Newcastle Journal Press Story:
Newcastle University’s Initiative on Changing Age
As the population ages, there will be a desire and need for people to work longer than the
traditional retirement age. This provides society and individuals with a number of opportunities and
challenges. Newcastle University’s Initiative on Changing Age, in conjunction with Newcastle Science
City, recognised this evolving scenario as an opportunity to help support new businesses that
provide innovative solutions to help individuals and companies to navigate this new landscape.
To achieve this, Newcastle Science City and the University worked on developing a needs-led
proposition that highlighted the opportunities, the challenges and the rewards for companies
developing offerings in this space. Regional small and medium sized enterprises were invited to
respond to canvasses in order to gain European Regional Development Fund support to help develop
their business ideas. Newcastle University Assistant Director Graham Armitage from the Newcastle
Initiative on Changing Age said, “As life expectancy increases people will want to, and have to, work
longer. How will companies and individuals cope with the challenges of succession planning, or keep
intellectual capital and wisdom in the business? These are just some of the questions the Newcastle
Initiative on Changing Age is asking.”
As a result of this process, and the support from Newcastle Science City and the Newcastle Initiative
on Changing Age, Age Inclusive Ltd was established after its founding members – experts in HR,
training, development and coaching – recognised the challenges facing employers as workforces
grow older and the employment landscape changes. By bringing together these multi-disciplinary
individuals, with complementary business ideas, the company has created a complete solution to
ensure businesses get the best from their staff and employ positive, productive workforces.
Matt Hindhaugh, business mentor at Newcastle Science City, said: “There are suppliers out there
that provide some age-related services for businesses but these are very fragmented. By bringing
together multi-disciplinary professionals to create Age Inclusive, we have created a complete
solution to ensure businesses get the best from their staff and employ positive, productive
workforces.”
Age Inclusive Ltd, who have now been established for approaching a year, have built a proposition
based on assessing companies readiness to accommodate an ageing workforce. Their assessment
aids companies to identify and address any gaps and manage their age related employment issues in
order to improve their business performance. Age Inclusive Ltd concluded their pilot phase during
2012 with 13 businesses; an evaluation conducted by Newcastle University has provided the
business with evidence to help refine their offering for the market. The company have been further
supported by Newcastle University in their collocation in the project hotel facility on the Campus for
Ageing and Vitality which has allowed them to collaborate with academics and other businesses on
their age-friendly initiative.
Cynthia Bartley, Director of Age Inclusive, said, “Employers in the North East using our services will
be at least a year ahead of the rest of the country when it comes to meeting the challenges of an
ageing workforce and improving their business as a result. We are grateful for the support we have
received from the Newcastle Initiative on Changing Age. Having such a close working relationship
with one of the world’s foremost institutions on issues around ageing gives us tremendous
competitive advantage.”
The company’s launch, supported by the Newcastle Initiative on Changing Age and Newcastle
University Business School, attracted over 100 North East business HR Managers to discuss ‘new
perspectives on our ageing workforce’. The event, led by Dame Carol Black, aimed to raise
awareness of the challenges and opportunities that come with an older workforce. Dame Carol
Black commented, "I am delighted to be able to support this event. It is really important that
business understands and begins to address ageing workforce issues in order to ensure increased
productivity in the future."
The next stage for Age Inclusive Ltd is to grow the customer base for its service and continue the
work with Newcastle University to identify further collaborative research projects, which enhance
Age Inclusive Ltd’s proposition and the University’s research agenda around an ageing workforce.
The project is a great example of Newcastle University and Newcastle Science City working with a
regional company to create opportunity around the changes created by an ageing society. Both
Newcastle University and Newcastle Science City are keen to work with companies to help develop
solutions and economic growth around ageing.
To find out more about how the Newcastle Initiative on Changing Age can help you build a
sustainable and profitable business while helping to improve people's quality of life please contact
us at:
Newcastle Initiative on Changing Age
Biomedical Research Building
Campus for Ageing and Vitality
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 5PL
Tel: +44 (0)191 208 1142
E-mail: [email protected]