Celebrating a Milestone in Ageing Innovation!
CommonAge was honoured to host the CommonAge “Living Well – Ageing Well” Innovation Challenge Expert Roundtable on 13 June 2025 at Marlborough House in London.
On June 13, experts convened at Marlborough House in London for the inaugural Living Well – Ageing Well Innovation Challenge Expert Roundtable. This collaborative event, organized by CommonAge in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, Innovate UK, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), the Commonwealth Foundation, and Standards Wise International, brought together thought leaders, investors, and policymakers from across the Commonwealth.
The primary objective was to explore innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by ageing populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and Small Island Developing States.
Innovation at the Forefront
A key highlight of the roundtable was the presentation of a proposal by CommonAge to establish a £50 million innovation fund. This fund aims to support scalable, high-impact solutions in health, housing, technology, and social care, with a particular focus on LMICs and Small Island Developing States. The initiative seeks to harness innovation to create age-friendly environments that enable older adults to lead active, independent, and fulfilling lives.
Commitment to Inclusive Societies
The round-table concluded with a shared commitment among participants to build inclusive, age-friendly societies across the Commonwealth. Recognizing the diverse needs and challenges faced by older populations, especially in resource-constrained settings, the event emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to develop and implement solutions that promote healthy ageing.
The following distinguished individuals present at the round table represent a broad spectrum of leadership across sectors including ageing, healthcare, public policy, and international development. Among them are Andrew Larpent, Founder and Chair (Emeritus) of CommonAge; Mansur Dalal, Chair of CommonAge; and David Stevens, CEO of StandardsWise International. Key figures from the UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge include George McGinnis, Director UK Health Ageing Challenge and Dr. Cynthia Bullock, Deputy Director UK Health Ageing Challenge alongside Nadra Ahmed, Co-Chair of the National Care Association and CommonAge Director, and leaders such as Rianna Patterson, Youth Chapter Leader of CommonAge.
International organizations were well represented with Cherian Mathews, Chief Executive and James Hardiman, Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships from HelpAge International; Ann Keeling, Chair of the Board and Ken Bluestone, Head of Policy and Influencing from Age International; and Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo, Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Arif Zaman, Executive Director of CBWN; Shem Ochola, Deputy Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation. Nicholas Greenwood, a Commercial Analyst with the Government of Alberta, and Marcel Le Roux, Strategic Engagement Manager at IOSH. Representing Rotary International and the Commonwealth of Nations was Judith Diment, while Thilini Ekanayake, Chief People Officer, and Niro Cooke, Senior Advisor, attended on behalf of ShoreTree Holdings. From the UK government, Huw MacDonald of the Department for Health and Social Care and Neil Ebenezer of the Department for Business and Trade participated, along with Mila Lukic, Partner and Head of Outcomes Partnerships at Bridges Outcomes Partnerships. Tim Dillon, serving as the Agent General to the United Kingdom for the Government of Victoria, was also present. Additionally, Ndungo Thomas Lekunze represented the Hydrocarbon Price Stabilisation Fund.
Other notable participants include Simon Hopkins, CEO of Milltrust International, Milla Marinova, CEO of R8er, Robbie Lyle, Director of the Commonwealth Insurance Forum, and senior advisors and executives from governments and private sectors across the Commonwealth, such as Alison Cork, Entrepreneur; Pamela O’Leary, Board Member of CWEIC, and Sarva Ameresekere, Group Chairman of George Steuart & Co.
This gathering at Marlborough House marks a significant step towards shaping a cross-sector, pan-Commonwealth response to the ageing demographic. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the Commonwealth aims to ensure that older individuals are not only living longer but are also empowered to live well.