SOLLA Later Life Conference 2026

Tuesday 6th October 2026 
Registration from 9.30am | Starts 10am | Finishes 4.30pm | Drinks reception 4.30pm - 5.30pm  
Westminster Central Hall, London 

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This year’s conference brings together leading experts to explore how communication with older clients must evolve as they age. Understanding and processing new information can naturally take longer in later life. This is not a sign of diminished intellect, but rather a reflection of normal age-related changes that can affect how information is understood and decisions are made. As a result, the way choices are presented, and the support offered during decision making, may need to adapt accordingly.

Communication in later life remains an often overlooked area within advice settings. SOLLA has consistently focused on improving these conversations, developing practical strategies, strengthening communication skills, and supporting advisers to work confidently with clients, their families and attorneys, whilst always keeping the clients wishes at the centre of every conversation.  

This also opens up discussions that many still find difficult to initiate, event though clients themselves may express such sentiments as, “I’m not as sharp as I used to be.”

Speakers

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Professor Catherine Loveday (Professor of Neuropsychology, University of Westminster) 
Professor Debora Price (Professor of Social Gerontology, University of Manchester) 
Ian Macara (Senior Partner, JE Bennet Law and OPG Public Guardian) 
Nadra Ahmed CBE (Executive Co-Chairman, National Care Association) 
Steve Webb (Partner at Pension Consultants LCP and former Minister of State for Pensions) 
Tish Hanifan (Founder and Joint Chair, Society of Later Life Advisers) 

Costs 

Members: Early bird (book by 31st July) £249  |  Full price (from 1st August) £299 

Non-members: Early bird (book by 31st July) £299  |  Full price (from 1st August) £349 

Book your place now!

 

Previous Conferences 

SOLLA Later Life Conference 
Tuesday 8th October 2024

SOLLA were delighted to return to Central Hall Westminster, London for the 2024 SOLLA Later Life conference. We were joined by an array of expert speakers who  lead a fascinating discussion on the topic of #BetterConversations. 

Speakers: 

  • Nadra Ahmend: CBE DL, Chairman, National Care Association  
  • Melissa Kidd: Financial Communications Expert, Motem 
  • Rachel Pease: Director, Mash Marketing 
  • David Sinclair: COE, International Longevity Centre, UK 
  • Steve Webb: Former Minister of State for Pensions  

Plus input and insight from Lord David Lipsey (Labour Peer and Honorary President of SOLLA), Tish Hanifan (Founder and Joint Chair of SOLLA) and Peter Barnett (Independent Consultant and SOLLA Advisory Board Chair) 

SOLLA National Conference 
Tuesday 18th October 2022

The 2022 SOLLA National Conference was the first SOLLA national gathering since the pandemic, returing again to Central Hall Westminster for a fabulous day. The event was opened and chaired by Lord Lipsey, Labour Peer and Honorary President of SOLLA and Tish Hanifan, Founder and Joint Chair of SOLLA, along with Jane Finnerty (Co-chair of SOLLA) and Peter Barnett (SOLLA Advisory Board Chair). 

Speakers:

  • The Rt Hon. Lord Willetts FRS is the President of the Resolution Foundation 
  • Professor Catherine Loveday, University of Westminster 
  • Rachel Pease, Head of Marketing, Pure Retirement 
  • Nadra Ahmed OBE, Chairman of the National Care Association 
  • Veronica Gray, Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Policy, Hourglass 

Later Life Conference  
Tuesday 9th October 2018

SOLLA returned to the magnificent Central Hall Westminster for this key event for those engaged in advising older people. Subjects discussed incldued: Why do we lose confidence as we age? How does a decline in physical and cognitive ability impact on wellbeing and can lead to vulnerability? How can clients access the right kind of advice? There is a world of difference among those that find good advice leaving some much better prepared, empowered and more resilient in later life. The conference will look at what the future holds, how public policy might address the needs of an ageing population, the importance of addressing vulnerability and the difference access to good advice makes and the latest industry developments.

Speakers: 

  • Jules Constantinou – President of the Institute of Actuaries, Director Gen Re
  • Yvonne Braun – Director of Policy, Long Term Savings and Protectionf Association of British Insurers
  • David Burrowes – Chair, Equity Release Council
  • Nadra Ahmed OBE – Chair, National Care Association
  • Baroness Ros Altman CBE – Leading authority on later life issues, social care and retirement policy 

Happy Healthy Wealthy Wise: Helping the Boomers to Bloom
Tuesday 11th October 2016

The Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) welcomed over 160 of its accredited Later Life advisers and guests to its 2016 conference in central London.  The event was opened and chaired by Lord Lipsey, Labour Peer and Honorary President of SOLLA and Tish Hanifan, Founder and Joint Chair of SOLLA. The conference focussed on the need for advice to achieve a 'Happy, Healthy, Wealthy and Wise' later life. Speakers also highlighted the critical challenges facing the Later Life agenda over the coming years.

Speakers:

  • Dr Chris Ball, Life/Health Consulting Medical Officer, GenRe - Geriatic specialist and author of many publications on physical and mental health issues as clients age.
  • Professor Keith Brown, Bournemouth University. Author of the Financial Scamming Guide and specialist adviser to the government on older people and financial abuse
  • Professor Martin Green, Chief Executive of Care England and Visiting Professor of Social Care to Buckinghamshire New Univserity
  • Bernie Hickman, L&G Managing Director of Individual Retirement, advocate for better Later Life Housing and innovation
  • Vivienne Mann, Senior Associate, Ageing Population Strategy, FCA
  • Michael Switsur, Strategy and Aging Society State Pension Policy, Department for Work and Pensions. Leading on the new State Pension introduced April 2016
  • Steve Webb – Head of policy, Royal London, and former Pensions Minister

Really value-for-money, a genuinely stimulating and rewarding event.

The Value of Advice
January 2013

Around 100 SOLLA members, advisers, and others working in the later life financial market gathered to look at the issues around the value of advice.

Speakers:

  • Colin Dutkiewicz - Europe, Middle East & Africa Director, SwissRe Services Ltd
  • Norman Lamb MP - Minster of State for Care and Support, Department of Health
  • Peter Hay CBE - Strategic Director Adults & Communities, Birmingham City Council
  • Liz Kendal MP - Shadow Minister for Care and Older People
  • Lord Warner - Labour Peer and fellow Commissioner of the Dilnot Commission Funing of Care and Support
  • Les Mayhew - Professor of Statistics Cass Business School
  • Sarah Thwaites - Deputy CEO Financial Skills Partnership

Just heading back on the train after the annual SOLLA conference and I thought I would take the opportunity to thank everyone at SOLLA for such an inspiring day. It certainly demonstrates what a responsible role we all have in being aware of the diverse range of needs of our clients. I cannot imagine how I would be able to operate in this highly demanding yet immensely rewarding area of planning without the support of SOLLA.