McCarthy & Stone launches over 65s Consumer Advisory Board and appeals for members

Feb. 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Building on over thirty years of expertise in building retirement apartments, McCarthy & Stone wants to deepen its understanding of the views and needs of older people.  McCarthy & Stone’s approach to building and design is second to none as demonstrated by recently winning the accolade, ‘Best Assisted Living Provider in the World’1.  The consumer advisory panel will build on this position of expertise and demonstrates McCarthy & Stone’s commitment to continuous improvement.

The creation of the board comes against a backdrop of 80 per cent of the nation’s wealth now being accounted for by the over 50s, and an ageing population trend which will see over one third of all UK households being occupied by those aged over 65 in the next 20 years2.

In return for championing these age-related issues, and helping to guide the development of the company’s new products and services, members will receive remuneration of £2,000 per annum.  The board will meet four times a year and members will also be expected to speak publicly on behalf of the group.

The new board is a key initiative set in train by recently appointed Executive Director, Ali Crossley.  Crossley, who joins McCarthy & Stone from the financial services board of Saga, said: “We want to harness the vast knowledge and experience of the over 65s in order that we can more fully understand and proactively resolve their issues.  Listening to our potential customers is key to our future.  At McCarthy & Stone, we have a heritage of paying great attention to the needs of our residents and we hope that this new board will build our understanding even further as we look to develop into new areas.  

“McCarthy & Stone already plays an active role in the debate, supporting research by both the University of Reading and Shelter, and working with the Housing and Ageing Alliance and the Housing Learning Improvement Network.  Now, with the creation of this new board, we will be putting a passionate group of older people at the very heart of our business.”

To apply to join the new Board please visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk or call 0800 919 132.

ENDS

For more information:
Andrew Baud, andrew.baud@talapr.co.uk, 020 3397 3383 or 07775 715775
Kate Habberley, kate.habberley@talapr.co.uk, 020 3397 3383 or 07943 333362

Notes to Editors

McCarthy & Stone is Britain’s leading builder of retirement apartments, responsible for the construction of more than 40,000 homes for more than 45,000 residents.  The company is renowned for its focus on the needs of older people.  

1 McCarthy & Stone has been adjudicated the most outstanding Assisted Living provider in the world in 2011 by The Globals. The Globals are sponsored by the Over 50s Housing Publishing Group which reviews standards and trends in senior housing in over 200 countries every year

2 Housing markets and independence in old age expanding the opportunities: University of Reading, May 2011

About the Consumer Advisory Board

McCarthy & Stone is recruiting five members (one of whom will become chair) for a newly formed non-executive Board.  Members of the Board will be expected to attend two meetings in the first two months and quarterly thereafter.  

Meetings will take place from 10am to 2pm in London or Bournemouth or a mutually convenient location.  The five members of the public will be broadly demographically representative of older people in the UK.  One member will be a current McCarthy & Stone scheme resident. The chair will be appointed by the company from the five successful applicants.

Applications to the Board must be made by email or post, through completing a two-page form.  The form is available from www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk, on 0800 919 132 or by calling in to any McCarthy & Stone sales office.

Applicants will need to:
-   Have a clear contextual understanding of the societal issues relating to older people
-   Demonstrate an interest in the lifestyles, finances and care of older people
-   Participate in a debate about the challenges of an ageing population
-   Challenge establish thinking about what life in retirement is like and how people should live and be supported
-   Act as a champion for older people
-   Provide comment on McCarthy & Stone’s research, reports and its products and services
-   Use email and have some general computer proficiency (training will be offered)
Members of the Board may be asked to participate in two other external events per annum at which they will represent the views of the Board.   They may also be used in other public relations activity, including speaking to the media, on up to one further day per annum.

The recruitment drive is being supported by advertising in The Times, The Daily Telegraph and through social media.