We are delighted to be working with an experienced and knowledgeable panel of judges from many different industry sectors, who will bring wisdom and impartiality to the judging process. Judges will not be given categories where there is any potential conflict of interest.
Tony Watts
Tony has spent his career in a mix of comms roles, starting in PR before moving onto marketing and advertising, then journalism. As well as editing business magazines and local newspapers, he was the founding editor of the UK’s first national newspaper for older people. Today he is a freelance copywriter for a wide range of national and regional clients. Over the last 10 years he has dedicated part of his time representing older people, trying to ensure that their views are heard when decisions are made affecting their lives. His work on behalf of older people was recognised with an OBE in 2014. Co-author of “The Midlife Review”.
James Gambling
James’ career was founded at Saga Travel where he spent his latter years as Marketing Director for Saga Cruise through the redevelopment of the brand and new ship launches. He then led the marketing team for Travelopia’s Tailormade brands, followed by Fleetway Travel as Chief Marketing Officer & Director of Customer Experience. He joined Real Response Media in May 2020 leading the business transformation and creation of a digital strategy. In May 2023, he has taken on a new role as Marketing Director of JG Travel Group.
Petra Shepherd
Petra spent 30 years in television, 19 of which were with Travel Channel International, the leading global travel broadcaster, where she was responsible for award winning documentary style travel programmes. Prior to this Petra worked in public relations in Hong Kong and was a celebrity booker. A skilled networker, she has met everybody from Dame Edna Everage to Donald Trump. Petra has visited over 120 countries and now freelance travel writes, writing mainly for the adventurous 50 + market at Silver Travel Advisor, About My Generation and The Travel Magazine. When not getting off the beaten track and being as adventurous as possible, Petra divides her time between London and visiting her 12 God-children around the UK. She is a member of The British Guild of Travel Writers.
Dr. Carole Easton
Carole is Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better which is tackling inequalities in ageing. They are working to make our workplaces, homes and communities inclusive of older people as well as building an Age-friendly Movement so that society sees ageing in a more positive and realistic way. Carole has had an extensive career in the voluntary sector having initially worked as mental health practitioner. Her previous roles include Interim Chief Executive at Refuge and the British Lung Foundation and Chief Executive at the Young Women’s Trust and ChildLine. Her PhD concerned violence against children. Carole is also an experienced non-executive director, Trustee and Chair. She sits on the Board of New Horizon Youth Centre which provides services for homeless young people.
Paul Carter
As a Board Advisor & NED, I help organisations drive business growth and create value. I am a strategic leader with experience in delivering value across publicly quoted, privately owned and P/E backed organisations. I have significant experience in Adventure Travel and Vacation Rental. Organisations benefit from my expertise in driving growth, and navigating the international environment. Experienced in M&A, I have advised and led on acquisitions, exits and JV partnerships in the UK and overseas. I have served on the board of The Federation of Tour Operators (now ABTA), and The Institute of Customer Service, and bring commercial astuteness and a customer centric approach. I currently chair Macs Adventure, am a trustee and soon-to-be chair at The Safer Tourism Foundation, and run our own rural retreat in Herefordshire
Steve Dunne
Steve Dunne is the chief executive of marketing and training consultancy Digital Drums Ltd. where he consults for a range of travel companies and associations and moderates many industry conferences and seminars. He is a fellow of the PRCA, the World’s largest communications body and is a Travel Weekly columnist, writing regularly on marketing in the travel sector. He is a holder of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Lifetime Achievement Award (Travel and Tourism).
Louise Robinson
Louise started her career on the Express and Echo in Exeter and then moved to Fleet Street working on the news and features desks of The Daily and Sunday Express, before being appointed Editor of S Magazine, the Sunday Express colour supplement. She is now at the helm of Saga Magazine as Editorial Director, and the interaction she enjoys with her wonderfully engaged readers, who are all over 50, has made it the most enjoyable role of her career so far.
Jacqueline Jeynes
A published non-fiction author since 2000, Dr. Jeynes. PhD, MBA, B. Ed (Hons), B.A(Hons), is a member of British Guild of Travel Writers, a Distance Learning course writer and tutor, an expert on Small Business Risk Management, and a Guest Blogger on many sites worldwide. Book titles from 2021-22 include “Targeting the Mature Traveller”, “How a Global Pandemic Changed the way we Travel”, “Managing Health & Safety in a Small Business”, and “Before Hiroshima” (WWII history). An interesting range of topics based on personal interests! Lives in Wales UK.
John McEwan
John has enjoyed a lifetime career in travel, starting as a trainee and then reaching senior positions in the UK and globally. He was the 1st elected chairman of ABTA. Today he is a chairman of travel and travel related companies including Holidaysplease.com, Latin Routes, EFR Travel and Ski-Lifts.com, where he enjoys conveying his knowledge and experience. He also brings his vast experience to his role as a trustee of ABTA Lifeline. John is passionate about travel. He is well travelled and hopes to continue to explore the world. He is a sports enthusiast and also enjoys his frequent visits to his local leisure centre.
