On Wednesday 18th November, a group of major national and international companies signed an open letter, pledging to ‘work over the next five years to help make our ageing society and economy more sustainable‘.

In the letter, the companies point out that ‘without action, our ageing society poses a risk to the UKeconomy and our business’.

The pledge

We will work over the next five years to help make our ageing society and economy more sustainable.

The Open Letter

Our ageing society is of significant importance to UK plc. Without action, our ageing society poses a risk to the UK economy and our business. But action by all of us over the next five years could make the UK a world leader.

Companies have a big part to play in tackling the challenges of demographic change. We can create jobs for all ages. We can help our workforce age well. And we can ensure our products and services are relevant for all.

As business leaders we have a vested interest. We need skilled workers yet are already witnessing shortages in critical parts of our economy.

We know that a healthy workforce will be a vital part of addressing the UK productivity puzzle as our society ages yet society invests too little in healthy ageing.

We want tomorrow’s older consumers active in the economy yet savings levels are not likely to be adequate to allow many to enjoy the active retirement they want.

Next week, government, industry and voluntary sector experts will come together at the first national Future of Ageing Conference. The conference will kick start a debate on the role companies have to play in helping us adapt to demographic change.

As a group of companies, we will work with policymakers and key stakeholders the over the next five years, to make our ageing society and economy more sustainable. We urge other companies to join with us.

Jane Ashcroft, Chief Executive, Anchor

Andy Briggs, CEO, Aviva UK Life

Nick Sanderson, Chief Executive Officer, Audley Retirement

Rachael Saunders, Age at Work Director, Business in the Community

Shaun Crawford, Global Insurance Sector Leader, EY

Jilly Forster, Chair, Forster Communications

Bruce Moore, Chief Executive, Housing and Care 21

Douglas Anderson, Partner at Hymans Robertson & Founder of Club Vita

Martin Jones, Chief Operating Officer, Home Instead Senior Care

Stephen Lowe, Group Director, Just Retirement

Colin Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Key Retirement

Fiona Dunsire, Chief Executive Officer, Mercer

Gary Day, Land and Planning Director, McCarthy and Stone

Andrew Rear, Chairman, Munich Re UK Services

Steve Groves, Chief Executive Officer, Partnership

Phil Loney, Group Chief Executive, Royal London

Romana Abdin, Chief Executive for Simplyhealth

Gary Shaughnessy, UK Chief Executive Officer Zurich Insurance plc

If your company would like to join these signatories and lead the way in tackling the challenges of demographic change, please contact Dave Eaton at davideaton@ilcuk.org.uk