We are delighted to announce the speakers & panellists who will be taking part in the Silver Marketing Summit 2024. All are experts in their field and will share marketing insights and information with the audience.
This page will be updated on a regular basis.
Keynote Speaker: Michael Clinton
Michael Clinton is the former president and publishing director of Hearst Magazines, and now serves as special media advisor to the Hearst Corporation’s CEO. He is also the CEO and Founder of ROARforward, a joint venture with Hearst Ventures and author of the best seller ROAR into the Second Half of Your Life - Before It’s Too Late. An avid traveller, photographer, private pilot, part owner of a vineyard in Argentina, and founder of a nonprofit foundation, Michael holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, plus two master’s degrees . He serves on the boards of trustees of the International Center of Photography and Pace University and the Advisory Board of the Stanford Center on Longevity. He has written for The New York Times, Town & Country, Esquire, and Men’s Health.
Chair - Who’s next? Marketing to the next generation of silvers: Sarah Firth
Sarah, co founder of Anything But Grey has over 30 years experience working in PR. In particular developing strategic and creative led campaigns for clients across the spectrum. Reaching her 50’s as a Creative Director, she realised that so few marketing campaigns were in any way reflective of who she was or any of her friends. So she set about with Nicola to change all of that and Anything But Grey was formed. The agency was set up to help brands and businesses target the over 50’s with the same care and attention that younger cohorts receive, in a genuine and authentic way – marketing created by the people for the people. Beyond Anything But Grey she is a keen footballer, taking up the beautiful game at the age of 54 with the bold goal of playing at Wembley before she is 60.
Panellist - Who’s next? Marketing to the next generation of silvers: Sarah Austin
Sarah Austin is the Founder and CEO of Really Helpful Club, a unique community that helps and empowers its members at every age and every stage in life. Sarah created the network in 2014, which now boasts over 17,000 members, with access to a trusted directory of experts and inspiring events in areas from health and mental and financial wellbeing to career building and entrepreneurship. Before starting her own business, Sarah spent over a decade working in the City, as a Senior Director and Investment Manager at Barings. She holds an MA in Classics and Modern Languages from Oxford and has two children.
Panellist - Who’s next? Marketing to the next generation of silvers: Jon Cockroft
Passionate about sport’s ability to transform lives, Jon has enjoyed over 25 years in the sports industry. He is currently Chief Executive of Bowls England and leads the delivery of the governing body’s ‘Fit for the Future’ strategy, which is changing the perception of bowls and reversing a generational decline in participation. Jon previously held commercial roles at Warwickshire County Cricket Club and England Hockey where he built brands, managed marketing campaigns, secured new sponsorships and delivered global events.
Panellist - Who’s next? Marketing to the next generation of silvers: Caroline Ayling
Caroline (also known as CJ) is a marketing professional with 20 years’ experience covering sports marketing, athlete management, consultancy and now agency marketing & company growth at JAA. She is passionate about celebrating great work, championing great people and, to her own surprise, loves working for independent family businesses. So much so she works for two… JAA an independent media agency that’s backed the underdog since 1978 when her father set it up, and The Tyburn, a Harley Street Medical Practice run by her GP husband. As a mum of two Caroline works flexibly to manage the life balance and is on a journey learning about neurodiversity and celebrating difference as her son is autistic. She is a Trustee of Duchenne UK, and an avid fundraiser having taken part in many endurance events.
Chair -Who’s Last? The Silent Silvers: Graeme McKenzie
Graeme has spent his entire career, (approaching 40 years), working as a marketing communications specialist, gaining extensive experience and insight into how to successfully market a wide range of products and services to the older and elderly UK consumer. Recognising a gap in the market, Graeme launched Let’s Talk Ageing in 2016 with a vision and passion to support organisations to become better informed and deliver enhanced B2C and B2B Acquisition & CRM communications to this highly complex audience – he offers a range of tailored services, from delivering insight driven workshops to providing a sense checking service for clients to have their off-line and on-line communication critiqued, by a mature panel of UK consumers.
Panellist - Who’s last? The Silent Silvers – how to reach the over 70s: Chrissy Nason
Originally from Lancashire, Chrissy started her lengthy travel career as a holiday rep in Greece in the ‘70s. After 9/11 she completed an interior design course, undertook residential assignments and, with her husband, built a house in remote Scotland. She was also Operations Director of a small Kensington hotel. Chrissy is a travel writer for www.silvertraveladvisor.com, volunteers with the Youth Offender Service, sings with the Kensington Singers, is a parent and grandparent. Chrissy would like changes to how older people are categorised, particularly by marketeers and government bodies, to better define this hugely diverse demographic
Panellist - Who’s last? The Silent Silvers – how to reach the over 70s: Peter Walshe
Age 75, nearly 76, Peter started his career as an actor in 1970 and appeared in Dr Who, The Naked Civil Servant and Perr Gynt. He later moved into Market Research at Millward Brown, and helped the company grow to be one of the biggest Market Research organisations in the world (now Kantar) becoming Global Brand Director. He was also a spokesperson and appeared on many TV and Radio programmes – including Today, interviewed by John Humphrys. Today, retired, he is a trustee of local Midlands charity: Harbury e-Wheels, in charge of fund raising, and a volunteer driver for those in need to get to appointments. A keen sports person he plays tennis, walks his dog and cycles.
