Silver Economy Forum 2025: Ageing Population Economic Opportunity in the UK

Mike Mansfield
Nov 20
4 min read

Updated: Dec 2

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Silver Economy Forum 2025 (SEF 2025) in Manchester. This powerful gathering brought together global leaders, policy-makers, investors, and innovators. They united around the theme of “Age-Friendly Cities: Reimagining Life, Work and Community.” The forum was convened by the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. It generated ideas and momentum that align with ProAge's mission: helping businesses embrace workplace age inclusion and assisting local authorities in harnessing the “silver economy” of older workers and citizens.

Here are some key takeaways and reflections on how they feed into ProAge’s work, partnerships, and ambitions for the year ahead.

1. Cities as the Frontline of the Silver Economy

The forum opened with a strong message: age-friendly cities are not merely a social policy aspiration. They are economic powerhouses in the making.

This matters for ProAge because workplace age inclusion is part of a broader ecosystem. It encompasses transport, housing, neighbourhoods, lifelong learning, and employment opportunities that span the life course. In Manchester, I heard vivid examples of how aligning these pieces can create meaningful impacts for older workers, employers, and communities.

ProAge takeaway: The case we make for businesses and councils should increasingly emphasise that workplace age inclusion is part of a city-wide strategy, not just HR policy. When local authorities discuss “age-friendly cities,” they should also view their employers and older workforce as vital partners in delivering that vision.

2. The Silver Economy: Innovation, Opportunity & Shared Impact

Across both days, the Forum underscored how the Silver Economy is reshaping global economic thinking. It emphasises that longer lives are transforming not only who lives in our cities but also how our economies function.

A standout discussion on Day One featured Catherine Collinson, who articulated that longer lives are rewriting the rules of the global economy. From labour markets and retirement systems to healthcare, productivity, and social infrastructure, the implications of ageing run deep. This panel explored how longevity can fuel economic growth, influence public policy, and catalyse a more forward-looking approach to 21st-century economic planning.

Day Two built on this momentum with a discussion on age-friendly investments. I was pleased to join a panel moderated by Ian Philp, alongside Sydney Hughes (SeniorProof), Peter Mangan (Freebird Club), and Alan Pitcher (EssilorLuxottica / Nuance Audio). Each offered different perspectives on how innovation meets the needs of an ageing society. Together, we reflected on how safer homes, community-building platforms, and inclusive tech solutions are becoming mainstream. They shape markets that work for people of all ages.

My contribution centred on helping organisations prepare for an ageing workforce. Moving age inclusion onto the board agenda requires reframing it from a DEI “nice-to-have” to a strategic business imperative. Research we conducted with Brave Starts illustrates the gap clearly:

Employers rate the importance of preparing for an ageing workforce at 7 out of 10.
Their strategic readiness is only 4 out of 10.

Closing this gap means supporting organisations to build a clear business case grounded in productivity, retention, skills, and long-term workforce resilience. The innovations highlighted by the panel reinforced this: age-friendly design and age-inclusive practice strengthen businesses, communities, and the wider economy.

ProAge takeaway: The Silver Economy conversation provides a powerful platform to show employers that age inclusion is a core economic opportunity. By linking our work to growth, innovation, and labour market resilience, we position age inclusion where it belongs — at the heart of organisational strategy. This aligns closely with the innovations showcased by my fellow panellists, all demonstrating how age-friendly design benefits people of all ages.

3. Local Authority & Employer Collaboration is Essential

Given our work targeting councils and local authorities (and their employer networks), a standout insight from SEF 2025 was the explicit role of local government and cities in driving change.

Leadership from city-level government can enable employer action, infrastructure, lifelong learning, and older-worker engagement.

ProAge takeaway: ProAge can play a unique bridging role between employers and local authorities. We help regions translate their age-friendly ambitions into practical steps employers can take. Our work strengthens both sides: councils aiming to boost older-worker participation and organisations seeking to retain experience and skills.

4. Final Thoughts

Attending the 2025 Silver Economy Forum in Manchester was a timely moment for ProAge. It reinforced that age inclusion is no longer a niche HR concern. It is integral to economic growth, city strategy, investor confidence, and workforce planning.

For older workers, flexible working, experience, and motivation are not just beneficial to them. They are strategic to employers and communities.

I’m excited to bring the energy, insights, and global momentum from SEF 2025 into our work in the months ahead. We aim to turn high-level ideas into meaningful action.

The Future of Age-Friendly Cities

As we look forward, the concept of age-friendly cities must evolve. It should focus on creating environments that support older adults in every aspect of life. This includes not only employment but also social engagement, healthcare access, and community involvement.

Building Inclusive Communities

To build truly inclusive communities, we must engage all stakeholders. This includes local governments, businesses, and non-profit organisations. Collaboration is key. By working together, we can create spaces that are accessible and welcoming to people of all ages.

The Role of Technology

Technology plays a crucial role in shaping age-friendly cities. Innovations in smart city design can enhance the quality of life for older adults. From health monitoring systems to community engagement platforms, technology can bridge gaps and foster connections.

Lifelong Learning Opportunities

Lifelong learning is essential in an age-friendly city. It empowers older adults to stay engaged and active. Educational programs should be accessible and tailored to the needs of older learners. This not only benefits individuals but also enriches the community as a whole.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Silver Economy Forum 2025 highlighted the importance of age-friendly cities. These cities are not just beneficial for older adults; they are essential for the entire community. By embracing age inclusion, we can create a brighter future for everyone.

I look forward to implementing the insights gained from SEF 2025 into our initiatives. Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of older adults and the communities they inhabit.