Retail guru Mary Portas is to set up Britain‘s first ever employment agency for the over-65s as part of a new show for Channel 4, it has been announced today.
In a brand new series entitled ‘Mary‘s Jobs for Life‘ which is to air on the channel later this year, Portas will create a new business aimed at recruitment of “Britain‘s often overlooked and under-valued pensioners”, according to a statement from Channel 4.
Helping candidates find roles across catering, building, childcare and beauty, Portas also believes that jobseekers could be helped to set up their own business, allowing greater flexibility.
Prior to this venture, Portas had sought to rejuvenate the UK retail sector after being commissioned by the Government to lead a review of the future of the high street and there are now 27 Portas Pilots and 330 Town Centre partners across the country working to develop retail offerings on a local community level.
Commissioning Editor of Channel 4, Rich Evans, said that Portas‘ strong experience as a brand expert and marketer will help to draw attention to OAP‘s who still have much to offer.
“I can‘t wait to see Mary bring the agency to life in her own, inimitable style,” Evans said.
“She passionately wants to give the older generation the opportunity to go on providing the services and skills sadly lacking in today‘s marketplace.”
