Economist, policy expert and consumer champion Ros Altmann CBE has been appointed by the government as its ‘business champion for older workers’.
The appointment was announced on Friday (11 July) by Steve Webb MP, minister for Work and Pensions.
He said the creation of the role marked the latest step in the government’s drive to support over-50s in the UK labour market.
Last month the government published a reporter, Fuller Working Lives - A Framework For Action, which set out the benefits to individuals, business and the economy as a whole of people aged between 50 and state pension age staying in work.
Ms Altmann - a former director-general of Saga and independent expert on later life issues will be tasked with making the case for older workers within the business community and challenging outdated perceptions.
Ms Altmann said: “Too many people write themselves off when they are still young, fit and healthy, just because there is a social norm that retirement should mean stopping work completely somewhere around age 60 or 65. This means they waste their talents and experience and they also miss out on the benefits of working longer.
Mr Webb said: “Older workers have a huge amount to bring to any workforce and are a vast, untapped talent in the UK labour market. The business case is compelling and I am delighted that Ros will now be taking a lead in going out and making that case directly to the business community.”
Baroness Greengross, chief executive of the International Longevity Centre-UK, said: “Without more older workers active in the workplace there are significant risks for UK plc that we will not have the workforce or skills we need to be a competitive nation. Businesses must wake up to the challenge of extending working lives.
