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REFIREMENT LIVE
Rewriting the Rules

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THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM - BIRMINGHAM

Friday 17th April 2026.  9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

A Celebration of Power, Possibility, and Purpose in Later Life Entrepreneurship. 

Challenging norms, rewriting narratives, and setting a global agenda for

thriving beyond midlife

CONFERENCE AGENDA

9:30 – 9.45 am:   Welcome & Celebration of Refirement’s journey and mission:

Wendy Garcarz

9.45 – 10.15 am:  Keynote Speaker:  “The power of later life entrepreneurship”

Elizabeth Gooch MBE

Elizabeth is an award-winning UK tech entrepreneur. She was named as one of The Telegraph’s ‘Most Disruptive Entrepreneurs’ and named West Midlands Woman of the Year for her ‘Outstanding Contribution to Technology’. She was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s jubilee birthday honours in 2012, in recognition of her achievements in delivering significant benefits for clients with the products she designed. Following the acquisition of eg solutions plc, Elizabeth founded The Tech Growth Factory. Acting as Non-Executive Director, Investing Director, Coach or Mentor she now assists the founders of UK Tech Start-Ups and Scale-Ups to achieve their growth potential.

10.15 – 10.30 am 

Launch of our new URL www.refirement.world

10.30 – 11.00 am

Coffee & Networking

11.00 – 12.00 am

Learning Zones Sessions 1 and 2:  Choose Your Workshops

(Attendees may choose any two of four 25 minute sessions)

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12.00 - 1.15 pm - Networking Lunch

"Curated Conversations"

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  • Themed tables (Finance, Partnership, Scaling, Social Impact) with table hosts to facilitate introductions and idea-sharing.

1.15 - 1.30 pm

“Open Mic” 2-minute pitches of ideas or asks from participants

1.30 - 2.00 pm

Panel Discussion: “Setting the Agenda – Later Life Innovation”

A lively discussion with diverse voices:

 

  • An investor who backs older founders 

  • A social innovator

  • A founder with a disruptive business

  • A representative from a global longevity think tank

 

> Moderated with audience interaction, crowd-sourced questions via an app.

2.00 - 2.30 pm

Accredited programme launch. Presented by Wendy Garcarz

2.30 - 3.00 pm

Learning Zone Session 3 – Attend Another Workshop

Choose your final session

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3.10 – 3.45 pm

Networking & Coffee

3.45 – 4.15 pm

Closing Celebration: “Power, Purpose, Partnership”

  • Inspirational closing remarks

  • Call to action for ongoing collaboration and movement-building

Additional Experience Elements:

 

  • Refirement Wall of Fame: Celebrate standout entrepreneurs in your network.

  • Podcast Booth: Attendees can record their “Refirement moment” or business insight.

  • Live Artwork creation: A visual record of the day’s insights and intentions. (Bev Skitt)

  • Goodie Bag on exit: Practical tools (journals, books, sponsor perks) aligned with the workshops.

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