What a year!  Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen

2023 was the year that Next-Up took off and I want to thank everyone who has made this happen. We are making a significant contribution to the economy and long term health of the country. Yes a long way to go, but we are transforming lives of 50+ generation – significantly reducing mental health issues; helping contribute to society and achieve personal ambitions later in life; helping many entrepreneurs with tricky challenges. This is giving ten years more active life, reducing chances of Alzheimer’s by 2.5x and making net contributors to society, rather than a drain. In just the last year we have …

We have now…

• helped 400 partners in professional firms with ideas for their unretirement, from Big 4 accountancy and Magic Circle law firms, international and regional firms …
  … based in countries from Hong Kong and Oman to the US and Canada.  And in Europe from Sweden to Spain and Belgium to Italy… to rethink lives post-retirement. Enjoy making a valued contribution to society and finding purpose. See comments below
• We’ve employed 56 people aged 50+ this year. Governments say this generation needs to ‘get back to work’ when issue is finding flexible ways to use their skills. We are walking the talk, these amazing people have presented workshops, shared unretirement stories, written CVs, managed projects, been business advisors/mentors, advised on later life health, developed our platform, taken photos, produced videos
• Run our 11th workshop for same client; 100% of delegates recommend us in all workshops
• Helped 100+ entrepreneurs mentored by senior people in our workshops
• Signed up more than 50 members in our professional services retirement forum
• Spoken at 20+ public events and in podcasts on the Generation of Wasted Talent, Age Discrimination, The Future of Work …
• Launched Rethink Retirement platform and piloted it with more than 500 employees – who LOVE it!
• Proud to have paid everyone by return of invoice (wish others would do same)

What’s the impact of all this? Here are a few comments from partners after a workshop
– I need to talk/listen to my colleagues and family, it’s not all about me
– I want to matter to the world – it’s time to give back
– I’d written off any kind of ‘work’ but I see I could help businesses and have fun
– Underestimated how much energy I get from helping others – want to recreate this
– Mentoring entrepreneurs was a revelation. Amazed I had things to say, think it was useful to them
– Need a granular financial plan
– Need more training and start using LinkedIn
– Feel so much better about all this, thank you. Want to tie into being healthy
– Had a lightbulb moment – everyone was so fun, feeling fulfilled. This is me. Want to capture what I lost as a child
– Thought travel, art, golf would be enough. I’ll need more + need to plan now

Thanks to my fantastic team. Here’s to a wonderful 2024, making even more of a difference. Wishing everyone and your loved ones a happy festive time and a peaceful 2024. Our thoughts with those where peace is a far off dream.