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 

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.”

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!

Speakers

We are delighted to be joined by leading experts who will explore the key issues shaping later life advice:  

Nadra Ahmed CBE
Executive Co-Chairman, National  Care Association 

Nadra Ahmed CBE has chaired the NCA since 2001 and has over 43 years’ experience in social care, previously managing two private care services. She has served on numerous government taskforces, including through Covid, becoming a respected voice of social care. Nadra is Deputy Lord Lieutenant and Kent Ambassador and was High Sheriff of Kent in 2023/24. Awarded an OBE in 2006 and a CBE in 2023 for services to social care, she has been a trustee of various charities and speaks at national and international conferences, and founded the Providers Unite movement, representing over 4,500 members.

Tish Hanifan 
Founder and Joint Chair, Society of Later Life Advisers 

Tish Hanifan is a barrister, and Founder and Joint Chair of the Society of Later life Advisers. She has worked extensively in the areas of policy development, financial, legal training and advice delivery in relation to older people. Her areas of expertise encompass the retirement market and how policy impacts on retirement and care. Tish has worked with government departments and a variety of third sector and private organisations in developing and supporting good practice in relation to older and vulnerable clients. She was particularly involved with the implementation and delivery of the Care Act 2014 and sat on two working parties at the Department of Health which contributed to drafting parts of the legislation. She is Vice Chair of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) in her home county of Kent, a Founder Member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly SFE) for which she is Head of Business Development and a Special Adviser to the
Board of the National Care Association.

Professor Catherine Loveday
Professor of Neuropsychology, University of Westminster 

Catherine Loveday is a Professor of Neuropsychology at the University of Westminster and author of “The Secret World of the Brain”. Her research focusses on the way that memories are formed, accessed and lost, particularly in older age.  She is passionate about wellbeing in older age and was a trustee for Age UK Barnet for 12 years, and is now their expert advisor. As a keen musician, Catherine also has a deep fascination with music in the brain, and her research has also explored the link between music and memory. Catherine is committed to encouraging public engagement with science and appears regularly at festivals, as well as writing for the media and making regular appearances on BBC Radio 4’s All In The Mind and many other radio/TV programmes.  She is the host and creator of Mempathy, a podcast that offers insight into the lived experience of memory loss.

Ian Macara
Senior Partner, EMG Solicitors 

Ian is a Senior Partner and specialist Court of Protection solicitor at national firm, EMG solicitors. Ian is regularly appointed by the Court of Protection to act as Professional Deputy and recommended by other professionals to act as Professional Attorney for both Property and also Health matters for clients. Ian has been on the OPG Panel for 10 years and is accredited as a full member of both STEP (Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners) and ALL (Association of Lifetime Lawyers), and Affiliate Member of SOLLA, and is also on the National Advisory Board for SOLLA. Ian also has significant experience of supporting those with lived experience following diagnosis of a variety of conditions including dementia, bi-polar, schizophrenia, grand delusions and the particular challenges with fluctuating capacity. Ian is a recommended lawyer in The Legal 500.

Professor Debora Price
Professor of Social Gerontology, University of Manchester 

Professor Debora Price is Professor of Social Gerontology at the University of Manchester and Deputy Director of the UK Data Service. Her research focuses on ageing, pensions, and financial decision-making, with particular expertise in later-life financial security and inequality. Her recent work examines gender pension inequalities, and the implications for financial wellbeing of changes in cognitive capacity in later life. A former President of the British Society of Gerontology, she is a member of the Pensions Expert Group advising the Department for Work and Pensions on pensions and later-life financial security, and sits on the Legal & General Longevity Science Panel.

Steve Webb
Partner, Pension Consultants LCP and Former Minister of State for Pensions 

Steve was Minister of State for Pensions between 2010 and 2015. During that time he implemented major reforms to the state pension system, oversaw the successful introduction of automatic enrolment and played a key role in the new pension freedoms implemented in April 2015. He was awarded a knighthood in the New Year’s honours in 2017. Following his time in Parliament he worked for Royal London for four years before joining LCP as a partner in 2020, where he has campaigned successfully to secure an estimated £1 billion in back-payments for over 100,000 women who had been underpaid state pensions. More recently he has been working on innovative ideas for decumulation in DC pensions.

Sponsors 

The following sponsors will be attending the conference, and will be available to speak with you in the exhibition area: 

Aviva 

Helping to unlock your clients’ money for 25 years.
Aviva exists to be with people when it really matters. We help them navigate an uncertain world and to make the most of their lives through our range of flexible products and supporting services. We are deeply invested in our people, customers, communities, and the planet that is our home. By looking out for each other and being part of something bigger, together we create the future we all want to live in.

