiter
Career Coach
Katie Pope has the Certificate in Professional Coaching Practice (ACSTH) and the Certificate in Career Coaching, Her background as a recruiter both in house (KPMG) and as a consultant (Korn Ferry) means she’s well placed to understand the recruitment market. She’s got a strong interest in health and well being as well as films and reading.
Psychologist
Career Coach
Alan is one our career coaches. He started life as a civil engineer. He moved into business and strategy development roles with major construction sector organisations. He then gained an MSc in Organisational Psychology aged 59. He values research and evidence-based approaches and he loves helping people discover what they can do and then go-get it!
Thought Leader
Program Director
Mike is a seasoned thought leader and program director in the area of longevity, retirement preparations, and inclusion and diversity. Mike worked at Aegon for 18 years, previously holding roles as Sustainability Officer and Group Internal Auditor. Prior to working for Aegon, Mike worked for PwC and Wells Fargo Bank.
Co Founder
Tech Lead.
Harris is a tech and product guy at heart - with 10 years experience across Financial Services and Property Industries - such as Fitch Ratings, Lloyds Commercial Bank, and CBRE. He is also Product Officer of an innovative health tech hearing company. His passion for helping people is what drew into the Brave Starts concept.
Co Founder
Editor and Comms
Anna Streule is our Editor and Comms guru! Relocated from Switzerland where she was editor of an online magazine. She brings a variety of experiences across management consulting, personal training, and teaching - the ultimate career changer! Her passion is supporting people like her who are looking for their next big change!
Ian has built strong investor and grant funding networks. He was recently Head of Access to funding at The Knowledge transfer Network helping innovative companies raise money via investors, grants or equity.
David is an award winning Chief People officer. He’s a huge advocate for ageing better and has won significant recognition for the fabulous work he does in this arena.
Michael brings his experience of being a Chief People Officer to the team. He’s got over 20 years experience at Senior HRD.
An award winning expert on all aspects of pensions and later life policy
Head of Savings & Retirement at .unner, cycler, golfer and tenor
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
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.
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.
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.
£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.
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.
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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