Shifting Demographics in Asia: Preparing for an Age of Longevity

An Asia House Roundtable in partnership with Prudential

According to London Business School professors Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott in their seminal 2016 book The 100-Year Life, with longer lifespans, the world is shifting away from a traditional three-stage life of education, work and retirement towards a multistage life, with transitions and breaks in between. This breakdown could however have a significant impact on existing social institutions such as education, health and pensions. At the same time, longevity could be a powerful market driver, as well as a gift for individuals – as Lynda and Andrew suggest, it could be seen as a precious extension of life that makes time for more experiences, multiple careers, richer relationships and greater possibilities for self-actualisation.

Drawing inspiration from The 100-Year Life, Prudential Singapore commissioned the Economist Intelligence Unit to examine the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for Singapore, which has a rapidly ageing population. The research, titled Ready for 100: Preparing for Longevity in Singapore, concludes that for rising longevity to be a positive experience, people in Singapore need to build strength in the areas of supportive relationships, health and wellness, financial stability, and work.  The issue of longevity is also particularly pertinent for Asia, whose population is ageing faster than anywhere else in the world.

In this roundtable discussion, Andrew Scott, Professor of Economics at London Business School and co-author of The 100-Year Life, Wilfred Blackburn, CEO and Director of the Board of Prudential Assurance Company Singapore, and Catherine Foot, Director of Evidence at the Centre for Ageing Better, will share their insights on longevity and what can be done at the individual and societal levels to prepare for this important change.

Speakers:

Wilf Blackburn assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Prudential Singapore) in November 2016.

Wilf is an industry veteran with close to three decades of diverse experience, having worked in seven countries in Asia. He joined Prudential in 2012 and led new market initiatives prior to his appointment as CEO of Prudential Vietnam in July 2014. His work included overseeing the launch of Prudential’s business operations in Cambodia and the establishment of Prudential’s representative office in Myanmar and Laos.

Prior to joining Prudential, Wilf was with Allianz, during which his roles included Regional GM, Life & Health Insurance for Asia and CEO of their joint venture companies in China, Thailand and the Philippines.

Andrew Scott is Professor of Economics at London Business School having previously held positions at Harvard, London School of Economics and Oxford.

He has published widely in leading international academic journals and his book, The Hundred Year Life, is an international bestseller having been published in 14 languages and received several awards.

He has advised a range of governments including serving as Non Executive Director for the UK’s Financial Services Authority. He is currently on the advisory board of the UK’s Office for Budget Responsibility, a member of the Cabinet Office Honours Committee (Science and Technology) and co-founder of The Longevity Forum.

Catherine Foot jointly leads the Centre for Ageing Better’s work to build the evidence of what works to support people to enjoy later life. A researcher and policy analyst by background, her previous roles include Assistant Director of Policy at The King’s Fund and Head of Policy at Cancer Research UK.

This is an invitation-only event.  To register your interest in attending, please e-mail Aini Abdullah, Business and Policy Programme Assistant, at aini.abdullah@asiahouse.co.uk.