Knowing me, knowing you

Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your current role?

My name is Tade Muyiwa-George and I’m the Partnerships Manager at ARCO (the main body representing the UK Integrated Retirement Community sector) and co-founder and Chair of Women in Retirement Living (WiRL), a not-for-profit organisation that aims to elevate and empower women working in the sector.

My role at ARCO involves overseeing the delivery of ARCO’s commercial partnership programme with responsibility for building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders in the sector. Having joined ARCO over five years ago, it was clear that the sector was not a true representation of society particularly diverse across a wide range of underrepresented groups, and so I developed a keen interest in diversifying and subsequently adding value to the sector.

A big part of this was starting up WiRL with a lovely group of women working across the sector, which ARCO has been hugely supportive of. It started with the aim of creating a safe space through networking, events and sharing our knowledge of the sector. We had our launch in December 2023, with more events coming throughout the year, as well as a mentoring scheme starting in the Autumn.

How did your career path lead you to the industry?

Like most people, I fell into the sector by chance. I studied business and management at university with a post-grad in event management. I found my way round a few roles and sectors including a stint in Nigeria and at an investment bank.

From there, I got a diploma in international etiquette and protocol in Switzerland, then started a small business providing various etiquette services and summer camp for children , before moving back to London.

I’ve had quite an unorthodox route into the industry, to say the least!

Although it was incredibly varied, what it did give me was a wide range of experience across different cultures and industries, which has put me in good stead.

And then I found ARCO! I didn’t even know the later-living sector existed in the UK or what that might look like, but it was welcomed following my experience in Nigeria, where society has a greater emphasis on collectively caring for older people.

The ups and downs

What has been the most impactful project you’ve worked on or the project you’re most proud of?

While it is very much early days and I’m not sure if it counts, but can I say I am quite proud of WiRL and the potential it brings to empower women and other underrepresented groups whether in engaging new talent or elevating existing talent in the UK retirement living sector.

With the projected growth and increased interest in the retirement living sector (such as with a new generation of older people’s housing and Integrated Retirement Communities), we believe representation and inclusion matters for the sector to reach its full potential – this produces an opportunity for an organisation like WiRL to help cultivate the right environment to do so. We’ve already secured successful partnerships, sponsorships and support from leading organisations across the sector, which shows people are genuinely interested in what we’re doing and continuing the sometimes-difficult conversations about the make-up of our industry. We’re hopeful that it can attract a wide diversity of new talent and deliver parity and growth in the sector.

What’s been the biggest challenge you have faced in your career and how did you overcome it?

I’ve sometimes struggled to find my place and purpose, having changed career, and as I didn’t get a skilled trade. However, I’ve realised over time that knowledge and experience from a wide range of sectors has its benefits and that a lack of specific sector knowledge in the outset is not always a bad thing, as it allows you to challenge the norms.

Embarking on my new career, I found navigating the sector alongside the balance of becoming a wife and a mother, to be challenging. There was often a feeling of needing to overcompensate to catchup, but I continue to overcome this by finding my place and purpose which stems from continuous learning and curiosity.

I also find that most people are winging it and in a similar boat. And if anything, living through Covid was a reminder not to sweat the small stuff and enjoy the important things (or what’s most important to you) in life.

Trend setter

What do you see as the current trends shaping the IRC sector?

The UK, and later living sector as a result, is facing a population boom of over 65s, which we’re not currently equipped to deal with as a country. According to research conducted, 50,000 new homes for older people are required to be built annually to accommodate the UK’s aging population – in addition to the 7,000 currently built annually.

This is why we need the growth of (mid-market) IRCs now to prepare for this and so we can probably expect to continue to see an increased appetite from home and abroad as a result. As IRCs can reduce the burden on the NHS and free up the housing ladder, they are the solution to so many of society’s impending issues including the health and care crises.

Another trend may be the rise in the over 65s renting culture. The cost-of-living crisis has impacted on this demographic group too, and we see more investors and operators offering rental as a tenure option.

What are the biggest challenges you feel the sector is facing?

Inflation would be one with the cost is one which I know affects most in today’s world. The increase in developing these schemes and the cost of services provided is naturally a challenge that doesn’t escape our sector.

As someone coming into the retirement living sector fresh, I do think that the education and awareness of the sector on what an IRC is, poses a big challenge our sector faces and perhaps threatens to act as a hindrance to its growth.

Additionally, the planning framework we operate in could probably do with being simplified. I am no expert on this, but there are so many misconceptions about IRCs which we have seen lead to misunderstandings and then unnecessary delays in the system. Despite a considerable appetite to speed up the growth of the sector, many developments are said to have been put on hold whilst the current climate plays out. To the wider sector, there is a great need for appropriate housing for older people (after all they’ve contributed to society). They should not be made to feel invisible or an afterthought, but rather be included in the discussion – after all, if we are all lucky enough, we will age one day ourselves. And so, we all have a responsibility to support and encourage people to live independently for as long as possible.

Cultural highlights

Name one film/television series, book, podcast/radio show, or song/album you like and why.

I’m really into periodic dramas but especially Korean dramas at the moment. I’m currently watching Under the Queen’s Umbrella.

One celebrity (dead or alive) that you’d like to have dinner with and why.

Josephine Baker! She was so ahead of her time to be who she was in her era, so would be an interesting one.