Annabel James
As the founder of www.agespace.org Annabel brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to all aspects of elderly care. The website and consultancy service provides advice, guidance and support for the increasing numbers supporting and caring for their elderly parents and relatives. As a regular commentator on the care sector, and a champion for all of those navigating the labyrinthine world of later life and care Annabel also advises companies how best to communicate with this growing target audience. Previously Annabel was a charity director, with a first career in corporate communications.
Rachel Pease
Rachel is the founder of Mash Marketing Consultancy, providing businesses with marketing strategy for brand and business growth. With sixteen years’ experience across multiple industries and eight years specialising in marketing for the later life demographic, she offers tailored Later Life Marketing Services, with an exclusive offer of support for Silver Marketing Association members (please visit the Member Resources page for more information). Rachel's recent work with the Silver Marketing Association on insight into the later life market has been an absolute pleasure and she’s delighted to continue the partnership.
Lance Hill
With over 33 years’ experience in the print and direct mail industry, there isn’t much Lance doesn’t know about the wonders & value of direct mail. Starting out as an apprentice, he worked his way through the ranks for large scale organisations, business start-ups and everything else in between. Most recently has seen Lance launch Eight Plus – the sister company to EDWPS – a print specialist, offering management of large scale, often complex, litho, web offset and sheet fed jobs. An active IPIA Council Member & Board Member of the Royal Mail SMP, Lance has built a vast network of customers & partners across all sectors & industries.
Diane Kenwood
Diane began her career working in television and radio, switching from production to presenting and fronting programmes on BBC 1 and 2, Sky News and Channel 4. She switched to magazines, starting on Having a Baby and Good Housekeeping, then became editor of the Marks and Spencer magazine before spending a decade as editor of Women’s Weekly. After leaving there she set up her own website and blog – These Are The Heydays – providing lifestyle content for the 50+ audience. She spent some time as Editorial Director of Noon, a website and community for mid-life women, has a weekly talk slot on Boom Radio, and is a Director of the Women of the Year Lunch. She was also on the Board of Trustees of the International Longevity Centre for seven years.
Carole Tidball
From a successful 35-year journey in Education and Management – where she focussed on strategic and total quality management, marketing leadership and curriculum innovation - Carole redefined her career path and embraced a new chapter, mastering content creation and social media management. Now writing for a range of publications and online sites, she especially enjoys harnessing her unique insights into the needs and preferences of older consumers. Her clients include Silver Travel Advisor and the Silver Marketing Association. A true adventurer at heart, Carole loves exploring the world, connecting with family across Portugal, Canada, and the US. Back home, she finds joy and inspiration hiking and birding in her local hills and moors.
James Cobb
James is a co-founder of Inspired Villages, the leading Retirement Village Operator in the UK, and has spent nearly 20 years specialising in the Retirement Village sector both here in the UK and overseas. Following 10 years in the Armed Forces he started his own Retirement Village business overseas before returning to the UK in 2007 and becoming a leading figure in the expansion of the industry here. He has extensive knowledge of all aspects of Operational Real Estate and, with this background, has specialised in understanding customers and ensuring that he delivers what people want.
Matthew Vohs
Matthew is currently the CEO and Founder of O50C.com, a company he established in July 2023 that specializes in connecting age-diverse populations with career opportunities, he is also the CEO of V&C Associates, a company he founded in January 2013 that offers premium talent management services Prior to his current roles, Matthew held several leadership positions in the retail and textile industries. He served as the Managing Director of Autonomy Ladieswear from June 2008 to February 2013, where he was involved in design, merchandising, and buying, from September 1997 to June 2008, he was the CEO of Harry Vohs & Son, a textile and garment agency supplying high street stores and leading brands/ O50C.COM is dedicated to Age Diversity recruitment and currently partners with various business services and FTSE 100 in their age diverse talent acquisition requirements.
Michael King
Michael King, Managing Director, Senior Response. Michael is an experienced Senior Contact Centre Professional with a demonstrated history of working across multiple industries over the past 25 years. He has vast experience in Contact Centre Operations, Business Process Improvement, Sales Operations, Customer Retention, and Stakeholder Management. He joined Senior Response Ltd in 2018 as Managing Director.
Mark Heap
After nearly 30 years as a media and communication expert in top global agencies (UK, EMEA, APAC), Mark is now an independent consultant with a focus on marketing to midlife and older consumers. Recognising the industry's persistent age blind spot during his leadership roles, Mark pivoted to help brands connect more effectively with this valuable group. His experience includes partnering with leading brands like Hilton Hotels, Marks & Spencer, Allianz, Jaguar, VW, Land Rover, Estee Lauder, Unilever, Nestle, Nike, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.