Panellist - Who’s last? The Silent Silvers – how to reach the over 70s: Mike Turner
Mike Turner, boasts a rich background holding senior positions within financial services firms as well as running his own businesses. On moving away from full-time work, Mike took on roles as School Governor and Chair of various Charities and was Vice Chairman of a large member owned club. At 82, Mike is fully retired and is focused on keeping fit, travelling and cherishes being a grandfather and family time. Mike is open to be marketed to but in this digital world feels that marketeers need to appreciate the importance of connecting through jargon free language that enables him to buy rather than feeling sold to.
Chair - Marketing Later Life Housing: Tony Watts OBE
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.
Panellist - Marketing Later Life Housing: Mario Ambrosi
Mario Ambrosi, Director of Communications and Marketing, Anchor, has held several senior roles at Anchor since joining England’s largest not for profit provider of housing and care for older people in 2004. A former journalist, he is also Chair of the Housing and Ageing Alliance and Co-Chair of the National Care Forum’s marketing and communications group.
Panellist - Marketing Later Life Housing: Sian Hammer
Sian is Group Sales & Marketing Director of the Audley Group with over 25 years in the healthcare and property sales industries, working in highly regulated environments, holding various leadership and board level positions across sales and operations. Experienced in a variety of roles delivering organic and acquisitive growth, Sian is responsible for the sales function of both Audley Villages and Mayfield Villages and the strategic direction of marketing. She is passionate about the growth of the business and the continued success of Audley Group as the market leading retirement living developer and operator.
Panellist - Marketing Later Life Housing: Emma Webster
Emma is the ESG & Corporate Affairs Director of Lifestory Group leading on national policy work and site specific political and community engagement activities across the group. She was a local Councillor for 16 years and has held various Cabinet positions, including Highways and Transport, Regeneration, Community Safety and Housing. She became an Honorary Alderman in 2020. Emma is passionate about making a difference for people as they age and believes early engagement with the wider community helps foster links and partnerships for years to come.
Panellist - Marketing Later Life Housing: James Cobb
James is the Sales & Marketing Director of Inspired Villages, 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 Retirement Village development and operations and, with this background, has specialised in understanding our customers and ensuring that we deliver what people want.
Chair: Ageism in Fashion & Beauty marketing: Nicky McKenna
Nicky spent 30 years in the fashion industry in brands ranging from Miss Selfridge and Warehouse, to Jaeger, Viyella and The White Company, and now runs a London based Digital Marketing Consultancy called WSI Digital Advisors. Her retail experience has brought a strong understanding of the importance of ranging and marketing for the generation coming into your market, rather than simply allowing your brand to grow older with your customers.
Panellist - Ageism in Fashion & Beauty marketing: Jacynth Bassett
Jacynth Bassett is an award-winning, highly sought after consultant and expert in the anti-ageism/ age-inclusive & age positive movement. At only 31, she is widely recognised as a leading pioneer and voice, awarded ‘Anti-Ageist Activist’ of 2023, and named one of Evening Standard’s 22 Londoners Changing the World. She is the Founder & CEO of the award-winning global consultancy, community & campaign, Ageism Is Never In Style®, and of The Bias Cut – the first age-inclusive independent fashion online boutique - which she launched in 2016 after growing frustrated at seeing women (like her mum) being increasingly alienated by the fashion industry.
Panellist - Ageism in Fashion & Beauty marketing: Prof Carolyn Mair
Carolyn is a Cognitive Psychologist, Chartered Fellow of the British Psychological Society and Fashion Business Consultant. As full Professor of Psychology for Fashion at London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, she established the University’s Psychology Department and created the world’s first MSc, MA and BSc programmes to apply Psychology specifically in the context of fashion. She established her consultancy in 2017 and now advises fashion businesses around the world on human behaviour in the context of the fashion industry. Carolyn is the author of The Psychology of Fashion, now published in six languages.
Panellist - Ageism in Fashion & Beauty marketing: Annie Stirk
After retiring at 67 from a diverse teaching, TV and media career, Annie took a selfie in response to a Facebook advert for new models, and became a billboard poster girl at the age of 70! She’s worked with a range of big brands, from Meatless Farm to Ambrose Wilson and was a contestant in BBC 2’s. TAKE A HIKE in 2023. Through her modelling and influencing, Annie is providing much-needed representation for mature women by celebrating her silver hair and her age, something often shied away from by brands, advertisers, and consumers.