Aviva have been taking care of people for more than 325 years, but we have been an unbroken presence in the equity release market for 25 years. We understand what’s important to advisers and their customers and use our expertise to give both the best possible outcomes. It takes a partnership. It takes Aviva.

British Friendly 

Helping advisers meet the financial demands of modern life
For over a century, British Friendly has focused on providing financial security for our members. From today’s income protection to tomorrow’s later-life planning, we help advisers deliver peace of mind at every stage of life.

Downing 

Downing is an investment manager with over 35 years’ experience, providing a range of investment solutions designed to meet the needs of institutional investors, advisers and private investors. Based in five offices throughout the UK and Europe, we manage over £2.5 billion (as at 31st Dec 2025) in assets across private and public markets, offering a suite of funds, investment trusts, and tax-efficient products.

Our private market investment focus includes renewable energy, private equity and investments in residential and operating real estate. In public markets, we have a boutique of specialist fund managers that provide a distinctive suite of investment mandates.  Downing is committed to delivering long-term value and attractive opportunities across our investment range. 

Just

We’re one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist financial services solutions, completely focused on meeting the needs of people thinking about, approaching, or in retirement. We have a strong social purpose - a beacon within financial services. We provide products and services that help our customers achieve a better later life and believe that financial intermediaries are best placed to help people with the choices they need to make to achieve this.

There’s more choice than ever for clients who are approaching retirement or already retired. We recognise that as a financial intermediary, you are the architect of your clients’ retirement plans. As the expert, you’re able to consider alternatives and recommend a product mix that provides secure and flexible income to last a lifetime. As a retirement specialist provider, we'll support you with dependable, first-class service.

National Friendly 

National Friendly are a mutual society based in the centre of Bristol but with a national membership. Being a mutual means we're owned by our members, so we always work with their best interests in mind. Established in 1868, we have a long history of looking after people. Throughout our existence we've adapted to various changes in the world, and our products have evolved to meet the needs of our members. 

We offer a wide range of health and protection products, to give peace of mind and financial security to those who need it. Backed by years of experience and a commitment to delivering exceptional service, National Friendly will always be there for you when you need us. 

Premier Miton 

Premier Miton is a genuinely active investment firm prioritising original thinking over conformity. We give our fund managers a ‘blank sheet of paper’ within a robust governance framework to foster truly distinctive ideas. Formed in 2019 from the merger of two historic firms, we provide specialist expertise across equities, fixed income, and multi-asset strategies. Our empowered teams use proven, individual approaches to deliver strong client outcomes.

We are also committed to acting responsibly, managing our environmental impact and nurturing an inclusive culture. At Premier Miton, we believe the real risk isn’t thinking differently, it’s thinking the same as everyone else.

Rathbones

Rathbones Group plc is one of the UK's leading providers of investment and wealth management services. We are proud to operate out of 21 offices across the UK and the Channel Islands, with £113.6bn of assets under management for our clients. Our motivation is simple: to help more people invest their money well, so they can live well. We work in partnership with financial advisers to deliver investment solutions that support clients throughout their financial journey. From accumulation through to decumulation, our services are designed to help advisers build robust retirement propositions and deliver sustainable long-term outcomes.

Whether advisers are looking to outsource portfolio management, enhance their centralised investment proposition, or create tailored retirement income solutions, we offer a range of discretionary investment management and bespoke services to meet differing client needs.

W1M

With £24.4 billion in assets under management (AUM) and a team of c. 370 professionals, W1M specialises in working with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, charities, institutions, and financial advisers. At W1M, Adviser Solutions is built around one simple idea, partnership. We work alongside financial advisers to help deliver consistent, high-quality investment solutions for their clients. With Business Development Managers across the UK, including Scotland and Wales, we provide local, on-the-ground support, combining insight, accessibility and a genuinely collaborative approach.

Our role is to make it easier for you to deliver great client outcomes. We do this through a range of award-winning, multi-asset investment solutions, supported by the technology, reporting and resources you need to reduce administration and focus on your clients.

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. There was also 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).

• 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  

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). 

• The Rt Hon. Lord Willetts FRS - 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.

• 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.

• Dr Chris Ball - Life/Health Consulting Medical Officer, GenRe 
• Professor Keith Brown - Bournemouth University and Author of the Financial Scamming Guide 
• 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,
• Vivienne Mann - Senior Associate, Ageing Population Strategy, FCA
• Michael Switsur - Strategy and Aging Society State Pension Policy, Department for Work and Pensions
• Steve Webb - Head of policy, Royal London, and former Pensions Minister

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.

• 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.